Cubicle Security For Laptops, Electronics? 532
kamikasee writes "I recently found out that I'm going to be moved from an office to a cubicle. The cubicle area is not very secure, and I'm worried about things wandering off. My boss has offered to buy some equipment to help me secure things, but so far I haven't found anything that fits my requirements. Google and Amazon searches are overwhelmed by lockable key cabinets and larger pieces of furniture. Here are some of the requirements: The main issue with traditional solutions (e.g. locking things in a drawer) is convenience. I use a laptop with a second LCD monitor. There's also an external keyboard and mouse and a USB hard drive. I leave my laptop on at night so I can remote-desktop into it, so I'm not really happy about putting it in a drawer (no ventilation), plus I don't like the idea of having to 'unharness' everything every time I want to put it away. I don't trust cable locks. Besides, cable locks won't help me secure my the USB drive and other electronics that might wander off. The solution I imagine is a lockable, ventilated metal box that would sit under the monitor and house most of the electronics. If it was big enough, I could stick my laptop into it at night (while leaving it running) and feel confident that it would still be there in the morning. I'd be open to other types of solutions. Surely someone else must have dealt with this problem."
Never dealt with that sort of problem (Score:4, Insightful)
YMMV.
No kidding! (Score:5, Insightful)
Where do you work that people are stealing stuff all the time?
Or are you just mega-paranoid?
Re:No kidding! (Score:5, Insightful)
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Re:No kidding! (Score:5, Insightful)
[rant]
You know...I'm getting very tired of everyone having to walk on egg shells to avoid the 'racism' card being thrown at them.
At no time, did I, nor many other threads here that said it was often the cleaning service...mention race. Only categories of jobs were mentioned...Rent-a-cops, janitors, etc. Now...if one ethnic group tends to predominate in one of these jobs where you work, and they happen to be stealing stuff, it doesn't make it any less true that it was the cleaning crew.
God...lets face it. Sometimes, black people sell crack. Sometimes hispanic people steal things, some asian drivers are poor drivers, sometimes white people are white trash. These are truths...they happen. Not everyone of a race does these things, but, some do, and I'm getting sick and tired of when someone points out that someone of a certain race has done something wrong, that they are either labeled racist or afraid they'll be thought of as one. Sometimes actions of a person *DO* play into a stereotype...it happens, and if you see it and say it, it does not make you a racist. That is only if you make blanket statements that ALL [insert race here]'s steal things while at work, are you making a racist statement.
Geez, lets all grow some thicker skin, and not be so quick to throw the racist card, and lets not be so scared of having it played, that we're scared to say something that might in some cases, happen to be true.
[/rant]
Re:No kidding! (Score:4, Interesting)
I just think it's somewhat shocking that over 90% of our cleaning and cafeteria crews are Hispanic, and over 90% of our security guards are African American. That in and of itself seems like some sort of unnatural self-selection.
Re:No kidding! (Score:5, Interesting)
I work at a very large medical school in the Bronx with real professionals and trust everyone who gets a badge. Thus it was strange when a rash of laptop thefts hit the complex that I work in. Each disappearance happened in broad daylight, oftentimes when a researcher had just stepped out to smoke a cigarette, go to the bathroom etc.
You would be amazed at how quickly a person's progressive attitude is changed when their laptop is stolen. The European researchers blamed the Chinese, the Chinese blamed the South Americans and the Americans (myself included) .... blamed other Americans. In either case, morale in the entire place was shot. People were seen bringing their laptops into the bathroom (for non-masturbatory purposes!). No one trusted anyone else.
After almost a hundred thefts security stopped a guy in a Fed-Ex uniform with a bag full of laptops. He got past the checkpoint by claiming that his packages had to be signed in person by the noted party (warning bells? We have a loading dock and people to do that.). When the cops came, he confessed only to stealing the laptops in his bag and claimed that it was his first time. The laptop thefts stopped for a few weeks.... and then started back up!
In the end it turned out to be one of the security guards. No one would have caught him if he hadn't been storing hot laptops IN HIS LOCKER. So the moral of the story is that if someone wants to steal your unattended laptop, they will.
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It's secure and still usable.
http://www.loxit.com/claptop.htm?gclid=CNbJ8-KxqJICFQxOMAodM21gLw [loxit.com]
Re:No kidding! (Score:5, Funny)
Lawyer: So you saw the defendant commit the crime?
Officer: No, another officer did.
Lawyer: And do you always trust everything other officers say?
Officer: I trust trust them with my life!
Lawyer:So officer, if you trust them with your life, tell me why you have locks on your lockers.
Officer: You see, our precinct just happens to be in the city courtouse. There are also lawyers in that building.
Re:No kidding! (Score:5, Insightful)
These are occasionally the same people.
serious no sarcasm answer (Score:4, Interesting)
2) cable lock for laptop and external monitor(they really are quite good)
3) pre boot authentication (integrated with finger pricnt reader)
4) full disk encryption - Utimaco Safeguard Easy (integrated with finger pricnt reader)
5) data dot dna (tiny dots with serial numbers that can be stuck/hidden on your equipment)
6) Computrace (software that cannot easily be removed and so when your stolen machine connects to the internet it will send its location to the computrace who will work with the ISP local law enforment to retrieve the stolen machine)
7) SafeEnd End point security, individually controls/records usb, i/o, ethernet ports
8) insurance
i got all this with my thinkpad, not because my co-workers are theives but because my companies insurance premiums are high and i have sensitive customer data on my machine which is required by law to be encrypted.
Re:serious no sarcasm answer (Score:4, Interesting)
It can lock the screen, play a sound file (I picked the extremely annoying high-pitched beep) when it is jiggled ever so slightly (adjustable sensitivity), take a pic of who/whatever's in front of it and ftp it to a server of your choosing and a few other options.
If you turn off the warning sound and set the sensitivity real high, anyone foolish enough to detach anything from your laptop will jiggle it enough to have his picture taken.
Re:serious no sarcasm answer (Score:5, Funny)
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MultiAlarm, which plays an extremely annoying high-pitched sound file - 175.95$
Getting your laptop smashed by a sledgehammer after your friendly co-worker accidently moved it - Priceless!
First, it only plays the annoying sound file if you select that option, which is not the interesting one here.
Second, $175.95? I remember downloading it for free. What on Earth are you talking about?
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Re:No kidding! (Score:5, Insightful)
I worked in one office where *dozens* of laptops were stolen over a period of *weeks* until the security company convinced the cleaning company to fire the guy with the felony theft record. The theft mysteriously stopped at that point.
Thinking "my coworkers are professional, so I need not fear theft" is naive at best.
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My workplace is so honest... (Score:5, Funny)
6 years ago.
It's still there.
Either that, or someone who does not normally drink has stashed the beer there in the event they do have to leave the company...
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Re:My workplace is so honest... (Score:5, Funny)
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5:01 in the reception area. But you can also move an existing fight to the reception area.
Sounds like a fun place to work at.
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6 years ago.
It's still there.
Unfortunately he also left a ground beef sandwich.
Re:Never dealt with that sort of problem (Score:5, Insightful)
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Place a few cameras around (even a few fake ones!), connect them to a video hub/DVR. To make employees happy and help them feel reassured that no one is contstantly watching the footage to see who is and who is not working efficiently or whatever, you place the kit inside a closet and place 2 or 3 differnt locks on it and give 1 of those keys to the HR rep
Re:Never dealt with that sort of problem (Score:4, Interesting)
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The only problem I had with thieves was a company I contracted for (wine and alcohol distrib). I left a 6-pack of Diet coke in the fridge the first day and it was gone the next. M
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The first, that "nobody will steal anything because they're all professional" is a true statement until somebody breaches the trust that other employees obviously have. You could ignore the risk until something goes missing, but do you want to be the first one affected by theft? Think of it as a trade-off. You're trading off the benefit of leaving your wallet out in the open versus the risk of somebody taking it. If your wallet is taken you are likely
Re:Never dealt with that sort of problem (Score:5, Informative)
One possible solution. (Score:3, Funny)
Of course, this depends on your security at home - you have to ask yourself if your home is more secure than your cubicle, and could the laptop possibly get lost in transit?
Another possibility - you could bury landmines near your cubicle to thwart any potential thieves. (You want the sort of landmine that you can deactivate during the day, though - I think you can purchase them on eBay.)
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Nah, that would just be silly.
I would just covertly hide it under the office carpeting..
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Translation of OP's question into Accurate English (Score:5, Insightful)
Don't Have stealable stuff (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Don't Have stealable stuff (Score:5, Interesting)
If you are bringing personal items (USB drive, iPod, cellphone, etc.) to work with you there are a few options:
- Leave this stuff at home
- Don't let it out of your sight and take it with you when you leave for lunch (this is what I do with my iPod/cellphone/etc. when working, although I can leave it out on my desk in plain sight and it will still be there later because my coworkers are not douchebags)
- Keep these items in a plain unassuming backpack under your desk
- Lock these items in a desk drawer when you are in the office and don't leave them at work
Also, why do you have a laptop if you're just going to leave it in the office when you go home? I've worked at places where that was grounds for dismissal. Don't they have a VPN where you work?Re: (Score:3)
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Re:Don't Have stealable stuff (Score:5, Insightful)
If my boss was moving me from an office into a cubicle, I'd be looking for another job. That's just insulting.
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If my boss was moving me from an office into a cubicle, I'd be looking for another job. That's just insulting.
It depends. Awhile back, a company I worked for moved locations, and everyone was given a cubicle except senior VPs and the president. It was called an "open office environment". I suppose it was still insulting, but it was not personal...
Re:Don't Have stealable stuff (Score:4, Funny)
At my office we've just moved into a cube farm. Some of us came from cubes, so it's not a big deal. One coworker had her own office; she's been fun to watch.
She's been bitching up a storm about how her cube, the door of which is visible from the pathway between cubes so people walking by can see what she's doing, isn't appropriate.
So far, she tried the following "remedies":
Re:Don't Have stealable stuff (Score:4, Interesting)
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Re:Don't Have stealable stuff (Score:5, Funny)
Remote-desktop to a laptop? (Score:3, Insightful)
At my work, we had a group that would regularly purchase 2 laptops for every developer: one for them to use at home, and one for them to Remote-desktop into. I think the idea was that developers could take their laptops to meetings, but would be able to Remote into it from home so they wouldn't have to replicate tools, etc. When we started purchasing centrally, we stopped that practice. If you have a laptop, it's because you need to be highly mobile, and you should take the laptop with you.
Laptops tend t
Simple solution (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Simple solution (Score:5, Insightful)
Quoted for great justice.
Company gear, company premises, company's obligation to secure it. if I came in to work tomorrow morning and my desktop computer and monitor were gone, I'd inform our IT manager and tell him to call me when they have been found or replaced.
Seriously, if you're not working for yourself, why on earth would you take your OWN laptop into a place of business? That's retarded.
Why would I bring my own laptop? (Score:3, Funny)
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Pity you have no idea what you are talking about. Its also a pity everyone wastes mod points constantly when they could save them for obvious flamebait like yours. You should really provide an example or two--and do your research too before you carelessly throw out misinformation, so you don't continue to appear so ignorant. The same goes for similar digs on linux.
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So your workplace doesn't provide you with the tools you need to do work?
Sheesh, these stories are variations on a theme of Frog Not Wanting To Get Out Of The Boiling Water.
Re:Simple solution (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Simple solution (Score:5, Funny)
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"Garage"? Hey, fellas, it's the "ga-rage".
Well, ooh la-dee-da, Mr. Frenchman. Around here, we call it a car hole.
A box could easily be stolen (Score:5, Insightful)
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If you're really that paranoid, just use the stinking cable lock, and hide the hard drive somewhere (it shouldn't need much ventilation). If someone really wants to steal your stuff, they're going to steal it u
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The submitter doesn't explicitly say that it's his fellow employees that he's worried about. There are plenty of workplace settings that are easily accessible to anyone who just wanders in off of the street.
For example, I work for a university. Typically, graduate students don't have their own offices, but get a cubicle in a large room shared by a dozen or more f
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This is where you want eyes in the sky. Seriously, I WANT cameras in the ceiling to discourage theft. It's ludicrous to have to be afraid that some asswipe is going to steal anything "that is not locked up or chained down." Get cameras, and then people just won't be able to get away with it. Then if some moronic grad student is stupid enough to throw away tens of thousands
So? Let them steal it... ON CAMERA! (Score:3, Informative)
Oh, and in the off-hand chance someone takes your laptop, just pull up the video/stills from the network and you'll have all the evidence you need to get the thief fired. Just print out the images, and take a nice little
2 words (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:2 words (Score:5, Funny)
Re:2 words (Score:5, Funny)
-Peter
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Re:2 words (Score:4, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
What condensation? (Score:5, Informative)
But...
If the only thing in his fridge is his laptop, there won't be any moisture in there anyway.
Even if he puts lettuce or some other unsealed moisture-providing item into the fridge, the HOTTEST thing in the fridge, and thus the last thing to get any condensation, is going to be the laptop.
And, in general...
You don't see condensation IN a fridge. Go open your fridge now and tell me how many items in there have condensation on them. Maybe none?
It's when you take your items OUT of the fridge that moisture condenses onto them, since they are colder than the air they are in.
So, really, no condensation worries, as long as he doesn't take the laptop out of a cold fridge.
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webcam (Score:3, Interesting)
Then you can catch the thieves & get your stuff back.
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Stupid thieves.
Now I'll just boot up my trusty laptop to view the video...
@!$!%!!!
Easy! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Easy! (Score:5, Funny)
We got a lot laughs and comments from visitors. Most would knock on our pretend door.
Our Korean boss did not understand the humor at all.
Since he refused to use our indicated door, one day we bought a pre-hung door and set it up.
Mind you there were no walls, just this door-frame and door to our office in the middle of the big room.
He didn't say a word, but the following Monday the door and the tape on the floor was gone.
There was also a memo about no more personal items of any kind to be brought into work.
Spoil sport
Re:Easy! (Score:5, Insightful)
Then I heard "Can I help you?" And I jumped. I turned around and there was a bearded guy in a sleeping bag. I said ".....uhhhhhh......sorry" and leaped out of there.
I never did find out who it was or why he did that. I wasn't really supposed to be in that area of the building at that time so asking around was a no-go.
If anybody knows, I'd like to hear it. This was about 1990 in DeAnza 3 or 4.
I didn't bother to count how many words... (Score:5, Funny)
Also, to back up the laser grid, I'd go with some more conventional systems, eg an automated machine gun turret and an anti-personnel mine field.
Re:I didn't bother to count how many words... (Score:4, Interesting)
My daughter got one of these toy safes with a "laser" security system. You have to teach it a passcode, and it won't open without it. But if you disrupt the little beams across its door, it starts an annoying klaxon and light-show that lasts a long 30 seconds. I cringed at her must-be-secure attitude, locking up her little valuables, especially since she's an ONLY CHILD. I tripped it "accidentally" a couple times just so she would feel like it was doing its job.
However, I'm quite happy with how it backfired. Very valuable security lessons! It has taught her that security is inversely proportional to convenience, that the more complicated a mechanism is the more likely it will fail, that honestly accidental infractions can't be prosecuted like infractions with intent, and when a security system fails she can't access her own stuff. It eats batteries like crazy. It acts stupid when the batteries are low, so she has to recode it every week or two. Also, it blinks red at weird intervals all night to remind her that either she can't trust people around her, or she is being unnecessarily paranoid. I think the safe is now without batteries and empty.
Re:I didn't bother to count how many words... (Score:4, Funny)
Where the hell do you work??? (Score:4, Interesting)
The most I've done security-wise is to avoid leaving some of the more likely theft targets out in the open, but I've never worried about actually locking them away.
In the companies that I have worked for, if things disappear off of desks, someone (co-workers, cleaning staff, whatever) is going to be fired for it.
Lateral thinking... (Score:5, Funny)
so.. why have a laptop? (Score:4, Insightful)
If you just use a regular tower you can user a large internal drive, or a few larger internal drives, removing the need for the extra drive. Then your problem becomes securing a tower. There are many desks and enclosers for securing towers.
As for a keyboard and mouse, if you're worried about your keyboard and mouse being stolen I'd recommend you find another job.
Physical and logical security (Score:5, Informative)
You can get some decent cable locks that are Bic Pen resistant. I use these:
http://us.kensington.com/html/11208.html [kensington.com]
on all my equipment, be it desktop or laptop. Of course, they can be cut, but it would be a dedicated effort to do so.
First, the locking cabinet is an idea, but of course if someone is desperate enough to cut cable locks, they likely will try for the cabinet if its not bolted down. You could go with a motion detecting alarm, or a locking cable that has an alarm that will sound if cut, but co-workers will get really annoyed if the system makes false alarms often.
Kensington's alarmed lock: http://us.kensington.com/html/6311.html [kensington.com]
Second, have you considered a dock for your laptop, if one is available? Almost all docks have some way of locking the laptop to the dock either via a lever and a padlock or something using a Kensington lock slot. Then, you can hook all your monitors and items to the dock and just do a simple eject to hit the road with your laptop.
Third, have you considered logical security? If you are worried about data theft as opposed to physical, consider something like TrueCrypt that can encrypt your Windows boot/system drive, and also encrypt data on external drives. If you use keyfiles, after you type in your preboot passphrase, the external drives can automount while still providing security from thieves. For further protection, you can use TrueCrypt on external drives, and use PGP's whole disk encryption with a cryptographic hardware token. Then, you can use cable locks for your devices and if someone does steal one, it will be "merely" a hardware theft rather than hardware and sensitive data.
Last, if you can't find a metal box, have you considered hitting a metal shop with the dimensions of what you want for a cage, and having them weld you up one? I have had this done (and the cage bolted down solidly) when I wanted to make sure some file servers, switch, and a router would not be stolen. Even though I did not know who other than myself had the key to the room the equipment was in, only I had the key to that cage, so I knew that the equipment might be powered off or perhaps vandalized, it wouldn't be stolen without some major effort. A welder can use pinless hinges and tabs so someone attempting to break into the cage by a crowbar wouldn't be successful.
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Kensington Locks stop passers by stealing your laptop.
They do not stop thieves. I've seen a demonstration where the t-bar is prised out of the laptop in under 5 seconds with a screwdriver. Yes, the plastic case of the laptop around the lockhole will be damaged, but other than that, the laptop will be fine.
All the advertising blurb about the strength of the cable is nonsense, the weak point on all laptop security cables is the an
Perfect solution (Score:5, Funny)
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Or an extension to your solution - get crappier stuff, take the logos off it, and stick it on your stuff. Once your HP branded laptop has 'Apple' written all over it nobody will touch it.
...
Ouch ouch the flames are burning me!!!
Suck it up, princess. (Score:5, Insightful)
Your laptop and associated paraphernalia are the property of your company. If they happen to find legs then that's an issue for your company to deal with, not you. Hopefully you back up your data, so if your laptop does grow legs it's just a day or two to get up and running with a new lappy.
Besides, your co-workers are in the same position, so if they're not reporting thefts then you probably won't be either. And if there is a problem of theft in your office then perhaps you should be pushing your manager to make your workplace more secure, rather just just your workspace.
High voltage (Score:5, Funny)
Is a solution really what he wants (Score:5, Insightful)
My suspicion is that the poster really kinda wants his office back and is making excuses. If this is the case it is natural that no solution is going to work.
Tuff Shed (Score:3, Funny)
If this is the case it is natural that no solution is going to work.
Oh, I think there is a solution that will work, he just needs to get a lockable container that is a little bigger. Something that can't be stolen, and will hold all his equipment without inconveineince. Something that will make him feel more at home again. That's right, he needs to get a Tuff Shed. Just plop it right down in the middle of the cubefarm. Sure he won't have any lighting, but he's a programmer dog-gone-it; the glow of his monitor is all the light he needs. And when the boss asks what the hell
Downgraded to a cubicle, eh? (Score:3, Funny)
Hi, I just got demoted... (Score:5, Funny)
If I had half a brain I'd have treated these folks with respect, or at least would now be trying to make a few friends, but frankly I am just so superior that I can't be bothered. I'm sure that they all resent me -- excuse me -- are envious of me -- and that they are just lying in wait to steal my stuff (OK, it's the company's stuff, but hey it's got MY porn on it, so that's like it's mine) and probably spit on my keyboard and give some horrible cube dweller disease.
So I'm taking preemptive action by bitching and moaning about how everyone else here is dishonest. That way maybe they'll be scared to mess with my stuff, cause everybody knows that I'm on to them.
Easy... (Score:5, Funny)
Get the laptop case laser-engraved with goatse. Who's gonna steal it then?
A solution: webcam. But you have other problems... (Score:5, Insightful)
For security, put up a webcam or two in your new cubicle: both overlooking your workspace. Make sure they are visible and have bright or blinking LEDs, so they'll be really noticed. Put up a warning sign saying that this space is remotely monitored and digitally recored. Even if it really isn't, the warning should be enough to keep the basic rif-raff away. Sometimes deterrence is better than physical security...
Now then. Here's the real problem.
You speak as if this notebook is your personal property. It really shouldn't be. Your company should be supplying you with the equipment you need to do your job, and if the company equipment gets stolen when you're not around, that's the company's fucking problem, not yours.
Secondly, you say this notebook has an external monitor, standalone keyboard and separate mouse. That sure sounds like a desktop computer to me. Get one instead of the notebook, and the chances of your computer walking off are slim to none.
Third, what place are you working in where you fear your stuff will be taken? I've done time in cubicles since 1988, in places ranging from digital sweatshops, to NASA-type work with spaceship software support, to fortune-500 joints. Never once have I ever had anything taken from my desk more serious than a stapler. I don't even lock the drawers or file cabinets.
Maybe it's time to look for a new shop, since they don't supply you properly, kicked you out of your office, and they employ co-workers that you fear will steal your shit.
It's been said a gazillion times... (Score:4, Insightful)
1. Don't bring your personal property to work. I don't, even though I work in a very professional environment; this is no reflection on the people I have working alongside me, it's a reflection on the clients. I have no idea of house policies regarding contractors' equipment hence I don't take the chance that they'll say "Oh, you're missing the tools of your trade? Well, tough shit." I take what I need to get the job done and I do a head count before and after. And NO WAY IN HELL do I take my eyes off of anything with a screen (notebook, PDA, whatever). Heck, the only cash I take a £10 stash for a meal and a bus. Apart from my keys and the clothes on my back, and a wouldn't-want-to-steal-it Nokia 3410.
2. Find another job. It's obvious you're insecure about your work environment, and who could blame you for making that decision? You're obviously not happy which must severely impact on your productivity.
As to notebook security in and of itself, the two things I would do if I really needed to leave one onsite for remote login are: a. remove the battery. These are expensive to replace, and nobody in their right mind would consider buying a hot laptop with no battery, and b. put a supervisor and a user password on the BIOS (both different and nondictionary words), this renders the unit completely useless to anyone who doesn't have your memory and your battery, as obviously the moment they unplug it it will power off. As a postnote, mark the unit in such a way as to make it screamingly identifiable (such as the inside of the bezel in acid etch or the battery bay by the same method) without too much effort.
Kamikasee's not even a /. regular (Score:3, Interesting)
My On-Topic comments have all been covered by others, Get a Desktop, Webcams, Lockable cabinets, Leave your personal laptop at home, let the company handle it, etc.
Makes me wonder if he just got kicked from one of the other sites... Or that his (personal) laptop is behind a work firewall blocking slashdot... Or that he was an arrogant jerk in the office that's about to get his comeuppance in the cube farm...
$30 webcam (Score:3, Insightful)
Sure, it'll still get stolen. Assuming your office has even basic security to ensure only known people enter, you'll also have a nice and recognizable picture of the thief on a machine they can't access. The next morning, you walk in, grab the image, have them pulled in front of their manager, demand the return of the laptop, have them fired and press charges.
Honestly, the vast majority of cases where people have been convinced someone's stolen their stuff, everywhere I've worked, have turned out to be their misplacing things. Most likely, the theft rate is nowhere near what you fear it is.
Locking your laptop in a big ol box is an ugly pain in the ass for little gain. Hell, if someone really wants it, a crowbar will get through most of them, bolt cutters will get through most chains. And it does nothing to protect the iPod, digital camera, phone, etc. you left beside it. A simple webcam, backing up externally, does a far better job of protecting everything so long as it's subtly enough hidden so no one has any idea they need to avoid being seen by it.
The biggest problem with physical security measures... If someone's determined, they try forcing it. You may get lucky and not have them manage to get whatever they went for... But it'll likely get trashed in the process. The University of the West of England added those U plates to their PC cases, years back... All that happened was thieves trashed the cases. A few less got stolen but they were pretty much destroyed anyway. Having a picture of the thief with your still 100% intact laptop is way better than their trashing it, trying to get it out of a cage.
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Nice in theory, too bad it won't necessarily work out that way.
True story:
Where I work (with offices), a female manager noticed when she'd come in in the morning that items on her desk were misplaced, the computer was on when she'd turned it off and did exactly what you suggested, bought a webcam and left it running.
Seems a member of the cleaning crew
the perfect solution (Score:5, Insightful)
This is a common problem and what you're looking for is called a desktop computer. It's a box that sits under the monitor with all the electronics enclosed inside. It even has fans and vents to keep it all working at a proper temperature.
Seriously, the whole point of a laptop is that it's portable and convenient to carry around, which also makes it easy to steal. The desktop can do all the things you need and will probably be more powerful than your laptop and cost about the same as some kind of powered box for locking your laptop in.
Then you can just leave the laptop locked in your drawer for when you need to work away from the desk.
It's the cleaning crew (Score:3, Informative)
[off-topic point] -- How are you connecting from home, i.e. are you using a company machine or your own? Don't use your own personal equipment to connect to the company network. Being a slash-dotter you're probably smart enough to keep a system virus-free, but there's always that rare zero-day exploit that could slip into the company via your machine - points off for you. Or someone else connecting from home who is less careful could introduce malware into the company network. After that is cleaned up, which will cost a lot of time and money, management will want the IT/Security dept to perform a binary colonoscopy on every personal PC ever connected to the network, and for HR to institute a policy stating: "connecting a non-company computer to the company network is grounds for termination". NOTE: A similiar policy is in place where I work.
Working in a crack house (Score:3, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
LoJack also offers a facility for remote deletion of data so if a really sensitive laptop is stolen, it can be securely erased by remote, similar to how one can wipe Blackberries and Windows Mobile devices if lost or stolen.