Security Markings

[manamaga2512]

Hi all, we are soon to be giving our post 16 students windows laptops. All obviously have asset tags on, which will probably be one of the first things that they try to remove. I'm looking for recommendations on security markings. Something visual but at the same time impossible to remove, if such a thing exists, because the very fact that it is on the laptops is a challenge to some of our students to remove it.

 

Thanks in advance.

[bald_pig]

We use selectamark here:

https://www.selectamark.co.uk/selectamark

[manamaga2512]

Sorry, forget this post. I've found similar threads which I'm going to read. I did do a search before but it returned no relevant results.

 

Thanks anyway.

[crc-ict]

We use selectamark here:

https://www.selectamark.co.uk/selectamark

 

How do you find Selectamark?

 

I have real trouble with it these days. I can never get a mark that shows up with the blue or orange gel (it seems too thin), whilst the white shows up, but is too easy to scratch off modern materials.

 

Whatever happened to the old-school stuff that you used to see on BBCs etc when I was at school which must have etched it's way down about 3mm into the cases!

[unixman_again]

I haven't marked any plastic items for ages. We have the white compound and it worked fine but as you say it might well scratch off modern plastics.

 

The aluminium compound works very well on iPads and similar tablets.

[TechMonkey]

Get an engraver. Engrave the school postcode onto the lid in nice big letters. Also mark under the battery and another part of the case. Can knock them out nice and quick, no materials to need to reorder and is almost irremovable.

 

The only other product I have used is the SMARTwater. Was good, if a bit messy. Costly and I think it has a shelf life but most Police forces are setup to use it now. The only thing you have to remember is if you spill it or get on your hands be prepared if you get asked about it. I've heard tales of it being noticed in clubs or when someone was pulled over and it taking a lot of effort to sort out. Very rare, but worth remembering.

[Chris_Cook]

We seem to struggle more and more with selectamark.

 

I think plastics are more chemical resistant these days. Cheaper plastics mark better.

 

Also, it seems to have a shelf life. Probably no good after a month.

 

The white stuff works better if you stir it. The brush provided doesn't get to all the etching chemical at the bottom, and shaking it doesn't really mix it up well.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have a steady enough hand for an engraver.

[bald_pig]

How do you find Selectamark?

 

I have real trouble with it these days. I can never get a mark that shows up with the blue or orange gel (it seems too thin), whilst the white shows up, but is too easy to scratch off modern materials.

 

Whatever happened to the old-school stuff that you used to see on BBCs etc when I was at school which must have etched it's way down about 3mm into the cases!

 

The stuff we use has been here for at least 5 years, seems fine on our laptops.

[unixman_again]

Unfortunately, I don't have a steady enough hand for an engraver.

 

That's the problem I have. The science techies have an engraver that we could use. We used to have DT as a subject and the teacher said he was going to make me a stencil that I could use to guide the engraver. Sadly, he never did.

 

One option for plastics is an electric branding iron - smelly but permanent. There are several companies that make them (no idea of cost) or here is a roll your own idea Make a Custom Bic Brander: 5 Steps (with Pictures)

[TechMonkey]

In regards to a steady hand, I wouldn't say I have the steadiest hand, and some of my previous engravings do look like a 3-year old went at them with a crayon, but they are marked and can be read. As long as you get the speed right, you get used to the best way of doing it. If you want it to look like professional calligraphy though, no, don't get an engraver

[ADMaster]

One of my suppliers has a computerized engraver / laser cutter.

For an extra fee they etch the school logo onto the laptop lid.

Or just the school name / asset ID.

 

Never taken them up on the offer myself, we still have bar code stickers.

[Mistert89]

We use a “paint” pen (Amazon). Basically a thick felt pen that writes with paint. Scruffy handwritten on the back, including batteries and removable covers. You can’t clean it off, even with those green scratty kitchen scourers!

[Sylv3r]

We used to use smartwater, but we found in recent years it became quite expensive also. I've just bought some cheap UV pens from ebay, and these appear to be just as good. Just mark up the school postcode and a UV light brings it all up - it even seems to last a few years too.

[markwilfan]

I've given up security marking in favour of security asset labels that disintegrate if you try to remove them.