Identity theft is quite rampart today. Consequently, we can't say that we weren't warned, if ours is stolen, because there is information everywhere on how to protect our important and personal information. We also read much about protecting the data on our computers from prying eyes as well as from viruses and other harmful malware. But one thing we don't hear too much about is keeping our physical computer safe.

Granted, if we have a regular desktop PC, there is only so much we can do to protect it. But what about the gazillions of laptops that people take with them - just about anywhere they go - traveling in airports, staying in hotels, the local coffee bistro, bookstore or other hangouts. What can be done so that we don't lose just our data and important information - but our whole physical laptop?

Someone has best said it as this - "treat your laptop just as cash". Now think about it. It makes perfect sense.

We wouldn't leave a couple of hundred dollars setting on a table top while we go buy a coffee. We wouldn't leave a pile of money on the seat of our car. We wouldn't leave a bunch of hundred dollar bills laying on a dresser in a motel room. So if we wouldn't do it with money, why would we do it with out laptops?

Based on this, here are things that you can do to prevent your laptop from being stolen:

We don't let our money lay around loose on a table, but rather keep it secure in a wallet, in a money clip, or in the bank. While we can't hide our laptop in our pocket, we can keep it locked and secure. We can tether it to an immovable object so that it doesn't disappear.

We don't keep our wallets on the floor. No we keep them up, within close reach, and keep them in our pockets or purses. Same thing with our laptops. We should not just let them lay unattended and out of the way on the floor, we should keep them up and by our sides. If they must be on the floor they should be by our feet (or in between them) so we have a continual reminder of where it is at.

We don't leave our bank account numbers laying around or write out ATM PIN's on our bank cards, so why should we leave or write our passwords on our laptops?

When traveling in foreign countries where there is danger of being robbed, we don't carry all of our money in a bulging wallet in our hip pocket advertising to all criminals where our loot is. No we carry our money in a breast pocket or carry it in a special holder under out shirt. Same with laptops. Why carry them in laptop bags and advertise to the world we have a laptop PC in our laptop bag. We could just as easy carry them in another bag of some sort, like a backpack, brief case or piece of luggage.

We don't leave cash laying on the seat or dash of cars, so why leave laptops locked in our car where they can be seen by anyone walking by. We should at least hide them - if possible.

When in crowds we are mindful of pickpockets so we pay attention. Same as with laptops. We need to be vigilant when we have them with us. When we are in security lines at the airport we cannot leave them out of our site for one minute.

When staying in hotels, we don't leave money or jewelry laying around on the dresser or bed. No we put them in a safe if we are going out for the night. Same with laptops. If there is a safe big enough for it, that is the safest place. But if not, we should at least attempt to hide it somewhat and secure it down to an immovable object.

If we have a bunch of cash or valuables at home, we usually have a burglar alarm. Same as with laptops. Some laptops can be alarmed to sound an alarm under specific conditions.

Our laptops can be kept safe if we only think a little. If we think about this basic premise of treating our laptops as cash we will save ourselves a lot of cash, headaches and frustration by not having our laptops lost or stolen.