They perform better and are lightweight and easy to transport: laptops offer a number of advantages, even for users who already have a desktop computer. But, because of the various ways in which they are used, particularly in the office and at home, they are also more vulnerable in terms of physical and data security. To counter these problems, manufacturers are equipping new models with additional protection. Many security accessories, designed to complement these new protection measures, are also available to users. What are these tools that are intended to make laptops of the future more secure? Are they mature enough or do they present other risks, especially where confidentiality is concerned? Explanation.
Among the new models, the most prized ones (and consequently, the most expensive) are the “ultra-portables”- the extra-thin lightweight ones. But how do we ensure that their light weight does not result in increased vulnerability in of the event of shock? Many manufacturers have studied the problem and have developed innovative systems. New models today take after cars equipped with airbags: systems that detect sudden movements and stop the hard drive are planned for a number of models. Others models look to protect themselves with “shock absorbers”, such as more robust cases or foam surrounding the hard drive or memory. Manufacturers have not neglected screens either, which are the most fragile and the most difficult to repair when they break. Their protection is ensured by metal supports added to the back. Some manufacturers will guarantee protection against falls from a height of up to 70 cm, or offer a keyboard that is resistant to accidental spills. The promises are impressive, but for the moment, it’s impossible to know whether these measures will be effective. It goes without saying that users should avoid testing them on their own!
The standard TPM or “Trusted Platform Module”: behind this mysterious name hides manufacturers’ newest weapon against intrusion. It’s a chip which is installed separately from the central unit but which communicates with the motherboard. This new chip can encrypt and store passwords. The TPM permanently integrates encryption keys, as opposed to software solutions, which have to generate them. We could thus compare it to a safe for which only the PC has the key. Its protective functions shelter it from hackers. While the features of this technology provide a high level of protection, the TPM is criticized by privacy protection advocates, who fear abuse related to their use. Working independently from the operating system, the TPM can be used, for instance, to determine the origin of files downloaded to the computer.
Systems designed to make automatic backups are another tool manufacturers have developed to reinforce data protection. Accessible from the BIOS, they allow you to restore lost data even when the operating system is corrupted. Thanks to a discovery by researchers at the University of Melbourne, the phrase “technological gem” won’t just be a metaphor. They have developed an encryption system based on a diamond measuring one micron that generates a unique photon and is impossible to imitate or hack. Even if it is difficult to imagine the price of laptops equipped with such mechanisms, the system will ensure tamper-proof protection.
In addition to these innovations, there are also tools already available on certain models, such as chip card or finger print readers that make the laptop unusable hen stolen. Equipped with adapted protection software tools, such as antivirus software and fire-walls, the laptop computers of tomorrow will guarantee users a high level of protection.
