Information Technology Services

Portable computers are common targets for thieves. The thieves are interested in either the device itself OR the information it contains. While devices can be replaced, the theft of the information is considerably more problematic. Consider the impact of the loss of your presentation while you were on your way to present at a conference. Consider the impact on a student of yours when their identity is stolen based upon information contained on your portable computer. When we discuss portable computer security, we have to consider both the information and the physical device.

Device Security:

Decorate, with a professional appearance, the case so that you can quickly spot your particular case if it should "walk away". The decorations should be removable without damage but not so easily that the decoration can be quickly yanked off by a thief.
- One choice is to attach an easily identifiable key ring, such as with a colorful ASU emblem or a professional emblem, to a surdy connection point.
- Annother choice is to decoratively wrap a fabric or yarn, several times, around a handle or connection point.
Be alert for common "switch" or "swipe" schemes.
- Common "swipe" schemes involve someone picking up your case and walking away while you are distracted elsewhere (often deliberately distracted).
- Common "switch" schemes involve placing a similar case near yours and then picking up your case and leaving.
  - For example, in an airport or large conference, a person sits down next to you and places his/her bag next to yours. After a moment, the person reaches down and picks up a case - yours - and walks away leaving you with their empty case. If you should happen to catch the switch, they claim it was an "honest mistake".
Hotel rooms are easy target areas.
- If you MUST leave your portable computer in your room, place it out of sight, not on the top of the desk. Don't presume that it will be safe while you are not there. Hotel personnel have pass keys and thieves are resourceful.
  - Consider this scheme: Someone asks the desk clerk to send a maintenance man to the room to check on the air conditioner. The maintenance man uses the pass key to enter the room. While inside the thief walks in pretending that it is his room, picks up your portable computer or other valuables and walks out. The maintenance man has no idea that the person entering the room was not the person renting the room.
- Portable computer cable locks are easily available.
  - If you cable the portable computer to something, don't make it visible from the doorway to the hall and don't attach the cable around something that can be lifted up. For example, I can place the cable around a lamp, but a lamp can be easily lifted and the portable computer can disappear with the cable still attached. If I cable to a suitcase, the suitcase can be taken at the same time as the portable computer.

Information Security:

The information on a portable computer may be more valuable than you realize. It is wisest to presume that the information contained within is more precious than copper, silver, or gold.

A strong password is your first line of defense for your information. Not a favorite option, but one that is important. The key here is to balance between security and functionality.

Example: If I have a car full of groceries for the month and need to carry them into my house, I have to decide if it is important to lock the car between each trip into my house. If I live on the 9th floor of a high-rise apartment building in a crime-ridden area, I would be foolish to leave my car unlocked between trips. If I'm parked in my driveway next to the kitchen door in a relatively safe area, locking the car between trips can be excessive.
In a similar way, leaving your computer "un-locked" can be foolish or excessive. If I'm working at my computer and the desk phone rings, it would be excessive of me to "lock" my computer. If I'm going down the hall to the toilet (out of sight of the computer), it would be foolish of me to leave the computer "un-locked".

"Locking" a Windows-based computer requires logging out or pressing the "lock" key combination of the "FlyingWindowsKey" plus the letter L as you hold down the FlyingWindowsKey.

If you said "Huh?" to that last choice, look the spacebar on your keyboard. Then look to the left two keys. Typically, you will see the "FlyingWindows"(four wavy blocks) logo on a key. You may also see that same "FlyingWindows" logo key to the right of your spacebar on some keyboards. Like using the SHIFT key, it doesn't matter which one you use.

FlyingWindowsKey + L = lock the computer

This procedure does not interfere with anything you were doing. It simply requires the entry of a password, the same one you use when you start up your computer, to continue working.

Wireless Access

Wireless access is making it possible to connect to the Internet in a wide variety of places. Such access can be wonderful, but it can also pose hazards.

Restricted wireless access requires the entering of a password. If you are attending training or a conference, you might be provided with a username and password pair that will allow you to access the wireless network. It is a common practice to change the password daily; don't expect that the password that worked yesterday will work today.

Free public wireless access is available in many hotels, many bookstores, some fast-food places - Taco Bell is the most famous for their wireless access, some "Internet Cafes", etc. The list of places offering free wireless access is growing rapidly with some cities trying to set up city-wide access.

Your portable computer will sense the presence of a wireless network and ask you if you want to connect with it.

Before connecting to a wireless network, you should think "security".

Make sure your hard drive is not shared.
Do not allow "others" to connect to your computer.
Exercise caution regarding the entering of passwords or display of sensitive information. For example, do not display a grade book where people can look over your shoulder at the information or watch you enter a password.

Network Connections

When you need a modem to connect your computer with a network, such as in some hotels, you may also need an "Internet Service Provider". Augusta State does not provide remote Internet services.

This is considered a personal choice and is usually paid for by your personal funds. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will provide you with instructions for connecting while traveling. Usually this involves dialing a number specific to the area in which you will be staying. Like cell phone roaming charges, some ISPs charge more when you are away from your home. Consult their policies for pricing.

Some hotels offer Internet services via a cable connection within your hotel room. Such connections often require the use of a username and password combination. Ask at the Front Desk, or a concierge, for the password and ask if it changes daily.