Guard Your Laptop While Traveling
If you are flying to or passing through Atlanta, you might want to keep both hands on your laptop.
According to data gathered by Code 42, a backup/data management company, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson has the highest frequency of laptop thefts in the U.S. Miami International airport came in 2nd, followed by Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
This is bad news for the millions of Americans who travel with their laptops. Seriously, how are you supposed to get through a long layover if you can’t watch “Frozen?”
And the date suggests a stolen laptop stays gone. Code 42 concluded that 97% of stolen laptops will never be found. How depressing is that?
The study also found that a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. That translates to 1,600 stolen laptops a day and countless stolen data. In fact, the average consumer stands to lose $342 on replenishing multimedia purchases alone if their laptop is stolen. So, what do you do?
First, and this goes without saying, don’t leave your laptop unattended. If you’re grabbing a quick coffee at Starbucks while your laptop charges, take it with you. No skinny low-fat latte is worth losing your Macbook.
And finally, it’s not a bad idea to back up your computer before you hit the road this holiday season. Take a moment to store your photos, music, and data in a service like icloud, Google Drive, or Code 42. This way, if the unthinkable happens, at least you won’t lose your entire digital life.
Airports with the highest frequency of laptop thefts:
1. Atlanta, GA (Hartsfield–Jackson)
2. Miami, FL (Miami International)
3. Chicago, IL (O’Hare)
4. Orlando, FL (Orlando International)
5. San Francisco, CA (San Francisco International)
6. Chicago, IL (Midway)
7. Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
8. Denver, CO (Denver International)
9. Houston, TX (George Bush Intercontinental)
10. Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia International)
If you’re traveling through any of these airports on your way to TISE East in Orlando (#4 on the list) be on your guard.