How to Protect Your Laptop when Traveling

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Last Updated: January 28, 2024

One of the benefits to using a laptop computer is its portability. Professionals who travel for business rely on being able to bring their laptops. Even people traveling for pleasure may elect to take a laptop with them in order to check emails and stay connected to friends and family back home. It is important to keep laptops safe while traveling by taking protective measures. Protect your laptop when traveling by storing it properly and paying attention to basic software security measures.

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Why are you bringing your laptop, are there other alternatives? Could you do your work in an internet cafe and save your work on a USB or hard drive?
Regardless of your method of travel, you will need something to protect the laptop from movement and harm during transport. Use a case that can be carried as you would carry a briefcase, or a shoulder bag that is made well and provides padding and cushion.

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Do not leave your computer unattended in airports, train stations, or bus terminals. If you are traveling by car, be sure to keep it out of sight when you get out of the car for gas, food, and bathroom breaks. Take it into hotels with you overnight. If you are in a crowd keep you bag on your front. If you want to travel light it is best that you leave less valuable bulky luggage in storage.
In hot countries heat and humidity can cause problems for your laptop.
In some countries like India it is important you have a voltage stabilizer.
You will want to be able to pick it up off the conveyor belt immediately after it goes through the x-ray.
Be sure your firewall is in place, and ensure you have anti-virus and anti-spyware applications running.
When you travel, try not to transmit credit card information, or personal identification such as social security numbers or birth dates.
Choose passwords that you can easily remember, but are not obvious.
Retailers such as Dell, Staples and Office Depot offer coverage for laptops. Most policies cover accidental damage, and some policies also cover loss and theft. Beware insurance for your laptop does not cover leaving your laptop unattended and is limited to 90 days and travel insurance although it covers more than 90 days usually has an item limit of around £300.
There are ways you can keep your laptop safer when travelling, you could get a laptop lock(Kensington) and alarm such as alert both of these are more aimed at being deterrents than keeping your laptop totally safe, so it is best to keep it with you at all times.

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Question

I broke my screen recently. How can I prevent damage to my laptop going forward?

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The best option is to buy a reliable cover for your laptop; it will be extremely useful. Also, you should have a separate case to place your laptop in. Make sure it isn't a hard, tough suitcase. And if you're always breaking your screen, try finding a screen cover for your computer, or go for the more expensive options, like a Gorilla Glass.

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How do I protect my laptop from being stolen on a train?

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Carry the laptop with you at all times if you cannot lock it in a luggage carrier.

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Tips

When you are shopping for a laptop, take your travel plans into consideration. If you travel a lot, you may want to look for laptops that are lightweight and durable. Purchase something on the smaller side that is easy to pack.

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If you are traveling by plane, do not check your laptop with other luggage. Carry it onto the plane with you. This will help prevent damage and loss.

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Make sure to put your laptop at hotels inside safe box when you leave your room.

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Warnings

Voltage stabilizer. In countries such as India you 'must' use a voltage stabilizer if you don't want to wreck your laptop. The best option is to buy one when you are out there.

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Be careful about using your laptop in public places, especially if you are in an area you are not familiar with. Keep your laptop in the place you are staying, and use it privately to avoid attracting the attention of potential thieves.

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