STOLEN: Laptop Acer Aspire 1691

[rosso]

Hello

Someone broken into my flat and has stolen my Laptop Acer Aspire 1691 with Swiss-German keyboard.

If anyone hear something PLEASE send my a PM. The data's on this computer are very important !!!! Thanks

regards Rosso

[Kraka's Dad]

Sorry to hear about that.

I take it you are in Hua Hin rather than in Switzerland.
More likely to get a response if you are.

[DawnHRD]

My laptop's going to the shop on Monday. I'll tell them to keep their ears open

[Guess]

Hello

Someone broken into my flat and has stolen my Laptop Acer Aspire 1691 with Swiss-German keyboard.

regards Rosso

This is getting all too common with both laptops and desktops and even towers.

The common factor is that the thieves seem to know that the laptop is there and go for it.

I know this is too late for you but my advise on machine security is always:

Anchor the machine down wherever you are. Any decent laptop like and Acer will have an anchor point. you then get a lead that secures the machine to a fixed object. You may have to get a floor bolt fitted in your house. Other options with laptops is to hide it somewhere in the house that is secure. E.g. a metal cage anchored to the floor in a kitchen cupboard. A laptop can then in turn be anchored to the cage. You can get a purpose built safe that fill house a laptop for about 7000 Baht and then have it anchored to the floor for another 1,000 Baht

The second piece of advice under all circumstances is to get a USB external disk drive and backup data regularly. Keep the disk in a separate place from the PC or carry it with you. If your data is less than 2GB you can use a flash drive and keep it in your pocket.

The other obvious thing which most people overlook is don't tell anybody that you have it unless absolutely necessary.

[rosso]

Hello

thanks for the replay. I stay in HH for the next 3 weeks.

regards Rosso

[PeteC]

Just me thinking out loud:

1) An HH thief has no use for the data that may be on the machine. He wants cash for the hardware, pure and simple.

2) If it makes it's way to Bangkok, perhaps fraud problems concerning data. Maybe a good idea to alert any credit card companies or banks where your data may be compromised. If you do that though, they may automatically cancel all accounts and issue new accounts. Be prepared for a month or so of adjustment headaches, if so.

3) I would start making regular visits to every pawn shop in the HH area, just by the odd chance you may spot it after it was pawned. Pawn shops are normally also money lending/currency exchange shops. Not the 'normal' currency exchange outlets with electronic rate boards, but usually small shops tucked away. The HH expats should know where these shops are.

4) I hope you have already made a police report.

5) If you had credit card data on the machine, start to check your account on-line to see if any strange activity.

This is a terrible thing to happen to anyone. I hope you come through it OK. Pete

[buksida]

The second piece of advice under all circumstances is to get a USB external disk drive and backup data regularly. Keep the disk in a separate place from the PC or carry it with you. If your data is less than 2GB you can use a flash drive and keep it in your pocket.

Can't agree more with that one.

Will keep my eyes open also.

[Jankou]

Sorry to hear...


Welcome to Hua Hin, your lap top is allready here...

[Guess]

2) If it makes it's way to Bangkok, perhaps fraud problems concerning data. Maybe a good idea to alert any credit card companies or banks where your data may be compromised. If you do that though, they may automatically cancel all accounts and issue new accounts. Be prepared for a month or so of adjustment headaches, if so.

Well done Pete. I had not thought of that one. That would explain why there has evidence of PCs being targetted that have very little commercial hardware value.

If you given your credit card number over the Internet on that PC then the fraudsters can get it.

Cancel all cards that have been used and check with your bank. If it is a non-Thai bank you can always tell them that you were away for a few days and have only just discovered the loss. This will account for any delay in reporting.

Make sure you file a Police Report. Additionally if you bought the Laptop itself with a credit card you may be insured.