PC Magazine recently had a piece on the growing epidemic of laptop theft.

Apparently, 12,000 laptops each week sprout legs NOT belonging to their owners — and venture off with strangers of ill-intent (Ponemon Institute and Dell Computer). This mostly happens in “high distraction places” like airport security checkpoints, departure gates and drinking establishments where business execs and road warriors are educating clients and prospects on the finer points of this phenomenon called, The Final Four.

In an RV, where you may be roaming with the bears or enjoying Grand Ol’ Opry while your mobile office on wheels lies unwatched (at least, by you, that is), how can you protect your stuff?

Once stolen, only three in 10 travelers ever recover their laptops (fewer land the prospect’s account). As for the confidential info or customer data lost from the absent PC or tongue loosened by spirits during said Final Four outing, it’ll show up — in your competitor’s next Exclusive Priduct, and your Corporate Termination Exit Review…

PC Magazine SLIDESHOW (10)
Slideshow | All Shots

Laptop security is a crap-shoot. Best we can do is hope to thwart thieves. When I’m shacked up in a hotel — but venture out to a local haunt or watering hole, I leave my laptop in plain sight — locked tightly around a permanent fixture with a cable lock.

Beyond cable locks, other solutions include proximity alarms, software and duct tape to strap the laptop to your hands. Actually, PC offered a slideshow on 10 Laptop Security Products to keep your laptop and its data yours. Products include the PC Guardian Ezolution Multi Combo RS, Mobile Edge SecuriCable Key Lock, Targus Laptop Privacy Screens, Datamation Snap It Laptop Security Cable, Hush Communications StealthSurfer, M2SYS M2-S1 Fingerprint Reader, Yoggie Pico Personal, and LaptopLock.

Among their other suggested products:

Belkin F5L013 USB Laptop Security Alarm. The F5L013 USB Laptop Security Alarm ($23). Connect the alarm to your laptop via USB, set the alarm with an activation key, and anchor your laptop around a secure object using the cable. If the cable is cut or disconnected, the alarm will sound, and (hopefully) scare the thief off, the reviewer noted.

Kensington MicroSaver Keyed Retractable Notebook Lock. Last year, I used a Kensington cable lock for the HP tablet PC on Home Office Highway. This year, Kensington scales down the size and bulk of traditional notebook locks with its MicroSaver Keyed Retractable Notebook Lock ($34.99) With a four-foot retractable steel cable, a tempered steel security loop, and built-in lock defense, your laptop is likely to remain, well, yours.