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R E V I E W

Gone in 6.0 Seconds

September 30, 2002
By Mike DeMaria

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Lockdown Devices

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	In this article
	Introduction
	The Eighth Commandment
	Disk-Encryption Software
	Report Card: Disk Encryption Software
	Lockdown Devices
	Report Card: Lockdown Devices
	Recovery Services
	Report Card: Recovery Services
	Executive Summary
	File-Encryption Products

Products Reviewed: PC Guardian Notebook Guardian | Kensington Technology Group Sonic Lock Motion-Detecting Alarm | Kensington Technology Group Notebook ComboSaver | Targus Defcon 1 Ultra

Lockdown devices are designed to deter, not prevent, theft. These products fall into two main categories: traditional steel-cable kits and motion-activated siren alarms. We tested both types. PC Guardian's Notebook Guardian (both the standard and ultra models) and Kensington Technology Group's ComboSaver are steel-cable kits. Targus' Defcon 1 Ultra and Kensington's Sonic Lock are alarms. Most notebooks have a security slot on its side, known as the Kensington lock after the company that patented it, and all the products we tested lock to the laptop via this slot.

The cables are made out of multiple strands of thin, hardened steel, bundled and twisted together, and encased in a plastic coating. Even the heaviest kit weighs barely one pound, but remember, the more steel in the cable, the harder to cut through. There are several options for the locking mechanism, including combination, keyed lock and keyed lock with a master key. The locks come with two keys, and there are no override capabilities for a combination lock.

The motion-alarm devices are easier and quicker to disable, but they require more preparation work for the thief. Also, if the thief fails to act quickly enough, the alarm will attract more attention than a cut cable--these products emit a 100-dB siren when jostled. Of course, there is a strong possibility of false alarms, and we all know how people ignore car alarms. And the thief could place a hand over the speaker, greatly diminishing the volume. There is a 4- to 8-second delay between the time the device detects movement and the time it goes off, giving a legitimate user time to enter the combination. You need to replace the batteries every few months.

We pitted these devices against one another to determine which one we could discreetly disable more quickly. We considered 30 seconds with little noise enough time to steal a laptop without being noticed. This was, of course, assuming the device was secured to a desk in an office--it takes only a second or two to grab a laptop bag in public. Following this logic we awarded our Editor's Choice for lockdown devices to PC Guardian's Notebook Guardian Ultra because it was so difficult to cut through.

PC Guardian Notebook Guardian

PC Guardian sent us two versions of its Notebook Guardian product, standard and ultra.

Both devices are simple steel cable kits, but the ultra model is twice as thick as the standard. Strangely, both models list for $59.95. It took us about 27 seconds to break the standard version, but more than 15 minutes to cut through the ultra model.

Notebook Guardian Ultra and Standard, $59.95. PC Guardian, (800) 288-8126, (415) 459-0190. http://www.pcguardian.com

Kensington Technology Group Sonic Lock Motion-Detecting Alarm

Kensington's Sonic Lock is meant to be attached to a laptop bag, but it has an adapter so it can be connected to a laptop as well. The device has a three-digit combination for the lock and a separate combo for the alarm. This lock failed the dunk test: We were able to silence the alarm by submerging it into a cup of water. Also, oddly, the battery cover isn't protected. Using an electric screwdriver, we were able to remove the batteries before the alarm went off, in just under 4 seconds.

Sonic Lock Motion-Detecting Alarm, $39.99. Kensington Technology Group, (888) 750-2343, (650) 572-2700. http://www.kensington.com

Kensington Technology Group Notebook ComboSaver

Kensington's product uses a three-digit combination (from 0 to 999) instead of a key. The advantage here is you don't have to worry about managing keys. The disadvantage is there's no way to override the lock if you forget the combination. It took us about 25 seconds to cut through the steel cable using a small cable cutter.

Notebook Combo Saver Security Cable, $39.99. Kensington Technology Group, (888) 750-2343, (650) 572-2700. http://www.kensington.com

Targus Defcon 1 Ultra

The Defcon 1 Ultra sports a four-digit combination lock, and its batteries are protected--you need to unlock the device to access the battery compartment. However, the Defcon 1 failed the dunk test. The cable is also very thin--one quick snip was all that was required to cut it. It took us about 3 seconds to disable this device, and a total of 20 seconds to break and remove the lock and walk away with the laptop.

Defcon 1 Ultra, $49.99. Targus, (714) 765-5555, (877) 482-7487. http://www.targus.com