{"id":18951,"date":"2025-05-28T07:37:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T05:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/what-to-do-if-your-laptop-is-lost-or-stolen-tips-for-when-the-worst-happens\/"},"modified":"2025-05-28T07:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T05:37:16","slug":"what-to-do-if-your-laptop-is-lost-or-stolen-tips-for-when-the-worst-happens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/what-to-do-if-your-laptop-is-lost-or-stolen-tips-for-when-the-worst-happens\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do if your laptop is lost or stolen \u2013 tips for when the worst happens"},"content":{"rendered":"

From remotely locking it using a locator, to backing up a replacement, steps to help you secure your data<\/p>\n

Laptops are the workhorses of the world and can contain thousands of important documents, photos and treasured memories. Losing them can mean more than just downtime from work. Here\u2019s what to do in the event the worst happens.<\/p>\n

Try to locate it using Microsoft<\/a> or Apple\u2019s Find My<\/a> device service, lock it remotely and mark it as lost to help secure your data.<\/p>\n

Remove it as a trusted device for services you use, including your Apple or Microsoft account, cloud accounts, shops or other browser-based apps.<\/p>\n

Change your passwords for key accounts, including your Apple or Microsoft account. Start with your email to prevent thieves using it to gain access to your other accounts through password resets.<\/p>\n

Report the theft to the police by calling 101 in the UK and give them a description of the laptop, make, model, colour and serial number, which may be on the box or in your Apple or Microsoft account.<\/p>\n

Contact your insurance provider if you have cover, your laptop may come under some home contents policies.<\/p>\n

Tell your bank about any credit cards you may have details of stored on your laptop.<\/p>\n

Contact the laptop\u2019s manufacturer to report the theft so it can blacklist its serial number, which may prevent it being activated and used by someone else.<\/p>\n

Set a strong password or long pin that cannot be easily guessed, set up and use any face or fingerprint scanners and make sure the screen is set to lock after a short period, usually when the screen turns off.<\/p>\n

Turn on device encryption in your privacy and security settings if not already enabled.<\/p>\n

Set up two-step verification for your Microsoft or Apple account, as well as any others you use.<\/p>\n

Turn on \u201cFind My\u201d in a Windows 10 or 11\u2019s security settings<\/a> or in iCloud settings on a Mac<\/a>, which will help you locate a lost laptop, remotely lock it and mark it as lost with a message on its screen for anyone who finds it.<\/p>\n

Back up your data regularly. On a Windows laptop you can use Windows Backup<\/a> to store files and settings on Microsoft\u2019s OneDrive cloud service (5GB free). On a Mac you can use Time Machine<\/a> to back up the laptop to an external drive or sync your apps and files with iCloud<\/a> (you can store 5GB for free). Alternatively, copy files to an external drive but be sure to encrypt it first before backing up any sensitive documents.<\/p>\n

Host important documents in the cloud. Microsoft and Apple have cloud services, but there are many others including Google Drive, Dropbox and Proton Drive.<\/p>\n

Take note of your laptop\u2019s colour, model number and serial number, and store your proof of purchase somewhere safe.<\/p>\n

Consider putting the laptop on your home contents insurance, which may need it to be added to the high-risk or high-value items list, particularly if you take it out of the home. Otherwise, there is dedicated laptop or gadget insurance, with multiple cover levels including theft.<\/p>\n

Continue reading…<\/a>
\nFrom remotely locking it using a locator, to backing up a replacement, steps to help you secure your data
\nLaptops are the workhorses of the world and can contain thousands of important documents, photos and treasured memories. Losing them can mean more than just downtime from work. Here\u2019s what to do in the event the worst happens.
\nTry to locate it using Microsoft or Apple\u2019s Find My device service, lock it remotely and mark it as lost to help secure your data.
\nRemove it as a trusted device for services you use, including your Apple or Microsoft account, cloud accounts, shops or other browser-based apps.
\nChange your passwords for key accounts, including your Apple or Microsoft account. Start with your email to prevent thieves using it to gain access to your other accounts through password resets.
\nReport the theft to the police by calling 101 in the UK and give them a description of the laptop, make, model, colour and serial number, which may be on the box or in your Apple or Microsoft account.
\nContact your insurance provider if you have cover, your laptop may come under some home contents policies.
\nTell your bank about any credit cards you may have details of stored on your laptop.
\nContact the laptop\u2019s manufacturer to report the theft so it can blacklist its serial number, which may prevent it being activated and used by someone else.
\nSet a strong password or long pin that cannot be easily guessed, set up and use any face or fingerprint scanners and make sure the screen is set to lock after a short period, usually when the screen turns off.
\nTurn on device encryption in your privacy and security settings if not already enabled.
\nSet up two-step verification for your Microsoft or Apple account, as well as any others you use.
\nTurn on \u201cFind My\u201d in a Windows 10 or 11\u2019s security settings or in iCloud settings on a Mac, which will help you locate a lost laptop, remotely lock it and mark it as lost with a message on its screen for anyone who finds it.
\nBack up your data regularly. On a Windows laptop you can use Windows Backup to store files and settings on Microsoft\u2019s OneDrive cloud service (5GB free). On a Mac you can use Time Machine to back up the laptop to an external drive or sync your apps and files with iCloud (you can store 5GB for free). Alternatively, copy files to an external drive but be sure to encrypt it first before backing up any sensitive documents.
\nHost important documents in the cloud. Microsoft and Apple have cloud services, but there are many others including Google Drive, Dropbox and Proton Drive.
\nTake note of your laptop\u2019s colour, model number and serial number, and store your proof of purchase somewhere safe.
\nConsider putting the laptop on your home contents insurance, which may need it to be added to the high-risk or high-value items list, particularly if you take it out of the home. Otherwise, there is dedicated laptop or gadget insurance, with multiple cover levels including theft. Continue reading…Technology | The Guardian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From remotely locking it using a locator, to backing up a replacement, steps to help you secure your data Laptops are the workhorses of the world and can contain thousands of important documents, photos and treasured memories. Losing them can mean more than just downtime from work. Here\u2019s what to do in the event the …<\/p>\n

What to do if your laptop is lost or stolen \u2013 tips for when the worst happens<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":18952,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18951"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18951"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18951\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/costops.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}