Physically securing desktop lab computers

[Queen_of_Mascot]

At our school, we have one of the computer labs set up so only the front of the tower is accessible. While it isn't locked down, with the setup, it takes a good amount of time and fidgeting to take away the cables, since its put in a recessed shelf of sorts, with the monitor set up behind glass under the desk... erm...

I really need a pic to show you, but I think the system isn't custom-made, so you could order it en masse. I'll try to get back to you with a pic once the school year starts.

The lockdowns we use at our school leave the front exposed, while protecting the back too, but they're for much older computers... I'm not sure if they make lockdowns like that for newer computers. They're the white metal ones with the two locks on the front, that I'm referring to, with the odd circular keys.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Bill,
There is a very popular security rig that uses a piece of covered aircraft cable and glue-on hardware. The armored cable passes through the hardware on each piece, monitor, keyboard and CPU and then has a lock on the end. This ties everything together in one big piece and the glue requires breaking the plastice to remove it. There is also a company that manufactures some really rugged furniture called Anthro. They have a website.

[[527]phil]

you could bolt a peice of plywood to the computer, at an angle. kinda like this (excuse the crued drawing), that way you woudn't be able to get your hand in to unplug the cable.

Not verry pretty, but it should work, if you use wood screws to screw it down to the table, and bolt it to the computer case, that should deter them enough not to take it. I don't know how your cases are attached so bolting it might not be possible. but i think you get the jist of my idea.

[Eric Finn]

http://www.computersecurity.com/lock... 235f51dc89c05

And just put something over the back to prevent them from unplugging the wires.

[SamC]

I have seen something (can't find it on the internet though...) that is a metal peice that covers the back of the system and if i remember correctly locks (or bolts) at the top. Thier are vent holes and holes for wires but once wires are put through they can't be taken out without a good amount of effort.

[Alexa Stott]

You could always take some suggestions from the guys over at this site.

Namely, these guys:

Our marines had taken the order to secure things pretty seriously, because they had done it with two half inch lag bolts. They had drilled straight through the case, the mother board, the bottom of the case, and the desk it was sitting on, to drop the lag bolts in place.