Product Reviews

InnerLock™ System¹

The InnerLock™ System has the advantage of being conceived and brought to market after the other major locking systems discussed below, and thus has been designed to address the problems of these other computer security systems. The full description of the system is located elsewhere on this site, but in brief, the system uses the computer case outside panels and interior sub-chassis to form a passageway that will accept a lock. The lock is threaded through the computer, and is attached either directly to a desk or to a mounting plate attached to a desk, wall or floor. The passageway is run through an unused drive bay.

The InnerLock™ System is a very substantial security solution that protects both from theft of the entire computer, and from tampering or removal of internal components. In addition, it is extremely user-friendly for both routine use of the computer and for servicing. The lock is easily removed, and there are no plates or attachments to get in the way.

The singular challenge with the InnerLock™ System is the fact that the passageway must be incorporated into the computer case, which is a non-trivial installation. InnerLock™ installation technicians have equipment to make this process easy, but the normal user would be required to either have an installation service call or to order the computer with the passageway pre-fabricated. Most, but not all, computer designs can be adapted for use with this system.

Overall, the InnerLock™ System was brought to market to address some of the glaring problems with existing solutions, and in most respects it succeeds. The total protection is substantial, and the system is completely user-friendly. If the installation of the passageway can be coordinated, the InnerLock™ System provides a solution that is extremely elegant and effective.

Cable Locks

The cable lock system is probably the most popular and the best known method of computer hardware security. Cable locks are  most commonly used for laptops, but are also marketed as a desktop computer locking method. In this system, locking hasps are glued to the computer and hardware, and a thin, flexible cable is threaded through the hasps and looped around a stationary object, such as a desk leg. 

Cable lock systems are easy to install, easy to use, and can be applied to peripheral equipment such as monitors and printers. Unfortunately, they are rather lightweight security, and really not suitable for long-term protection. Additionally, the protection addresses total removal of the equipment, however, it does not protect from hardware disassembly and removal of components. The hard drive is particularly vulnerable to theft and tampering.

Overall, this is a poor solution for most desktop computer security needs.

An officer shows the severed cable from a computer stolen from a campus bookstore

Lock Down Plates & Pads

The lock down security method is probably the second-most common system for retail users. In most applications, the system involves a two-piece, interlocking plate product, in which one plate is secured to the desktop computer, and the other plate is secured to a stationary object, such as the floor or a desk wall. The two plates mesh together, and can be locked together.

Lock down security products have a mixture of effective and ineffective attributes. The mounting and securing of the plates is a relatively straightforward process, using either high-strength glue strips or mounting bolts. Contrary to common perception, the glue strips are extremely heavy duty (typically industrial products from 3M), and pose a formidable mounting option. The glue mounting requires a relatively flat surface, while the bolt mounting requires some non-trivial drilling. 

The lock down pad products are effective at securing the computer enclosure to the floor or wall, and maintain normal usability for the computer user. The front panel of the computer is readily accessible, and except for a bit of awkwardness in unlatching the plate, the computer remains in an essentially serviceable state.

The major flaw with this system is the fact that it only secures the computer case, and in most cases will not prevent the removal of internal components. Since most computers have easy-access side panels for servicing, this type of security system leaves the hard drives easily accessible, as well as leaving the internal components such as RAM, processor, boards and drives vulnerable as well.

Overall, this product requires more substantial mounting efforts and only partial protection, and is therefore a questionable solution for most security needs. When combined with case lock devices, the protection is more complete, albeit more cumbersome.

Lock Down Enclosures & Entrapments

A variety of lock down enclosures and entrapments are offered, all of which offer extremely strong protection. This computer locking method involves a sheet metal case in which the computer is placed, with locking bars on either side of the case to prevent unauthorized removal of the computer. The back of the case is mostly open to allow cable access, and the front of the case is mostly open to allow for routine user operation. The entire case is mounted to the floor or a wall using permanent mounting, such as 3M glue strips or mounting bolts.

The protection offered by this type of system is formidable, protecting against both theft of the entire unit as well as access into the unit for hard drive theft or other tampering. The mounting process is non-trivial, but comparable to the pad lock systems.

The major challenge with enclosure systems is the difficulties of working with them. Routine maintenance and upgrading of the unit is a rather cumbersome affair, and can be exasperating to try to maneuver the computer as needed. Access to wires can be difficult given the immovable nature of the mount, and the opening of the case requires complete removal of the computer from the entrapment case. In addition, this is one of the most expensive security solutions on the market, with a typical price of about $150 uninstalled. Other complaints with the system center around the potential restriction of cooling ventilation, which are mostly unwarranted concerns.

Overall, this is a solid bit of security offering substantial protection, but it comes with a significant amount of user inconveniences, including being rather expensive.

Computer Clamps

The Compu-clamp security system is an attempt to keep the positive attributes of the locking pad systems (see above), but without the necessity of making a permanent mount with glue strips or bolts.

The computer must be clamped to a desk wall that has a limited range of specific dimensions in both depth, width, and distance from the back wall. These restrictions make the computer clamp product only applicable for a small subset of applications. As with the locking pads, the device is user-friendly, but only provides partial protection. The mounting process is simpler and non-permanent, but is very limited in its application. 

Overall, if you have the desk wall that will work with it, the product has some nice attributes. However, it generally does not protect from accessing inside the computer and removing or tampering with hard drives and internal components. As with locking pads, the protection is more comprehensive when combined with keyed case lock products.

Keyed Case Locks

Case locks come in a variety designs, but the concept is the same. The case locks use the computers enclosure as a security enclosure by restricting the removal of the access panels. The restriction is by mechanical means, and is keyed.

By design, this type of computer security is limited to tamper deterrence, and does nothing to prevent theft or removal of the entire unit. Given that, the quality and durability of the case locks vary greatly, as do the quality and durability of the cases themselves.

Overall, when used alone, case locks only provide nominal deterrence. They are best used in conjunction with other systems, such as the pad or clamp products.

Desk Cabinets

A number of computer desks have been designed with a locking cabinet in which the desktop computer is to be placed. The computer is positioned in the cabinet, and the cabinet can be shut and locked both when the computer is in use and when it is idle.

From a protection standpoint, this design has a number of positive qualities. The security of the cabinet is dependent upon the construction quality of the desk, which in most cases is rather weak particle board, and the quality of the lock, which in most cases is also rather weak. However, if the desk and lock are of durable construction, the security offered is also durable and substantial.

The desk cabinet solution has two major drawbacks. User convenience is severely inhibited for both maintenance and normal user access. The removal or insertion of cables and cords is very hassled, and the opening of the case for normal servicing requires complete removal of the computer from the desk (after unplugging the cables), and usually some degree of off-balance lifting of the computer. The second major drawback is the very real problem of ventilation restriction. Modern processors run very hot, and require good circulation to keep running properly, and an enclosed cabinet provides a very poor environment for a computer.

Overall, the desk cabinet seems like a good idea, but has some major drawbacks, including poor usability and poor ventilation, and in most cases, the quality of the desks that incorporate this design are poorly constructed and offer only moderate protection.

¹While every attempt has been made to be objective in this comparison, it will be obvious to the reader that the bias is inevitable. Those who wish to add to this review, or comment on it, are invited to contact us at info@computer-security-lock-product-device.com.