Laptop Security? Protecting Information On A Stolen Laptop

As per the survey, around 45% of essential information from the healthcare centres breaches due to a stolen laptop. Also, it has been reported that a laptop gets stolen every 53 seconds. Statistics show that a single laptop loss may lead to a business loss of $47,000. 

Hence, securing your laptop is necessary to prevent such data losses. Additionally, you can also protect the external parts of your laptop financially with the help of laptop insurance policies. Given below are some of the precautions that you can take to protect your data in case your laptop is stolen.

  • Encrypt your hard drive

Windows laptop devices come with encryption switched on by default. You can check if the encryption is turned on by the following steps.

  1. Go to settings.
  2. Click on the about bar under the system option.
  3. Scroll down to the ‘Device Encryption’ and log in to your Microsoft option with your credentials. You can view if the encryption option is turned on after logging in.

However, if your system does not support automatic encryption, you can make use of other in-built encryption tools.

  • Keep your password secured

Forgetting your password can lead to challenging situations. Refrain from saving your account passwords in your laptop. If your system is stolen, any third-party individual can gain easy access to your credentials.

  • Authentication and biometric

Another way to save your data is by protecting them with biometric passwords. This way, others cannot access your system without you. Several laptops offer such biometric password protection system.

  • Do not store essential data

To protect from financial loss, you shouldn’t store the PIN and passwords of your payment card. In case your laptop is lost, there may be changes that a stranger may use your card details to make transactions.

Additionally, you can avail a Pocket Insurance product such as Fraudulent Charges Cover offered by Bajaj Finserv at an affordable premium of Rs. 299 per year against a considerable sum assured of Rs. 75,000. Such Pocket Insurance schemes provide reimbursement in case of unauthorised and unknown transactions occurring due to cyber threats and cybercrime.

  • Refrain from storing your email passwords

You should log out of your email ID after your task is done. If your mail remains logged in when the laptop is stolen, you may hand access to unwanted third party individauls to manage your account and access private data. Also, do not store the passwords of your email or other accounts on your system.

  • Keep a backup

Having a backup always assists you to retrieve your data if your laptop is lost. You can also lose your data in case of a technical breakdown of your system.

To protect your device financially from such a breakdown, you can avail laptop insurance schemes. These schemes also cover you from any damage caused to your laptop charger due to a mechanical and technical breakdown.

Alternatively, apply for a laptop insurance scheme at attractive annual premium against a substantial sum assured. 

The laptop charger insurance schemes provide financial coverage of damages caused to the charger due to accidents, fire, theft or burglary and natural calamities.

You can apply for a laptop charger insurance online by filling up an online application form on the official website of your financial institution or NBFC. After you have filled up the form, you can make payments towards your premium via any of the online payment methods such as mobile wallets, net banking, UPI, credit or debit cards, account transfer, etc.

Additionally, to stay financially covered against repairs on gadgets such as wireless Bluetooth, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, etc., you can avail Pocket Insurance schemes like Small Gadgets Insurance offered by Bajaj Finserv easy premiums of Rs. 399 against a considerable sum assured of up to Rs. 10,000.

You can apply for such laptop insurance plans with ease on the official website of your financial institution or NBFC.

  • Install antivirus software

Antivirus software can protect you from malware attack that may lead to loss of essential data. Presence of virus can also lead to cyber hacking, and your data can get stolen. Thus, it is essential to install antivirus software to prevent such cyber hacks.

  • Install tracking software

You can also install tracking software in your laptop with which you can track the location of your device in case it is stolen.

Besides, you can also avail laptop insurance schemes to cover up for the financial loss incurred due to the replacement of your stolen laptop.

In addition, while you file an FIR against your stolen number, you will be asked to provide the ID number of your device. If you have availed a laptop insurance plan, you will be asked to provide a copy of your FIR at the time of claim. Hence, you must keep your ID number memorised or stored to access the same easily.