SouthFlorida.com | City Link Magazine

Theft of laptops, sometimes at the hands of fellow students, is a significant problem on college campuses, as more and more students are required to bring their computers to class. To help reduce theft on its campus, the University of Miami has begun working with Computrace, a theft-protection service that tracks, locates and recovers stolen computers.

"Based on crime rates, theft in general is the No. 1 crime on campuses," confirms John Pepper, crime-prevention coordinator for the University of Miami Police Department. "It often involves theft of unattended and unsecured property, students just leaving stuff and people coming around and picking it up. Some students leave dorm room doors wide open."

Laptops sold through the school's New Technology Center are installed with ComputracePlus Lojack for Laptops (Lojackforlaptops.com). Through Aug. 31, the UM Police Department is offering 50 registered students who sign up for the school's weekly security bulletin a chance to win the software. (Visit Umiami.edu/police.) "We've been able to recover quite a few [computers]," Pepper says. "The system has been a big success."

Computrace claims to recover three out of four stolen computers. Other companies offering satellite tracing systems include Absolute Software and zTrace Technologies. Most companies offer one-year contracts in the $50 range.

Johnny May, an independent security consultant and executive producer of the video Now You See It, Now You Don't: Preventing Laptop Computer Theft (Security-videos.com), offers the following advice to students:

• Never leave your laptop unattended.

• Record your laptop's serial number.

• Lock your computer to your desk.

• Etch or engrave your name and phone number on your computer.

• If you have to leave your laptop in your car, store it in your trunk.