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Keeping Your Laptop Safe While Travelling
If you have to travel frequently on company business, then chances
are you'll have to bring a laptop with you. Many people who have to
bring laptops while they travel feel they have a target painted on
their backs, as in addition to the ordinary hazards of travelling -
lost luggage, pickpockets, scams - they also have to worry about an
expensive, company-issued laptop. Here are a few tips to help you
protect your laptop without stressing yourself out too much during
your travels:
Buy The Right Bag
Invest in a bag you're comfortable carrying, as the more
uncomfortable it is, the more likely you'll put it down and give a
snatch thief a chance to grab it. The most common type of laptop bag
is a sling bag, which dangles from a shoulder on a wide (preferably
padded) strap. This style is preferred by executives who travel
often and lightly. Others, especially those with larger, heavier
laptops, prefer a back-pack style bag, as the weight is evenly
distributed on the shoulders. Another advantage of the back-pack
style bags is that they are often styled to look like the normal
college student rucksacks, making it less obvious to thieves that
they might contain valuable electronics. If you are particularly
safety conscious, these bags may be a worthwhile investment.
Lock the Laptop Bag
In moments of confusion, daring and light-fingered thieves have been
known to open up a laptop bag and make off with the goods inside
without the passenger ever noticing the theft. More dangerously, an
easily opened bag makes it possible for someone else to slip
something inside the bag for an unsuspecting passenger to bring onto
the plane, and then steal the bag later to retrieve their property.
Keeping the bag locked is an easy way to prevent either
circumstance.
Don't Draw Attention To The Laptop
If at all possible, try not to use the laptop during transit in the
airport or in-flight. If you need to use the laptop while waiting at
the airport, try and find as quiet an area as possible. If this is
not possible, try and at least have your back to a wall, or position
yourself such that it would be difficult for someone to look over
your shoulder.
Never Leave It Out Of Your Sight
The cardinal rule is: never let the laptop bag out of your sight. If
you go to the washroom, take it in with you. If airport security or
customs requires you to set it down and take a seat yourself, then
keep a sharp eye on it at all times. If you're waiting in a quiet
area of the airport and you're tired of holding the laptop bag, you
might feel safe enough to take it off and set it on the ground - but
if possible, keep the bag in close or direct physical contact with
you and sit in a place where you can see anyone who approaches you.
In a particularly busy area, where there are lots of people crowding
around you, don't put the laptop down, even on your feet, for a
moment, as there have been cases of thieves snatching bags resting
against a passenger's leg and disappearing into the crowd without
even being noticed.
Don't Check It Into The Cargo Hold
Don't ever check a laptop in with your other baggage; baggage
handlers do not expect expensive electronics in the cargo and will
not treat it delicately; if the bag does survive the baggage
handlers, it may not survive the cold temperatures and pressure
changes in the cargo hold. Also, if you can help it, don't store it
in the overhead storage area in the cabin; it could get knocked
around or taken by someone else.
Passing Through Customs and Security Checks...
Passing your laptop through the X-ray machine at the security
checkpoints will not harm your computer, as the magnetic field
generated is not powerful enough to damage your hard drive. A metal
detector however, will cause damage. If required to submit to a
metal detector scan, politely ask the security guard to do a visual
check of the laptop rather than using the metal detector.
Both the customs and airport security officials may request that you
turn on your laptop to check that it is a fully functioning computer
(this is entirely within their rights). It may be a good idea to
keep your battery charged and your laptop on suspend mode during
passage through the airport, to make the security check easier and
faster.
Proving It's Your Laptop...
if you bring in more than one laptop, or what the Customs deems to
be excessive equipment, you may want to bring some sort of
documentation or proof that the extra equipment is necessary for
your legitimate business, as they may otherwise conclude that you
intend to sell the additional items. Customs may also take a special
interest in you if you bring more than one laptop (or any other
electronic gear) out of the country. If you brought all your
equipment in, be sure to keep all the correct Customs documentation
as proof of ownership; if you purchased any equipment while
travelling, be sure to keep the original receipts as proof of
purchase. If you cannot produce any documentation for the equipment,
you may still need to pay duty and taxes on any items purchased
while travelling.
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