deja vu

http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2005/11/newest_laptop_t.html

I’m not saying it isn’t a threat, I just found that older post regarding the same issue when I was trying to find corroborating info for a post I was working on.

Luscious, valet key doesn’t do much if you have a pass through trunk and seats that don’t require the key.

Regarding LoJack or StopTheft, not sure how much of a *deterrent* it would be. Thieves would have the laptop before they realized (if ever) those things are attached to it. The Craigslist buyer might, but by then the criminal is long gone.

I was kidding.

FYI – the only lock a real thief won’t open is a lock they don’t want to!!!

My car also has a remote trunk opener, but it still keeps the physical lock which overrides the remote when locked with a key. Likewise, my car has a grey valet key that fits in the ignition, but won’t go into the glovebox lock, center console or trunk. Stuff you might want to look for when buying your next car…

But there are two things that really stand out here:

1.) If you’re going somewhere where you KNOW you can’t take your notebook, why the hell are you bringing it along???

2.) And if you still haven’t figured it out yet, installing bios tracking software like LoJack, permanent tamper-proof security tags like StopTheft, using a heavy-duty cable lock to physically secure the unit to a part of the vehicle, using fingerprint log-on, encrypting your hard drive and using a strong bios password will, together, all do a damn good job of deterring a thief from taking your notebook or loosing your precious data.

Take it even further, and you can remove the manufacturer identification labels found on the bottom, blank out the screw heads and do a custom paint job that is unique and easily recognizable.

If after all of that, you still end up loosing your precious device, you are either extremely unlucky or extremely stupid.

Heh heh. For those who live outside of the States: Get your “Loot out of the Boot”.

Hurray for my 97 Civic — no electronic windows, no electronic locks.

‘Course, they could just break the windows… :(

This is another reason to have your computer in a jacket pocket.

I once went to an event at a federal court house. They insisted that everyone check even their cellphones, and they didn’t even give receipts. Some people went to put their stuff in car trunks, but I figured that thieves would know people would be doing so and the parking lot would be a particular risk. I decided to blow off the event since there was no way I was checking my Motion LS800 without even getting a receipt (or even with a receipt for that matter).

I find it interesting that by having a cheap dodge neon without a fancy electronic trunk lock is safer.

Julian, I don’t know what to tell you. I was warned about this by a Houston Police Officer today.

A few years back I remember hearing thieves cruising Disney parking lots and scanning for Bluetooth which many laptops broadcast while sleeping. Though I think the trunks were popped the old fashioned way. And I don’t remember the source, so it could be a myth.

But Julia, check out this article. Food for thought:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/carkey_pr.html

This sounds like an old April Fool’s joke, or even a multi-forwarded nonsense email. Certainly the only reference I can find to such a thing is an old post from jkOnTheRun from 2005 which reads virtually the same as this one.

Also:
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/lockcode.asp

Cheers, Julian

Think twice about that. We’ve warned about this in years past and we’re told it’s really ramping up again. I’ve heard directly in the past from a number of people who have had this very thing happen to them. Nothing worse than going in for a good meal and coming out to find your laptop (and everything on it) gone.

Huh. Whodda thunk? I always just toss my notebook in my truck bed and it’s never been a problem.