Missing RAM! (Student theft) - Locks for PCs

[googlemad]

In one of our classrooms, a student has broken in to a PC and legged it with a 2GB RAM stick!!!

 

This would be one of our 'PC Maintenance / Workshop' type classrooms for Cisco courses etc.

 

Anyway I was thinking if we bought a few of those mini padlocks and used the security hole on the PC (As you may use on your suitcase) it would help stop this happening again?

 

Anyone done this?

[Fuzzz]

We use padlocks, as you suggested. We never had theft of components, so it seems to work!

[pete]

We use steel cable ties. They're sufficiently tricky to remove without shears that most won't attempt it and you don't have to wade through lots of little keys (I'm assuming "classrooms" implies 30+).

 

Also, it's absurdly easy to pick or force most mini padlocks of suitcase quality.

 

Just check they couldn't also get the ram by bashing in the front of the case.

[tech_guy]

We always use padlocks and sometimes security cables as well depending on the type of PC and the location. Don't go for the cheap and nasty little padlocks - you can easily break them open with the two-crossed screwdrivers trick. Get some decent ones from your local ironmonger's - the biggest ones that will fit the hole as well (ohhh 'er, missus!).

[FN-GM]

I priced up some kensington memory savers. It was cheaper to replace any stolen memory than buy them

[6Foot2]

We use padlocks, but only in the rooms that seems to be prone to the problem. We had our friendly local locksmith supply all of the padlocks suited to the same key: Padlock make: ABUS.

 

http://www.tooled-up.com/ProdImage/TB31705.jpg

[Andrew_C]

The ABUS locks are available in a range of sizes from CPC, the 30mm ones are ideal for PC cases. They also sell them "keyed alike" so you only need one key.

[tech_guy]

Yes, we use the ABUS padlocks - quite strong.

[PeteHopton]

A low cost option, replace the phillips screws with special security screws?