UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Bits & Bytes

Keep Your Portable Electronics Safe

Published in The Aggie on March 1, 2006

By now, you've probably heard about the recent iPod thefts on campus. Students out lounging on the quad, strolling by the dorms, or riding their bikes across campus have fallen victim to thieves who snatch the students' iPods and swiftly escape. With the help of the UC Davis Police Department, we've compiled a list of tips that will help you secure your iPod, as well as other portable electronic gear, from theft.

iPods and Media Players

  • Avoid using the signature white iPod headphones. They're a dead giveaway that you're carrying an iPod.
  • Keep your iPod in your backpack or tucked inside your clothing. Victims of campus robberies carried their iPods in hand or placed them loosely in a sweatshirt pocket.
  • If you stow your iPod in your purse, be sure to keep a secure grip on the bag.
  • If you listen to music while walking or riding your bike, keep one earpiece out of your ear so you can hear what's going on around you.

Laptops

  • Purchase and install anti-theft software. In the event your laptop is stolen, the software will disable many of your computer's functions and/or allow you to track and retrieve the computer. For Mac software, visit apple.com and enter the search terms XTool or Undercover 1.0 software. The programs cost about $75 and $30, respectively. PC users should look into programs like zTrace: (ztrace.com) or The CyberAngel (sentryinc.com), which are priced at $60 each. Caveat: IT Express, the campus computing help desk, doesn't provide support for this software, so you'll need to install and manage it yourself.
  • Do not leave your laptop unattended or in the temporary care of a student who happens to be sitting near you.
  • Purchase locks or cables for use in physically securing your laptop. For products, see Flexguard.com, Securityware.com, or the UC Davis Bookstore Computer Shop.
  • Get insurance. Whether your laptop is stolen or severely damaged by weather or accident, insurance can come in handy. Visit Safeware.com or consult your preferred insurance company for more information.
  • Try carrying your laptop in a briefcase, padded backpack, or piece of luggage. Thieves are more likely to target a laptop in a computer carrying case.
  • Purchase and affix a STOP label. Created by StopTheft.com, the labels are permanently attached to your laptop and feature a police-registered tracking number. They eliminate the likelihood of resale-a thief's primary way of profiting from a stolen item.

If we haven't covered ways to protect your favorite portable gadgets, don't worry. The abovementioned tips can be applied to a wide range of portable electronics; for instance, you can affix a STOP tag to your PDA or utilize the iPod precautions with any type of portable device.

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