While it's wonderful to be able to travel and still keep in touch with your family and colleagues, you must also consider the possibility that your cell phone or laptop may be stolen. Again, advance research will be well worth your time. Taking an expensive laptop or PDA to a region known for crime is asking for trouble.
Of course, you may need to bring your electronic devices with you for work purposes or other important reasons. You'll want to take a few basic precautions in order to prevent theft.
- If your hotel has a room safe, you can lock your electronic items in it with reasonable confidence. Without a room safe or a reliable cable lock, you might not want to leave your laptop unattended.
- There are several software applications available that allow you to track your laptop's location and usage and let you delete sensitive information if the laptop is stolen.
- Consider buying a laptop case with nontraditional styling if you are visiting a region known for laptop theft. Thieves have been known to frequent airport terminals in order to grab laptops. While you are in the terminal, maintain physical contact with your laptop case as you wait for your flight. Back up your data before you travel in case the worst happens, and carry the telephone numbers of your cell phone service provider and Internet service provider in a separate place so you can contact them if any of your electronic devices are stolen.
- Carry your cell phone or PDA in a secure place. If you're traveling in a theft-prone area, do not keep your cell phone in your purse or clip it to your waistband. Instead, carry it in an inside jacket pocket or inside a pocket or daypack that zips closed.
- Never leave your laptop, cell phone or PDA unattended in a public area, such as an airport recharging station. Unplug it and take it with you if you need to move around the terminal.
- Finally, use common sense. If your travels take you to a dangerous part of the world, leave your expensive electronics behind and find another way to stay in touch with your loved ones. Buy a cheap cell phone, use Internet cafés and leave your worries behind. You can reconnect with everyone when you return home.
