Summary

Computers are expensive and easy to steal. It's a matter of both common sense and sad experience to protect your computer and related equipment against theft and damage caused by fires, flood, and other natural or human disasters. You should do everything possible to make your computer difficult to steal and to minimize possible damage.

And if some miscreant does steal your computer, you should make the data files stored inside difficult or impossible to open and read. Passwords, fingerprint readers and other biometric systems, and encrypted data are all effective techniques for preventing unwanted access to your confidential information.

Insurance should also be part of your personal or corporate computer security plan. Your own insurance agent and experts at chambers of commerce and professional organizations can all offer helpful advice about the right kind of insurance coverage for you particular needs.

Unfortunately, physical security is not the only threat to your computer. Viruses, spyware, hackers, and crackers are all widespread problems. If you ever connect your computer to the Internet or any other network, or if you install software from sources you can't trust implicitly, it's absolutely essential to use a firewall, antivirus program, and anti-spyware utility.