12/19/2006

Helpful Tips to Protect Your Notebook This Holiday Season

According to a recent survey commissioned by Kensington Computer Products Group, 65% of people plan to take their laptop computer with them on vacation this holiday season. Notebooks, a lifeline to work and entertainment, can be easily protected with common sense and some smart tips during what is often a hectic and fast-paced time of the year for many.

A laptop computer is stolen every 53 seconds, and according to the FBI, 90% of stolen laptops are never recovered. Symantec research suggests that an average laptop holds content valued at $972,000 and that some could carry as much as $8.8 million worth of commercially sensitive data and intellectual property.

"People entrust their personal information, photos, music as well as sensitive corporate data in their laptop computers," said Roma Majumder, Kensington Senior Global Product Manager, Security. "Holiday travel presents a security challenge, because the more that people move their laptop around, the higher chances of it being stolen in transit."

Some simple tips from Kensington can save holiday travelers from the financial, commercial, and personal expense of losing a laptop:

1. Never leave a laptop unattended in a public area or an office you are not familiar with
2. Pack away your laptop when you are not using it.
3. Always lock your laptop with a cable-locking system, such as the Kensington MicroSaver®, to your desk or in a secure cupboard if left overnight or while in meetings.
4. Make sure that equipment is not swapped or lent to other staff without proper authorization.
5. When traveling by car, lock equipment that is not being used in the trunk using one of the Kensington security locks available.
6. When traveling by plane, never put a laptop in your checked luggage.
7. If in a restaurant or bar, always make sure that the bag containing the laptop is secured. Put the shoulder strap under your chair.
8. When in a hotel, lock your laptop to a fixed object or store it in the room safe, if possible.

"No one wants to deal with a lost laptop, especially during the holidays," said Majumder. "You owe it to yourself to take preventative measures against theft so that your computer is there when you need it."

Kensington® Security

With company milestones including the first laptop security cable lock and the patented Kensington Security Slot, built into 99% of all laptop computers-Kensington has a history of being first-to-market with security solutions that offer simple and effective ways for people to protect their electronic investments.

The MicroSaver is the physical component of Kensington's complete security solution, which features data, access, and hardware protection. The latest keyed MicroSaver locks incorporate carbon-tempered steel cables and introduce robust multi-disc locking mechanisms to the world of laptop security. Lock tampering triggers security indicators and automatic lockdown systems built into each MicroSaver. Kensington offers both keyed and keyless systems with a range of products to suit different budgets and security needs.

With over 15 years of experience and innovation in laptop protection solutions, Kensington is a proven leader in security. Through rigorous testing and constant improvement, Kensington develops products that help consumers meet the security challenges of tomorrow. The Kensington MicroSaver® is the world's #1 laptop security lock and is backed by the Kensington Lifetime Warranty.

Notes to editors

About Kensington

Kensington is a leading provider of desktop and mobile device accessories, trusted by IT, educators, business and home office professionals around the world for more than 35 years. Kensington products empower people to dynamically interact with content, creating a better working experience for productive performance. In both office and mobile environments, Kensington’s extensive portfolio of award-winning products provides trusted security, desktop productivity innovations, and ergonomic well-being. Our core competencies in engineering, industrial design, product quality and responsive customer support make Kensington The Professionals’ Choice^™.

Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Kensington operates as the technology division of ACCO Brands (NYSE: ACCO), one of the world’s largest designers, marketers and manufacturers of branded business, academic and consumer products, sold in more than 100 countries across the globe.

Kensington is the inventor and worldwide leader in laptop security locks, the acknowledged leader of Trackball innovation and offers a broad range of premium-branded desktop productivity solutions.