Laptop Theft Prevention

On average, approximately 50 laptops are stolen on the University's campus each year. Laptop theft is often a crime of opportunity. Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to take appropriate precautions to prevent the theft of their laptop computer and to register their laptops to assist the police in recovering the laptop in the event that the laptop is lost or stolen.

• Never leave your laptop unattended in public places, even "just for a minute". Remain in physical contact with it at all times (take it into the restroom if you must). Do not leave your laptop alone!
• Lock offices or dorm rooms where the laptop is stored.
• Use a security device such as a steel cable lock or alarm.
• Write down the MAC (Media Access Control) address of your network card.
• Document serial and model numbers of your laptop and accessories (such as hard drives and mice).
• Register your laptop through the manufacturer's product registration program.
• Back up your data, either online or via an external drive and store that drive in some place other than the laptop carrying case.
• Contact the HUPD at 617-495-1212 to file a the­ report immediately if your laptop is stolen on campus.