[ WWW.TECHLIFE.NET ] [ 069 ]
LOCK YOUR LAPTOP UP
Physically securing your hardware to its
environment remains the most reliable way to
ensure it doesn’t go missing. There’s a reason
95 % of laptops have a Kensington security slot
on them — use it!LOCK TYPE
Most locks either use a key or code — choose
the method that you’re most comfortable with.
If you’re good at remembering PIN numbers,
choose a code-based device; if you lose your
keys all the time, it’s probably best to avoid a
key-based solution. Some devices use both
keys and codes, which is even better.TRACK IT
If your device is equipped with GPS, it will offer
the ability to track it if it goes missing. This is
especially useful with smartphones, with all
major brands now supporting GPS tracking in
the case of theft.DISPLAYS ARE ATTRACTIVE
TO THIEVES, TOO
Laptops aren’t the only pieces of hardware that
gets pinched; monitors and projectors are
similarly attractive targets. Ensure your
mounting system has a locking mechanism
that requires a key or code to unlock the device
from its mount.PREVENT PRYING EYES
Information theft is also commonplace,
especially in public places. In the old days,
physical shields would be placed on each side
of a screen, but these days there are special
films that can be stuck to the screen that cuts
off the view from angles of 30 degrees or more.DEDICATED TRACKERS
While the range on them isn’t amazing,
Bluetooth tracking devices are a handy way
of finding items that can be misplaced easily,
such as your phone or tablet.SHIELD YOUR NFC GEAR
Many people are concerned that the chip on
their credit card is an RFID transmitter, which
can be scanned by nearby criminals. However,
most aren’t – they’re simply contactless cards.
Having said that, the latest smartphones with
NFC and newer bankcards and passports are
coming with RFID transmitters, so an RFID
blocker will stop thieves from wirelessly
stealing your info.KEEP A DIGITAL EYE OPEN
Even the hardiest security cable probably won’t
stand up to a set of high-end bolt-cutters, so
office-wide security cameras are still the best
method of preventing theft.PHYSICAL SECURITY DEVICE
BUYERS’ CHECKLIST
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING
PHYSICAL SECURITY DEVICESEverki EKS622XL RFID
Messenger
PROTECT YOUR TABLET...
AND YOUR RFID TRANSMISSIONS.
IT MAY LOOK like just another
ultraportable laptop bag, but this beautifully
crafted bag has a difference. Designed to fit
iPad Pro 12-inch or Surface Pro laptops,
it’s made from extremely rugged ballistic
nylon to stand the rigours of the road.
There’s ample padding to ensure your
hardware doesn’t get damaged, and there
are lots of little compartments for earbuds,
pens, notepads and the like, making it easy
to keep all of your gear stowed away nice
and tidy. There’s even a special phone
compartment, so you don’t have to dig
through the interior to answer an important
call. However, it’s the special RFID
protective pouch that sets this bag apart
from the rest.
Located at the front of the bag, this RFID
pouch is big enough to easily fit both your
passport and wallet, ensuring nearby RFID
sniffers don’t have a chance to whisk away
your data. This explains the slightly higher
price point, though the overall quality of the
bag material and rugged zippers gives us
plenty of confidence that this bag will stand
the test of time.
EVERKI EKS622XL
RFID MESSENGER
$200
http://www.everki.com
CRITICAL SPECS
Fits iPad Pro 12-inch or Surface Pro;
RFID pouch; high performance ballistic nylon
Korjo RFID Passport
Defender
FOR THOSE WITH E-PASSPORTS.WHETHER YOU BELIEVE RFID information
theft is real or not (stats show it’s less than 1%
of all info-hacks), at just $8 this piece of
shielded cardboard is a very cheap way to buy
piece of mind. And that’s exactly what it is
— in the pack you get two cardboard sleeves,
each lined with RF-blocking material.
According to the specs, it blocks 13.56MHz
and 860-960MHz transmissions, while also
shielding ISO 14443/15693 and EPC Gen1/
Gen2. If you happen to have an e-Passport,
unlike contact-less credit cards, it does actually
have an RFID chip embedded within, so this
cheap sleeve guarantees nobody can skim your
data without your knowledge.
To be honest, we’re more worried about our
RFID chips becoming corrupted by other
devices, after this happening to us in the past,
so this sleeve should also stop that from
becoming a reality. Ditto with credit/debit
card defenders — we’ve lost track of the
number of debit cards that stopped working
after just a few weeks due to another card or
device being placed too close to the dead card.
And for just eight bucks, that convenience
alone is worth it.KORJI RFID PASSPORT DEFENDER
$8
http://www.officeworks.com.au
CRITICAL SPECS
2 x sleeves included;
Shields ISO 14443/15693
and EPC Gen1/Gen2 cards and tagsSUPERGUIDEPHYSICAL SECURITY FOR YOUR DIGITAL DEVICES3 3