FBI: Hey, Who Stole Our Laptops?

Ars Technica has an interesting-slash-frightening tale about our beloved Federal Bureau of Investigation: A recent audit shows that the bureau has lost 160 laptop computers in the space of about four years. Zounds!

What's worse: The FBI doesn't know if the laptops contained confidential information or not! But there's good news. The FBI lost 317 laptops in only 28 months preceding this last audit, so that's actually a great improvement.

If that doesn't tell you something about keeping your laptop safe from theft I don't know what does. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Laptop theft is the #1 computer crime, by far. You can load all the antivirus, antispyware, and antiphishing software you want on your notebook PC, but that won't prevent someone from grabbing it at Starbucks when you get up to get a packet of Sugar in the Raw.

Protect yourself physically if you're a laptop user. Here's a primer based on some of my recent posts on the topic to help you get your gear secured.

• LoJack for Laptops
• Kensington's Ultra-Secure Notebook Lock
  
• Laptop Crime Wave Hits Coffee Shops