Securing a desktop PC

[lugnut]

I can find plenty of security cables and locks for laptops, but not much for locking down a desktop mid-tower case.

Can you guys suggest some products (or describe a DIY method) of securing a desktop? I don't expect it to prevent a determined thief with tools, just something that will cause the thief who hears the alarm going off in the background to see it would take too long to get it freed up, and move on to something else.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

If you have a security system with a wireless receiver, you could have a wireless door contact that goes with your computer tower. What you can do is attach a transmitter to the surface of the furniture and attach a magnet to the computer tower. When the tower gets tampered, the security system will cause an alarm.

Just don't move the computer tower too much. If you need to make modifications to your computer components, you will have to disarm your security system, bypass the zone, and then arm it back. You might want to put the wireless zone in a different partition, if your security system has more than one partition.

 

[lugnut]

Thanks, but I guess I didn't describe what I'm looking for very well.

I'm after hard security rather than notification. Physical restraints of some kind.

Notification of a break in is covered via other means.

 

[SnyperBob]

I can't remember where I saw it, but I saw something similar that's used for laptops, but for desktops.

Basically it was pad that you screw down into the back/side/where-ever of your desk and it has a loop. You then run a security cable through that loop and then thru your desktop.

Go on Ebay and type in 'Desktop lock' and you'll see what I mean. There's auctions for black pads that you just glue to your desktop to add a 'loop' to run the cable thru it. You may want something more permanent than a glued on pad tho.

I've also see USB port locks. It's a little insert that goes inside the USB ports of the desktop so jump drives can't be inserted into them. You have to have the special tool to remove the inserts. In case you didn't know, almost all newer computers can boot directly off the USB port unless disabled in Bios and bios is pass protected so it can't be changed. Someone boots another OS via jump drive, and voila....they have complete access to all of the files on the internal desktop HDD. They can then copy files to the USB drive. This is also possible via CD rom image, but it's a little harder to copy files (unless you have a CD and USB jump drive) yikes...

There's also cord/cable lock systems that I've seen. All of the cables in the back of the desktop lock into it. Makes it so someone can't steal a keyboard/mouse, etc...

Now if this is for your personal house PC, you may just want to bolt the case to something. Either the desk or right to the floor depending on how secure you want to be.

 

[nsisman]

You could just bolt or screw the pc case through the bottom to the desk.

Also you could sticky tape a motion sensor to the back of the case facing the wall to set off your siren or whatever if someone got in behind the machine.

 

[judge_l]

I think that with a welder and a couple of pieces of steel, you could make a very intimidating looking cage for the tower. Wouldn't do much for the keyboard or anything though.

 

[huggy59]

Take a look at the corners of the case of the PC. Find one that is relatively clear of anything important. Grab a drill with a 1/4" steel bit in it and drill a hole kitty-corner across the corner and through two sides o f the case. Then get a laptop tie-down cable kit and put it through and secure it to the desk. You may need to drill a hole in the desk, too. Simple, quick, effective. Put it in plain site if you can - even better.