Playing It Safe With Security

For most business travelers laptops and PDAs contain more sensitive personal and work information than the filing cabinets kept under lock and key at home and the office. The mere thought of this information getting into the wrong hands is enough to send cold shivers down anyone's back, yet many don't even take the simplest precautions. Here are some things to think about before you hit the road.

Protect Yourself When Using Wireless Hotspots

When you're logging on at wireless hotspots, consider the fact that the guy sitting next to you could easily walk away with your sensitive information. Most public hotspot providers don't use encryption because it makes it more difficult for users to gain access, so all information you pass on a wireless connection is subject to sniffers. For instance, a news channel crew in Colorado recently sent a tech team and a reporter to the Denver airport to prove how easy it is to steal sensitive information. An unsuspecting business traveler ended up a headliner when they were able to access his cell phone, social security, bank and credit card numbers in mere minutes. If you don't want to be the star of such a story, make sure you're using Virtual Private Network software. VPNs encrypt everything you send. If you don't have VPN software through your company, check out HotSpotVPN. The site offers subscription-based VPN service to protect your computer as well as PDAs for less than $9.00 per month.

Reduce The Threat And The Consequences Of Laptop Theft

• The most likely place that your laptop can be lifted is at the airport, particularly when you go through security. Avoid risk by making sure your laptop doesn't hit the belt until you're ready to go through the line. If you're stopped, calmly ask the security officer to take your valuables aside. Better yet, avoid lines altogether if you can, or buddy up with another traveler and make sure one of you is on the other side when laptops come through.
• Deter small-time thieves by using built-in security features from Windows. All Windows-enabled computers allow you to require a password for startup. The security capabilities in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint also allow you to require a password to open any file that contains sensitive data. Remember that a strong password should have at least seven characters including at least one number, one letter, and one symbol. For easy instructions on how to set up passwords, simply type "password protect" into Microsoft's help tools.
• For most of us, time is of the essence so we're happy to save passwords, but think twice about auto-saving passwords within programs and Web sites that would allow a thief to gain access to sensitive information (like ISPs, online banks, travel sites, pay-per-use information, and music services). It's also a good idea to clear your browser history before you hit the road. If they can't easily see where you bank and buy online, they're less likely to pursue that route!