A Kensington Security Slot (also called a K-Slot or Kensington lock) is part of an anti-theft system

Anti-theft system

An anti-theft system is any device or method used to prevent or deter the unauthorized appropriation of items considered valuable. Theft is one of the most common and oldest criminal behaviours...

 designed by Kensington Computer Products Group,Ltd.. It is a small, metal-reinforced, oval hole found on almost all small or portable computers and electronics equipment, particularly on expensive ones, such as laptop

Laptop

A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...

s, computer monitors, desktop computer

Desktop computer

A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...

s, gaming consoles, and video projectors. It is used for attaching a lock-and-cable apparatus, in particular those from Kensington.

Locks are generally secured in place with a key

Key (lock)

A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...

 or combination lock

Combination lock

A combination lock is a type of lock in which a sequence of numbers or symbols is used to open the lock. The sequence may be entered using a single rotating dial which interacts with several discs or cams, by using a set of several rotating discs with inscribed numerals which directly interact with...

 attached to a rubberized metal cable. The end of the cable has a small loop that allows the cable to be looped around a permanent object, such as a heavy table or other similar equipment, thus securing it in place.

Uses

Kensington locks can be used in a variety of settings, generally as a deterrent to prevent opportunist theft. Individuals might use them in public places such as busy offices, coffee shops, hotel meeting rooms, and libraries. Companies may use them to secure expensive equipment that must be left in public places, such as computer displays in a retail store, or video projectors used in a hotel conference room.

Amount of security

Kensington locks are not designed to be an impervious protection measure. Because most computer equipment cases are generally made of plastic or thin metal, the lock can be torn out, heavily damaging the case—though the proper design of a K-slot is that the lock tangs go into the metal frame of the unit. However, potential thieves trying to resell such stolen equipment would presumably be reluctant to do so as the broken Kensington lock hole implies that the equipment was taken by force.

There are versions of the lock that use a numeric combination (like a padlock) instead of a key, and there are versions that use a traditional flat key, which is understood to be more difficult to pick.

The cable itself can be cut if a thief has a wire cutter sufficiently strong to cut through the cable material, which varies depending on the security rating of the cable. Some cables may not be readily cut with one-hand clippers, meaning that a thief would presumably look conspicuous employing two-handed cutting devices.

Alternatives

Several manufacturers offer similar locking mechanisms that do not require a special lock hole. They attach to a popular port, such as the VGA or printer port and have special screws to secure locks in place. Others are completely electronic, and emit an alarm if they are removed from the slot. These mechanisms are more universal, but occupy one port, so they are most likely to be used when Kensington security slots are not available.

See also

• Computer security
  Computer security
  Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
  
  
• Laptop theft
  Laptop theft
  Laptop theft is a significant threat to users of laptop computers. Many methods to protect the data and to prevent theft have been developed, including alarms, laptop locks, and visual deterrents such as stickers or labels. Victims of laptop theft can lose hardware, software, and essential data...
  
  
• Physical security
  Physical security
  Physical security describes measures that are designed to deny access to unauthorized personnel from physically accessing a building, facility, resource, or stored information; and guidance on how to design structures to resist potentially hostile acts...
  
  
• Twistlock
  Twistlock
  A twistlock and corner casting together form a standardised rotating connector for securing shipping containers. The primary uses are for locking a container into place on container ship, semi-trailer truck or railway container train; and for lifting of the containers by container cranes and...
  
  

External links

• Hardware Specifications from Kensington Technology Group