My laptop disappeared at security tonight

Great.

At FRA last night at the second scan, as usual I put laptop in tray, coat & jacket in tray, and small carry on bag all for xray. I proceeded through the body scanner without setting it off, but in the seconds I'd done this my laptop had disappeared. I assumed it had been put back thru the machine, but no.

After about ten anxious minutes (it seemed a lot longer), a pax returned to the security with his tail between his legs. He'd inadvertently picked up my freekin laptop. I wouldn't mind, but when I saw his lappy it didn't even look like mine.

I was lucky, at least the idiot realised.

Tip - I am not in the habit of defacing high value goods, but putting a big flourescent sticker on my lappy looks like my next job.

Cheers, Howard

[mcmbenjamin]

Also make sure there is proper security so if it gets taken they do not get your data. Does anyone know about LaptopLojack?

Yuck! Boy, Howard, are you lucky he noticed before he was airborne!

Make that a big fluorescent 'Hands off, this one's mine' and hope the next dolt can read. Wonder what the security people were doing?

I still wonder how much attention they're paying to those who have passed through and are picking up items. Wonder if they'd notice someone sweating and shaking in glee that they made it through? Yea, I feel safer, yes I don't!

However, I feel compelled to give a [y] to the laptop swiper who felt compelled to return the laptop which wasn't his. There is hope yet for our planet, when one sees evidence that there are still people who do the right thing. In the US, unfortunately, he'd be rarer still.

Originally posted by Howard Long
.

Tip - I am not in the habit of defacing high value goods, but putting a big flourescent sticker on my lappy looks like my next job.

Cheers, Howard

Sound advice Howard. I've got some "Mountain Bike UK" stickers on my personal lappy, but I rarely travel with that. What i do travel with is the my Dell D610... which looks like every other laptop going through the scanner on some days!

I did see a notice at some airport somewhere recently (maybe LHR?) advising us to put a business card in the slot often provided underneath the computer to allow us to identify them.

I think I'll go for something garish and amusing on the top of mine in future.

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by PVGSLF
I did see a notice at some airport somewhere recently (maybe LHR?) advising us to put a business card in the slot often provided underneath the computer to allow us to identify them.

Was that BAA wasting it's precious cycles on thinking again? For many companies that is against Information Security policy as it can give clues to the identity of the laptop and potentially some of the logon credentials (username).

Ben - that's what BitLocker in Vista is for.

Thanks,
Richard

[Bazz]

Glad you got it back Howard. [i] What about sticking a pic on it?

That one of you in the Jacuzzi would do nicely - no one would dare nick it then. [:p];)

[mitchja]

Originally posted by RichardMannion


Ben - that's what BitLocker in Vista is for.

Thanks,
Richard

No use if you dont but the Ultimate or Enterprise versions though is it. That's the only 2 versions is on isn't it? MS obviously think the average user doesn't travel with lap-tops.

Regards

[RichardMannion]

Yep Ultimate and Enterprise only. Maybe the average home user laptop doesn't have information that confidential, or maybe not. Ultimate is a home SKU though...

Thanks,
Richard

Beware everyone - what happened to Howard weas shown as a possible scam on the "Real Hustle" programme where they show alsorts of weird and wonderful ways for people to con us. Apparently the scam requires someone with a lap top bag similar to yours - they go through security first - then their colleague follows - but waits til you have put your lap top through. The second "con artist then delays his search by having money in his pockets - at which point the first con artist swaps your pc for his. You then collect your bag and walk off blissfully unaware - that youre carrying a book or something.

The advice was to never put anything into the scanning machine unless the metal detector was free and you were ready to go through!

Originally posted by vs_itsallgood
Make that a big fluorescent 'Hands off, this one's mine' and hope the next dolt can read. Wonder what the security people were doing?

Oh, 'security'? What's that?

How about a v-flyer fluorescent laptop sticker? Either that or I'll get me mum to sew in some name tags.

Cheers, Howard

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Also make sure there is proper security so if it gets taken they do not get your data. Does anyone know about LaptopLojack?

We use Safeboot device encryption. It also has two factor authentication, although we don't use that functionality, relying solely on a password.

Cheers, Howard

Originally posted by Howard Long
[brHow about a v-flyer fluorescent laptop sticker?

That does sound like an excellent idea - no, I mean it! We've either had someone try or succeed in nicking our V-flyer tags, which have that nifty rainbow prism effect.

Just think: a prism V-flyer sticker on red/silver/gold/black backgrounds. It would be noticeable and advertise the site. Maybe someone should price one up and see if it's doable for all of us? I'd buy a couple. Anyone else?

Originally posted by Howard Long

Originally posted by vs_itsallgood
Make that a big fluorescent 'Hands off, this one's mine' and hope the next dolt can read. Wonder what the security people were doing?

How about a v-flyer fluorescent laptop sticker? Either that or I'll get me mum to sew in some name tags.

Good Idea. I'd buy some..... along with the Hotpants for MrsPVG[:o)]
Bright garish colours please... the sort of thing your colleages on the other side of the desk would need sun glasses to look at. (that's the sticker not the hot pants!)

Or perhaps a sticker with words such as:

"Caution - Polonium"
"Protected from Theft by Semtex - First choice in plastic explosive"
"Bomb"

Let's see if security notice.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by PVGSLF

Originally posted by Howard Long

Originally posted by vs_itsallgood
Make that a big fluorescent 'Hands off, this one's mine' and hope the next dolt can read. Wonder what the security people were doing?

How about a v-flyer fluorescent laptop sticker? Either that or I'll get me mum to sew in some name tags.

Good Idea. I'd buy some..... along with the Hotpants for MrsPVG[:o)]
Bright garish colours please... the sort of thing your colleages on the other side of the desk would need sun glasses to look at. (that's the sticker not the hot pants!)

Or perhaps a sticker with words such as:

"Caution - Polonium"
"Protected from Theft by Semtex - First choice in plastic explosive"
"Bomb"

Let's see if security notice.

With the TSA's sense of humor being surgically removed on hire I dont think those would be such a good idea, however I like the idea of a few VF ones, something along the lines of the birthday cards.

Originally posted by MarkJ
Beware everyone - what happened to Howard weas shown as a possible scam on the "Real Hustle" programme where they show alsorts of weird and wonderful ways for people to con us.

I saw that one too and have been very careful to watch where mine was since then. I always wait until I am ready to walk through and put this in last. Also, in most places these days you have to take your lappy out of the bag first.

Howard,

What had happened to the other guy's laptop?