<p>In the list of things to bring to campus, a laptop lock is listed. Do people actually use those locks and has there been much theft of laptops on campus?</p>
<p>If you're careful, your laptop won't get stolen. If you aren't, it might. Laptop theft is probably second to bicycle theft in crimes on campus. I don't use a laptop lock, but I also always lock my room, and I trust my roommate to do the same.</p>
<p>Are there any suggested special methods to lock up a laptop and external hard drive in the room for extra safety? Maybe a mini-locker or something lockable
under the bed? What if a student or roommate gets careless one day?</p>
<p>What I meant is a box rather than a cable-type apparatus ...
When there's lots on your mind, it's easy to get a bit careless.</p>
<p>Check out the laptop safes at DormVAULT</a> Personal Safes. They're pretty expensive, though. You probably won't need one if you're careful to always lock your room.</p>
<p>I can't say for sure since all of the colleges' facilities are different, but usually the doors are set up to lock automatically (kinda like hotel room doors) unless you rig it to not lock, so there's not too much of an issue of forgetting to lock it. I never locked mine and had no problem. I've seen one or two people with their laptop locked to their desk, but it's definitely not the norm.</p>
<p>Very reassuring. Thanks, Thelonius. I'm going to try to stop being such a worry wart. And thanks to Patsmom, too.</p>
<p>
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Laptop theft is probably second to bicycle theft
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<p>Actually I think ipods are second and laptops 3rd. Most of the thefts are ones left unattended in an academic building or common area instead of in the room. Using some common sense about not leaving things unattended even to go to the bathroom can head off most crimes of opportunity. RUPD has begun confiscating unattended items, unlocked bikes, etc to encourage responsible locking and attention to theft issues.</p>
<p>I gave DD a cable lock but she never used it. I would not go to the expense of anything else since that won't be used either. Get the cable lock and then you can say "I gave it to you."</p>
<p>D does use a laptop cable lock. It just makes it less appealing to steal because you'd really have to work on it. I think of it the same way I think of alarm systems - just makes it too much trouble.</p>
<p>If you're smart about where you put/leave your stuff (and most of the time, even if you're not), you should be fine. Make sure you register your stuff with RUPD at the beginning of the year so if it does get stolen you have a better chance of recovering it, but if you have it with you whenever you take it out of your room, and as long as you either keep your room locked or have someone in it when it's not, you should be fine. I've never actually heard of something getting stolen out of a room (though I'm sure it's happened). Stuff most often gets taken when you leave your stuff sitting out at the library and you get up to go do use the bathroom or something along those lines.</p>
<p>I was worried about this before coming to Rice but it turns out it is not much of an issue (for me at least). It is very unlikely that someone will walk into your room and steal a laptop--but I suppose it may happen.</p>
<p>Just for the record, all Rice buildings are card-access protected. All residential college public doors are also card-access protected (and in some cases key-protected). There are a few exceptions to this, especially with first floor living arrangements. Academic buildings and college commons are usually kept unlocked from about 8am to 7pm on weekdays.</p>
<p>There are a few different door types. Some doors are card-access (with your ID and hence if you lose that you have bigger problems) and others are key access. I would say you should only be worried if you are on the first floor. If you are not, I think as long as you don't leave your laptop lying around in public places and don't make enemies, your laptop will be fine.</p>
<p>I own a lock (courtsey of a concerned mother) BUT i havent ever used it.</p>
<p>In our res. college (Wiess) all doors shut automatically. Now, if you are careful and dont prop your door, there wont be a problem</p>
<p>My suite has something like 7 computers in it and nothing is liocked because we keep our door shut</p>
<p>FYI, most lappy theft is from the library and places where people leave their laptop in the opne or fall asleep with it</p>
<p>"FYI, most lappy theft is from the library and places where people leave their laptop in the opne or fall asleep with it"</p>
<p>Perhaps they need to install cameras in the library to minimize this theft. Another thought is to have a hotline where the victim sets up a reward and have people call in anonymously with tips. If I were to see a roomate appear with a laptop no box no manual then that would have me thinking>>>>..Hotline number</p>
<p>Yes. that hotline is 713-348-6000</p>
<p>the cops. You can report anonymously</p>
<p>Anyways, i think no cameras is better. Cameras would mean they could see everything that happens in the library be it bad or not. For example, a simple one is sneaking food into the library or hiding there after dark etc..</p>
<p>I think students, who are all adults need to be careful and not sleep in a public space with their laptop on the desk. Be careful and put it aaway</p>
<p>Fondren Library is 6 floors (plus basement) with several hundred desks, study carrels, and overstuffed chairs. While there are 2 or three large open rooms that could be covered with just one or two cameras, a lot of them are tucked away for privacy and quiet, making covering them with cameras practically impossible. A better solution is to ask students to take a minimum level of responsibility and not leave easily transportable objects worth several thousand dollars lying around in a public space.</p>
<p>Though I feel like most thefts on campus aren't committed by students, but by non-Rice people.</p>
<p>FYI, the biggest rash of thefts from student rooms in the last ~8 years was perpetrated by students. The card access security is only a deterrent for non-Rice people. I don't mean to suggest you should be paranoid about your fellow students, but don't be dumb about leaving your items unprotected.</p>