The mobility that laptops and notebook computers provide has made it imperative for users to take steps to secure their computers. Over half a million laptops are stolen every year, from cars, coffee shops, college campuses, and hotel rooms. Keeping your laptop or netbook safe involves a combination physical security devices, software and basic everyday strategies. Below are options you can investigate that will help you can do to keep you and your laptop safe from theft, snooping, data loss and help protect you from identity theft.

Security Options To Consider:

1. The most basic physical security device is a laptop security cable. This cable connects to your laptop and secures it to a non-moveable item in your home, office, hotel or conference room.The cables usually have a combination or key lock device, and attach to the security slot found on most notebook computers.
   
   
2. Another physical security device t is a theft protection tab. This tab is use to identify the owner of the computer and to prevent people from trying to resell your stolen . If this tab is removed then it leaves a permanent acid "tattoo" on the laptop.
   
   
3. Biometric devices can also be used to ensure that if your laptop is stolen, it can't be used by someone else. Biometric devices include fingerprint scanners and retinal . These devices can be added to just about any laptop. The fingerprint scanner comes standard on some Toshiba laptops.
   
   
4. Front Door Software's Retriever software can help to get your laptop back if it's lost or stolen. Retriever displays ownership information at startup, and can also report tracking information to the owner if the laptop goes online. Also, if your laptop is stolen, you can login to the Front Door website and enter a lockdown code that will help to protect your information. You can even send a personal message to the thief, or cause an audible "This laptop was stolen!" alarm to be played. Retriever works on XP, Vista, Linux, and Mac OS X. The software has a 90-day free trial, and costs $30 for 3 year license.
   
   
5. Lojack for Laptops is another software-based laptop recovery product. This company provides you with a Theft Team that's actually a licensed private investigation agency. They will work with local law enforcement and Internet Service Providers, using information sent from the stolen computer, to assist local police in recovering your computer. They claim that 3 out of 4 stolen computers with Lojack for Laptops are recovered.
   
   
6. Every laptop should have an up-to-date anti-virus and anti- package installed, to identify and remove malware from your system. And of course, there's the threat of hackers and snoops that attack through viruses and spyware. I use Mc Afee to keep my laptop free from viruses, spyware and other threats.
   
   
7. File encryption is used to protect your data from hackers, thieves and others who may without permission. there are a variety of File encryption software programs.

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Password Security

Take steps to protect your laptop with strong passwords. While it is important to set up a user account password for your laptop you will also want to set up a power-on password. These passwords will prevent unauthorized people from logging in to your computer, or accessing it by using a boot-up disc.

To create your and power-on password you will need to enter your BIOS security set-up menu. This is usually accessed by pressing the Del, F1 or F2 key while your computer is starting up.

Try to use passwords that include a combination of at least eight letters and numbers, and stick to a password rotation schedule that changes your passwords on a regular basis. Make sure you remember the passwords, or you'll lock yourself out!

Here's one other point on passwords, particularly relevant for travelers. If you allow your web browser to store your passwords, and your laptop is stolen, you've given away the keys to the kingdom. Roboform and similar tools can keep all your passwords handy, but with the protection of a master password.