IP: Warning about using laptops in Europe

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

> This is for you Road Warriors!!
>
> Bruce Galler
>
>
>
>
> "Laptop computers have become a premium target for theft throughout
> Europe.  Every international traveler who is anticipating on carrying a
> laptop computer with them must remain on constant alert as they traverse
> through all airports.
>
> Two methods of theft have already occurred at separate airports and  the
> techniques that were used to steal the laptop computers can occur at any
> airport.  Both methods involved two thieves to carry out the theft.
>
> Recently, Brussels Airport security advised that one method involved  the
> use of security x-ray machines.  The first thief would precede the
> traveler through the security check point and then loiter around the area
> where the carry-on luggage had already been examined.  When the traveler
> places his laptop computer onto the conveyer belt of the x-ray machine,
> the  second thief would step in front of the traveler and set off the
> metal  detector.  While the traveler was being delayed, the first thief
> would  remove the traveler's laptop computer from the conveyer belt just
> after  it  had gone through the x-ray machine and quickly disappear.
>
> The most recent method of theft just occurred at the Frankfurt
> International Airport, Germany, while the traveler was walking around a
> crowd of people in the airport terminal.  The traveler, who was carrying
> his  laptop computer on his rollbag, was preceded by the first thief.
> Just as  the traveler got around the crowd of people, the first thief
> stopped  abruptly, causing the traveler to stop abruptly.  When they
> stopped  momentarily, a second thief, who had been following just behind
> them,  quickly removed the traveler's laptop computer from his rollbag
> and  disappeared in the crowd."
>
> --
>                                                 Bruce I. Galler
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>                                                 bruce () dr att com
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