Article 4485 of comp.society.privacy: Path: news.PEAK.ORG!news.orst.edu!wsrcc.com!wetware!ditka!unixhub!fnnews.fnal.gov!uwm.edu!computer-privacy-request From: "Prof. L. P. Levine" Newsgroups: comp.society.privacy Subject: Warning on Thefts of Laptops Date: 31 Jan 1996 00:42:20 GMT Organization: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lines: 63 Sender: comp-privacy@uwm.edu Approved: comp-privacy@uwm.edu Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.2.6 X-Original-Submission-Date: 28 Jan 1996 11:23:18 -0600 (CST) X-Submissions-To: comp-privacy@uwm.edu X-Administrivia-To: comp-privacy-request@uwm.edu X-Computer-Privacy-Digest: Volume 8, Issue 010, Message 12 of 13 X-Auth: PGPMoose V1.1 PGP comp.society.privacy iQBFAwUBMQ6elDNf3+97dK2NAQGZbgF+Jv64CGP/CdiWds99bbzkBvImgQPEjHDl Xv7p8nODOSolY6zSFRT05N6d6WVW38Ya =Idl6 Originator: levine@blatz.cs.uwm.edu Taken from RISKS-LIST: Risks-Forum Digest Thursday 25 January 1996 Volume 17 : Issue 67 FORUM ON RISKS TO THE PUBLIC IN COMPUTERS AND RELATED SYSTEMS (comp.risks) ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy, Peter G. Neumann, moderator From: "Tom Zmudzinski" Date: 24 Jan 96 11:09:41 EST Subject: Warning on Thefts of Laptops (fwd from Buddy Guynn) The following advisory is being provided by Mr. Buddy Guynn, DMC Montgomery Security Manager. He received the information from the Army Material Command regarding the security of Laptop Computers during travel. 1. The following information is valid not only for laptops but also for other items of value such as briefcases while you are in domestic or international travel status: "Laptop computers have become a premium target for theft throughout Europe. Every international traveler who is anticipating on carrying a laptop computer with them must remain on constant alert as they traverse through all airports. Two methods of theft have already occurred at separate airports and the techniques that were used to steal the laptop computers can occur at any airport. Both methods involved two thieves to carry out the theft. Recently, Brussels Airport security advised that one method involved the use of security x-ray machines. The first thief would precede the traveler through the security check point and then loiter around the area where the carry-on luggage had already been examined. When the traveler places his laptop computer onto the conveyer belt of the x-ray machine, the second thief would step in front of the traveler and set off the metal detector. While the traveler was being delayed, the first thief would remove the traveler's laptop computer from the conveyer belt just after it had gone through the x-ray machine and quickly disappear. The most recent method of theft just occurred at the Frankfurt International Airport, Germany, while the traveler was walking around a crowd of people in the airport terminal. The traveler, who was carrying his laptop computer on his rollbag, was preceded by the first thief. Just as the traveler got around the crowd of people, the first thief stopped abruptly, causing the traveler to stop abruptly. When they stopped momentarily, a second thief, who had been following just behind them, quickly removed the traveler's laptop computer from his rollbag and disappeared in the crowd." 2. All travelers, both international and domestic, are urged to be alert to the above methods used in stealing computers and always be mindful of any abrupt diversions during your travels. Report any losses immediately to authorities. Keep serial numbers, make, and model information of your laptop computers, or of any items of value, separate from the item so you can give precise information to authorities if the items are stolen. 3. Request widest dissemination of this correspondence.