A while back we looked at various options for locking down your laptop: retractable locking systems, motion-sensing alarms, and LoJack-style recovery services. These are effective solutions, but they’ll set you back a few bucks. Lifehacker found a free alternative in LaptopAlarm, an interesting software-based security system. When you need to step away from your notebook, just run the program. If someone tries to log off/shut down your machine, disconnect the power supply, or even unplug the mouse, LaptopAlarm will sound the alarm (unless provided with the proper password).
The only downside I can see is that a prospective thief won’t know about the alarm, so it won’t really deter him from trying to snatch your notebook. But it certainly might cause him to put it down again (and, who knows, maybe it’ll attract the attention of a nearby cop). I’m definitely planning to put LaptopAlarm to use the next time I hit the local coffee shop.
