Laptop theft prevention tips

The following are precautions that you should take to help ensure that your laptop does not get stolen:

• Do not leave your laptop in a visible place in your vehicle. Lock it in the boot or hide it away from sight until you have reached your destination.
• Do not leave a meeting/lecture theatre or conference room without your laptop. Always take it with you, or it may not be there when you return.
• Lock your laptop in your office/work area or room after hours or put the laptop in a locked closet or cabinet.
• Be aware that when you carry your laptop in an obvious laptop bag or carrying case, prospective thieves may identify it as a possible item to add to their collection.
• Never leave your laptop unattended, even for a moment.
• It is important to insure your laptop.
• Secure your laptop with a security cable. 
• Back up all important data daily. The most difficult thing to replace when a laptop is stolen is the lost data, especially during the exam period.  No exceptions can be made for students who have lost their laptops as a result of theft and have no back-up data.
• Protect the data and access to the computer with a password, fingerprint identification devices and other access control devices that plug into the USB port.
• Register your laptop and record the make, model, serial number and the original cost of the laptop.
• Lock the doors to your apartment at all times.  An unlocked door is an open ticket for someone to enter your apartment and it only takes a very brief moment for an item to be removed.
• Never leave valuables such as your laptop, camera, cell phone or other electronic devices near windows or exit doors. They should always be out of sight, preferably locked away.
• Lock your windows while you are not at home, especially if you live on the ground floor.
• Do not leave notes on your door advertising that you are away and your time of departure or arrival back. 
• Report suspicious people and/or activities to Campus Protection Services on X4099 / 333 or dial the South African Police Service on 10111, should you feel in any danger at any stage.

Important contact numbers:
Monash South Africa: Campus Protection Services
Tel:  011 950-4099 / 333

South African Police Service
10111

Fire / Ambulance Emergencies and Metro Police
10177 (toll free) or Tel:  011 375-5911