My insurance will cover such thefts. Beside of that I think that my employer should hook me up with computer equipment any ways. I think it's ridiculous to have to bring your own computer with me to work! I once got my iPod stolen when I turned away from the table for half minute to get book from the bookcase. I was less then 2 meters away from it, they didn't steal my notebook....
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MB Air - No Security Slot??
- Thread starter Toe
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No Security Slot
1. There are a lot of coffee shops in collegiate areas where there is a lot of studying going on...I have always felt safe leaving my computer set up while I go to the bathroom. But, I wouldn't leave an iPhone or something...and maybe the same holds true with the MacBook Air.
2. Is that a MacBook Air, or are you just happy to see me?
1. There are a lot of coffee shops in collegiate areas where there is a lot of studying going on...I have always felt safe leaving my computer set up while I go to the bathroom. But, I wouldn't leave an iPhone or something...and maybe the same holds true with the MacBook Air.
2. Is that a MacBook Air, or are you just happy to see me?
On the very first day I got my Macbook Pro, I proudly took it to work and locked it to my desk. At the end of the day, I tried to remove it, but the lock had broken causing the combination to continuously change! My Macbook still bears the scars from my battle dismantling that piece of crap!
I'm never using a stupid lock again!
I'm never using a stupid lock again!
Dumb
As a security analyst my observations over the years is that these slots are worthless. Nobody takes advantage of them and if they do the security they provide is easily circumvented. They actually do more harm than good since they provide the user (<1% of the population) with a false sense of protection.
It is much better that laptop users maintain a sense of paranoia rather than a false sense of security.
As a security analyst my observations over the years is that these slots are worthless. Nobody takes advantage of them and if they do the security they provide is easily circumvented. They actually do more harm than good since they provide the user (<1% of the population) with a false sense of protection.
It is much better that laptop users maintain a sense of paranoia rather than a false sense of security.
I use my MBP in public settings often, and I have never locked it up.
Next year at college I'll use a lock, but for now, I have a friend watch it for me, or if I'm at the local coffee shoppe, I ask one of the workers there to watch it for me.
Either way, if I leave it unattended, and even am in the same room, I will screen lock it just to be safe and prevent casual walk by usage.
Next year at college I'll use a lock, but for now, I have a friend watch it for me, or if I'm at the local coffee shoppe, I ask one of the workers there to watch it for me.
Either way, if I leave it unattended, and even am in the same room, I will screen lock it just to be safe and prevent casual walk by usage.
I used to use the security slot, but I found it was more trouble than it was worth. The only thing I lock up now is my external hard drive. >.>
Agreed. Especially when a guy can just jimmy a lock off with a TP roll... hah.
I've been using laptops exclusively for years and I've never once used a lock (I either take it with me if alone or have a friend look after whenever possible). Most of my friends/family also use laptops and none of them have locks either. And because I like simplicity I'am glad apple didn't include it here because it would utterly useless to me (and for most of the target market according to apple). 
eWeek on security
Well, that's timely. This month, eWeek put out an article entitled Laptop Security in the Workplace: How to Protect Your Mobile Assets.
Just as people in this thread have been saying: "Locks and cables should always be used to deter thieves, but, like car door locks, shouldn't be relied on exclusively."
Well, that's timely. This month, eWeek put out an article entitled Laptop Security in the Workplace: How to Protect Your Mobile Assets.
Just as people in this thread have been saying: "Locks and cables should always be used to deter thieves, but, like car door locks, shouldn't be relied on exclusively."
Again... prove it. Other than that unclear youtube video, I can't find any evidence that this works, nor could I replicate it with my own Kensington lock. There is a notch that has to be activated, which a piece of cardboard simply cannot trigger. My guess would be that the tp tube trick works on cheap-o generic locks. Or that the video is a hoax.
Well,
It must be because i'm from Québec...
I'm in Electrical engineering at the "École Polytechnique de Montréal" and I would say that in each of my classes there are about 15 laptops. Even in breaks of 10min during a class, I leave my macbook unattended for 4-5 mins as many other people are doing.
A quick check at the library and it's the same thing, if someone wanted to steal, he would get 10 in 2 mins... but I've never heard of someone who got his computer stolen at university.
I got iAlertU installed on my computer, but used it mostly for fun and not for security reasons.
It must be because i'm from Québec...
I'm in Electrical engineering at the "École Polytechnique de Montréal" and I would say that in each of my classes there are about 15 laptops. Even in breaks of 10min during a class, I leave my macbook unattended for 4-5 mins as many other people are doing.
A quick check at the library and it's the same thing, if someone wanted to steal, he would get 10 in 2 mins... but I've never heard of someone who got his computer stolen at university.
I got iAlertU installed on my computer, but used it mostly for fun and not for security reasons.
(In)Security
Completely agree - eye witnesses in a classroom environment certainly reduce the likelihood of laptop theft. Security cameras also deter this quite a bit.
Completely agree - eye witnesses in a classroom environment certainly reduce the likelihood of laptop theft. Security cameras also deter this quite a bit.
Everyone is talking about when you are out at a coffee shop or at school.
What do you do with your mac at home. I have my iMac cabled to my desk.
I had a ibook stolen from my house it was a terrible feeling that someone had all my pic's and vids etc. It was a great feeling when I chased down 4 out of 5 of them (number 5 had my ibook)
I agree that if someone wants something bad enough that will get it, but I am sure, security locks would stop the little pricks who break a window and quickly looks what they can grab. Look how small an air is. I think it is a mistake not to include a lock of some sort.
Or, you could just glue two on them to the laptop and use the cable as a loop.
genius!
that way it even works as a carrier handle/strap!!!!!
I work out of my car a lot and I use the lock to cable the computer to the inside of the car. I get in and out in some sketchy kinds of areas and knowing the computer isn't easily walked off with makes me feel better.
I think it's a good thing to include and I'm really surprised they didn't.
I think it's a good thing to include and I'm really surprised they didn't.
Who need kensington anyways
Well, Kensington is not really secure anyways...
I unlocked my pc at work in 5 seconds with my business card ! ! !
(Just for fun I tried to unlock the security cable of some other manufacturer with a paper clip, and did it in less than a minute... (and I don't have any experience of that kind anyways... viva la youtube... lol)
So if somebody wants to steal your laptop, will do it anyways...
I don't think that Apple did not think about this issue before...
Cheers
Well, Kensington is not really secure anyways...
I unlocked my pc at work in 5 seconds with my business card ! ! !
(Just for fun I tried to unlock the security cable of some other manufacturer with a paper clip, and did it in less than a minute... (and I don't have any experience of that kind anyways... viva la youtube... lol)
So if somebody wants to steal your laptop, will do it anyways...
I don't think that Apple did not think about this issue before...
Cheers
The security slot is, for me, absolutely essential! I normally travel with my laptop and, in hotels, most room safe deposit boxes are too small. I always leave my laptop "attached" to something that cannot be removed (or is too big to be discreetly removed...).
there's really no point in locking it up... i mean it's easy to circumvent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkKJ4yOKo8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkKJ4yOKo8
This proves that the lock truly is a false sense of security. Not that EVERYONE knows how to do this, but if someone does, there you go.
For the THIRD time in this one thread, let me say that this is not a proven hack and is probably a hoax.
I have yet to find one instance of someone validating that method of picking a Kensington lock. None.
Additionally, I have tried it, and it looks like a hoax. My Kensington lock has a notch in the top. There is no way a round key without a notch can activate the lock. So the only way that trick even possibly could work with any Kensington lock I have seen would be if he added a hard metal tab to the TP roll.
So yet again... I am pretty sure that is a hoax. TRY IT and tell me otherwise.
Thieves tend to look for "easy" targets, like say a laptop sitting alone on a table. Something they can easily walk by and pick up.
Now if the laptop is cabled, it's a bit more of a challenge. Even if they cut the cable, which is easy to do, it takes a few more seconds than just picking it up. Also, it'll likely attract the attention of people nearby.
Most crime of this sort of "opportunistic" as opposed to "planned." Meaning they probably don't have wire-cutters or a lock pick with them.
So just by having the laptop locked, you are making it more of a bother and they aren't likely take your laptop.
Now if someone is really after your laptop and wants to steal it, there is probably little you'd be able to do to stop them. Even if you were sitting there with it. You could be hit in the head and your laptop jacked.
Nothing in this world is 100% safe.
Now if the laptop is cabled, it's a bit more of a challenge. Even if they cut the cable, which is easy to do, it takes a few more seconds than just picking it up. Also, it'll likely attract the attention of people nearby.
Most crime of this sort of "opportunistic" as opposed to "planned." Meaning they probably don't have wire-cutters or a lock pick with them.
So just by having the laptop locked, you are making it more of a bother and they aren't likely take your laptop.
Now if someone is really after your laptop and wants to steal it, there is probably little you'd be able to do to stop them. Even if you were sitting there with it. You could be hit in the head and your laptop jacked.
Nothing in this world is 100% safe.
You don't get it!
What is it with people in this thread. Everything is not black and White!
Nobody is saying that these locks are going to stop a determined or prepared thief, nor would anyone leave a laptop in a public area unattended, locked or not. That would be asking for trouble and stupid.
But... There is a place for these locks where a small deterrent like a lock which would involve tools or more than a passing swipe will generally save your investment. Like a client's office, or where the laptop is attended but the owner is looking elsewhere or looking at books, papers, talking to someone, on the phone, etc. A little like a woman leaving a handbag on the floor by them in a bar and talking, or a laptop bag, surly we have all seen or heard this happen.
I appreciate some communities are considered safe, but so many settings in this world are not.
What is it with people in this thread. Everything is not black and White!
Nobody is saying that these locks are going to stop a determined or prepared thief, nor would anyone leave a laptop in a public area unattended, locked or not. That would be asking for trouble and stupid.
But... There is a place for these locks where a small deterrent like a lock which would involve tools or more than a passing swipe will generally save your investment. Like a client's office, or where the laptop is attended but the owner is looking elsewhere or looking at books, papers, talking to someone, on the phone, etc. A little like a woman leaving a handbag on the floor by them in a bar and talking, or a laptop bag, surly we have all seen or heard this happen.
I appreciate some communities are considered safe, but so many settings in this world are not.