
Consumers certainly fear so...
Published: 18 May 2007 14:52 GMT
Carrying a laptop in a laptop bag could increase your chances of joining the growing number of people falling prey to laptop thieves.
Just consider these police reports from some of the laptop thefts in the UK.
- While walking along the road [the victim] is approached from behind and knocked against a wall banging his head. Offender then pulls [the victim's] laptop case off his shoulder making good his escape.
- During the hours of darkness two unknown male offenders approach from behind, remove laptop case containing laptop and mobile phone from [the victim's] right hand. Offenders then make good escape with same in unknown direction.
- Offenders during darkness hours approach [the victim] while getting out of his vehicle and proceed to snatch laptop bag from his shoulder and make off.
These incident reports, obtained by a Freedom of Information Act enquiry, are indicative of the types of theft and robberies happening in alarming and increasing numbers on UK streets as more people carry expensive laptops which are attractive to opportunist criminals.
And the fact the three above all involved laptops carried in a laptop case may be no coincidence.
Research conducted by silicon.com has found the vast majority of laptop users believe carrying their computer in a branded and conspicuous laptop bag puts them at far greater risk than if they use a sports holdall or backpack to carry their hardware.
Criminals are looking for easy targets and a straight choice between a laptop bag, boasting a manufacturer's logo, or a backpack which could contain nothing more exciting than a gym kit or lunchbox, makes the person with the laptop bag more likely to become a bag-snatch target.
In all, 85 per cent of respondents to a silicon.com poll said they believe laptop bags make them more likely targets for criminals. Less than two per cent said they don't believe that to be the case, while 13 per cent said they believe the risk to be the same whatever type of bag you carry your laptop in.
It really goes without saying, if you have a lapto...
Mark Kobayashi-Hillary
If you are worried, use a grocery shop plastic bag...
G Slater
Elementary common sense - don't advertise goodies ...
James Button
I've never used a laptop bag - if I take my notebo...
Silly to give name!
A few years back I had purchased an expensive new ...
Anonymous
Seek and propose opportunities to improve the processes wherever possible The main purpose is to ensure clients are able to carry out their ...
Technical systems and platform design experience gained within the consumer electronics arena - mobile phones, netbooks, Laptops, Sat Nav, PNDs or ...
Key Responsibilities / Duties: Own the supporting and troubleshooting of hardware and software across Windows desktops and laptops (engaging with ...
Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.
Stories from the web...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
Clive Longbottom Windows 7: Not perfect - but ready for prime time Microsoft's latest OS fixes most of Vista's ills - but still has challenges ahead
Stephen Kleynhans Mind the details with Windows 7 Just because it might work better than Vista, it doesn't mean you can be sloppy