It's a busy Monday morning and your office is bustling with activity as employees and clients move about and couriers stream in and out of the entrance. Everyone is working hard, paying attention to their own agenda; it's hardly surprising that no one can seem to recall the well-dressed woman who walked in, then strolled out fifteen minutes later with one of the company's laptop computers. With her self-confident demeanor and professional attire, she looked like anything but a criminal.

Although you may think that this could never take place at your office, it happens more often than you may realize. The FBI estimates that computer component theft is responsible for over $8 billion a year in losses to corporate America. Moreover, this number fails to take into account the invaluable loss of data and information that is stored on these computers. While replacing a fax machine may be a costly nuisance, it's nothing when compared to the tremendous amount of time and effort involved in redoing computer work.

One way to deter laptop theft is by using a lock devised especially for laptop computers. To use a laptop anti-theft kit, you first connect a clip into the built-in security slot of your laptop, and then attach a cable plus a key or combination lock. This cable can then be wound around a permanently fixed object such as a desk, pipe, or table leg. Cables range anywhere from five to ten feet in length and are typically made out of sturdy aircraft cable.

If your laptop does not come equipped with a built-in security slot, don't worry. You'll just need to find a kit that includes a double-adhesive anchoring pad that can be glued onto your laptop. A less-preferable design affixes to your floppy disk drive, but is likely to ruin your drive if a person tries to grab or yank the notebook away.

Notebook security alarms are a second way to minimize the chances of notebook theft. These devices use motion sensors to sense when the notebook is moved. Some work in conjunction with a cable that secures your computer to an object, while other alarm kits fit into your case and are designed to be activated only when your computer is not in use.

While notebook security alarms certainly work well in situations where the notebook remains in one place, they are not always an ideal solution. For example, travelers in an airport are likely to be moving around too much to use an alarm system. Alarm systems also require a steady supply of batteries, as they will need to be replaced anywhere from every six to nine weeks.

So how much do laptop lock kits and alarm devices cost? You can expect to pay anywhere from $35-$70 for a cable and lock kit. Laptop security alarms will you run you between $50-$80. Places to look for these devices are computer shops and large office supply stores such as Comp USA and Office Depot.

As long as you are vigilant about using these anti-theft devices, would-be thieves are going to have to find a new target for a quick hit.