h a l f b a k e r ySuperficial Intelligence
add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, best, random
news, help, about, links, report a problem
browse anonymously,
or get an account
and write.
register,
|
|
|
Laptops are vulnerable objects for casual theft. You can of course buy a security cable, but the attachment port for these is very flimsy, and you are restricted to the one type of mechanism. They are also comparatively costly.
Laptop SHWAIN solves this problem. As the name suggests, it is a laptop
with a substantial hole located at one corner. This hole is drilled through a solid piece of metal that folds away when not in use, into the body of the computer using a simple mechanism like that of a penknife.
Now you can secure your computer using anything you like, including a length of chain, or even a Kryptonite bicycle lock.
I had initially thought of simply making the hole in one corner of the computer body, but if you think about it, this would make it hard to use with the lock in place.
Laptops For Dummies, 2nd Edition: Tips for Preventing Laptop Theft
http://articles.dir..._theft-a939640.html
A few paras down: "Your laptop probably comes with a hole or slot into which you can connect a security cable. That hole has an official name — the Universal Security Slot (or USS)." [zen_tom, Apr 23 2009]
Laptop Security, Part One: Preventing Laptop Theft
http://www.security...us.com/infocus/1186
"Does your laptop have a Universal Security Slot (USS)? Roughly 80 percent of the laptops currently produced come with a place to attach your security cable to the laptop chassis. If your laptop supports this, you should use it." [zen_tom, Apr 23 2009]
[link]
|
| |
You're right, the name isn't very interesting, but apparently it is "Universal Security Slot" or USS. |
|
| |
so basically you just want a bigger hole to put a chain through... good enough [+] |
|
| |
Simply using a beefier chain won't secure it any more than a braided steel cable. Steel cables are a lot tougher than people give them credit for, and there are several ways to steel a cable-secured item than by merely cutting the cable. From that second link: |
|
| |
//Of course, readers should be aware that, as is the case with almost any security measure, laptop cables are not infallible. Let's take a look at a hypothetical case. A hypothetical company, Foo Corp., had been alerted by the authorities that a gang of laptop thieves was moving through their area, they decided it was high time that they beef up their laptop security policy. One method that they decided to use was to physically secure laptops to desks using a cable connected to the USS (Universal Security Slot) which is then attached to a desk or other heavy stationary object. Confident they had a solution that would make stealing laptops much less, they slept peacefully that night. However, in the morning, they discovered that several of their laptops had in fact been stolen. Oddly, none of the cables had been cut. Instead of trying to break the strong link, the clever thieves instead attacked the desks to which the cables were attached. Not only did Foo Corp. have to deal with the information and property loss resulting from the laptop heist, they also suffered damage to several desks and workstations. |
|
| |
An alternative ending to the previous story illustrates another downfall to relying solely on cables for laptop security. The next morning, several employees started complaining that they couldn't access the network. A crack team of crusty old sysadmins were released unto the company, each roving about trying to determine what the users managed to screw up this time around. What they were confronted with surprised them. Each of the computers that were unable to connect to the network were not suffering from software misconfiguration, instead their network cards had been removed from their PCMCIA slots. So while the cable lock system had prevented the thieves from easily stealing the laptops themselves, everything that was attached to them like external CD-ROMS, and PCMCIA cards were still easily taken.// |
|
| |
I think a much better solution is to simply not leave your laptop unattended. I'm staying neutral because I don't think your idea would solve any problems, and in fact would encourage more laptop owners to foolishly leave their equipment unattended. |
|
| |
You don't need to break or cut the cable. It's the puny hole and stub that is vulnerable. A simple pair of pliers can break a Kensington lock off a computer body in about 2 seconds. I've done it as a test. It's the hole that is the weak point, hence the idea for a stronger hole. A stronger hole is a bigger hole, hence the need for storing it, hence this idea! |
|
| |
For extra security match the hole in the body with a hole in the screen area, and lock the whole lot in a shut position, with all access to internal components made via a pop-up keyboard. |
|
| |
Mmm hmm.... I suppose if you're going to use a lock, it might as well be a strong one. Tell ya what, you agree to come to Portland on the 2nd and you've got yourself a bun. |
|
| |
I only visit the colonies in the summer months :-) I also hear that cannibalism is still practiced in some parts. Be afraid! |
|
| |
Come on, May is a summer month! |
|
| |
I'm with [21Quest] on this one |
|
| |
I think 2 Fries and I can handle the cannibals. To be on the safe side, I'll even bring a few human scraps salvaged from the local mortuary as a bait/distraction for them. |
|
| |
<begins playing dueling banjos in the background> |
|
| |
How about if the laptop housed a sliding circular bar lock as part of its frame. The laptop Is the lock. |
|
| |
Hey, that could work very well. Make it so that it can only be unlocked with a password entered in the computer and it would be pick-proof. |
|
| |