For the past twenty-five years, I have lived the life of a road warrior. I have traveled to all parts of North America with one of my most important assets, my laptop computer. I have had my laptop stolen, damaged and most recently, taken, in error, by another passenger, as I was passing through Security at an airport. I have learned a few painful lessons along the way. I would like to share some of them with you.

Laptop computers are small, powerful but delicate information processing devices. They have become essential to people in a broad range of industries, organizations and government agencies. Their importance demands a level of respect and attention to detail. There are a set of tasks that every computer owner should perform if they haven’t been taken before.

Personalize your Computer

To distinguish your computer from the millions of laptop computers in use, affix a large sticker or photo to your device. As you look around the Lost and Found department at your local airport, there are dozens of laptop computers that have gone astray. Many computers look alike except for the name of the manufacturer. Since the number of manufacturers has contracted in recent years, there are many Dell and Apple devices in inventory. Make sure to differentiate your computer from the rest of the pack. This is the best thing you can do to avoid having someone pick up your computer by accident as you pass through Security.