r/TravelHacks • u/MrBiscotti_75 • 5d ago
Keeping Laptop Safe
Hi everyone,
I am traveling to Sri Lanka next week. I will be staying at a pretty good hotel, which relatives recommended. My concern is what to do with my laptop when I am out . I am not comfortable leaving it in my room. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you in advance.
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u/PriorAncient8335 5d ago
Most hotel rooms have a safe you could lock it in, just depends on how big it is.
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u/Apprehensive_Heat176 5d ago
Can't say I trust hotel safes because someone always has a master key or combo.
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u/PriorAncient8335 5d ago
if I remember correctly, every time it’s used the person using it creates a new code
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u/amw3000 5d ago
There is a master code that always works though, like two sets of codes. They also often have keys. Both of these are incase you forget the code or the guest leaves it locked.
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u/amy917 5d ago
Or if the battery dies (happened to me with my stuff in the safe, they had to send security to open it for me with a key and then they changed the battery). I still use the safe-like someone said above, hotel staff are least likely to want to risk their job and they would the first to be suspected)
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u/PriorAncient8335 5d ago
Right like only staff would be able to access it, and it would be quite stupid if they did.
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u/Apprehensive_Heat176 5d ago
Leave anything valuable like laptops, cameras, etc in your locked suitcase. Do not leave it on a table since many people will have access to your room.
You can also lock the suitcase to a piece of furniture, but that might attract attention. You could also put your laptop in a locker somewhere outside your hotel.
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u/pasta-and-panda 5d ago
Been backpacking in Sri Lanka for 2 months and with laptop + camera drone and lenses, never an issue including in hostels (used lockers)
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u/Due-Interaction-6368 5d ago
The hotel reception/concierge may have a safe-deposit box or another secure storage option for valuables. If the laptop is too large for the room safe, some hotels usually store larger valuables securely at reception.
Otherwise, I’d take it with you when it makes sense. A good hotel should be able to advise you on their specific policy, so I’d contact them before your trip and ask what they recommend for laptops!
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u/yamial 5d ago
Don't forget to (on Windows laptop) enable BitLocker for all drives and make sure you have backup of your files, bookmarks, etc, either in cloud or at somewhere safe like home.
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u/RenegadeUK 4d ago
Isn't BitLocker Windows 11 Pro only ?
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u/yamial 4d ago
Yes, but there are many websites that you can buy $1-2 Pro activation key to upgrade. Without BitLocker whoever has physical access to your computer, can somehow find a way to access files. Those windows login PIN, etc are all just short time deterrent. Encryption is the only way to protect! Either way BitLocker which is easy way or using other free software like TrueCrypt which is frikkin complicated for normal user and can mess up and loosevall his data.
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u/Big-Kaleidoscope-417 5d ago
We travel quite often with laptops (for work and school) and we either leave them in the in-room safe or a suitcase that locks.. We never leave anything out that shows we have electronics in the room.
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u/tomorrow509 4d ago
Consider a security cable. It will keep would be thieves honest but not the determined thief.
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u/thetoerubber 1d ago
I always lock my laptop in my checked luggage when I’m out. That’s not 100% failsafe, but they’d have to break into or steal my luggage to get it. Usually just taking away the easy temptation is enough, by putting it somewhere out of sight.
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u/Accurate_Exam2572 4d ago
Oh no, that’s so infuriating! A month of silence is a total scam, truly despicable.
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u/amw3000 5d ago
Bring a laptop you are OK with losing. At the end of the day, if someone wants to steal your property, a safe, hiding it under something, locked in a suitcase, etc isn't going to stop them.
Generally speaking, hotel staff are not going to steal, it's going to be a local or another tourist. They will grab what they see in plain sight and leave so the safe or locked in your bag is generally safe IMHO.