Rightmost opening on the side of this laptop computer is a Kensington Security Slot

The Kensington Security Slot has been incorporated into thousands of devices by engineering and design teams. For over 25 years designers and engineers look to incorporate the industry standard physical security features that Kensington has developed providing peace. With 99% of all business laptops incorporating our K-Slot™, it only makes sense to go with a lock that’s engineered with our T-Bar™ to guarantee the most secure fit. More organizations trust Kensington to protect their laptops because our locks are engineered to deliver both protection and ease of use. Recently bought & returned this laptop because I could not find a HP, Kensington or Targis locking cable to fit this unit. The reseller nor edit (8 different departments) could not answer exactly what HP or 3rd party cable would fit the lock slot.

A Kensington Security Slot (also called a K-Slot or Kensington lock) is part of an anti-theft system designed in the early 1990s^[1] and patented by Kryptonite in 1999–2000,^[2] assigned to Schlage in 2002, and since 2005 owned and marketed by Kensington Computer Products Group, a division of ACCO Brands.^[3]

Description[edit]

Kensington Security Slot on this portable hard disk drive is marked with a small padlock symbol

The system consists of a small, metal-reinforced hole found commonly on small or portable computers and electronics equipment such as laptops, computer monitors, desktop computers, gaming consoles, and video projectors, combined with a metal anchor attached to a rubberized metal cable secured with a key or combination lock. 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.^[2]

The hole is found in most laptops, although a lock for it is typically not included. Occasionally, the slot is located so that installing a lock will also prevent the removal of a valuable subcomponent, such as a rechargeable battery or a memory module. The Kensington slot may be marked with a small icon that looks like a padlock with a capital 'K', or the slot may be unlabelled.

Security[edit]

A security cable attached to a Kensington Security Slot on the side of a laptop

Kensington locks are not designed to be an impervious protection measure.^[3] Because most computer equipment cases are generally made of plastic or thin metal, the lock can be torn out, though not without doing significant visible damage to the case. The cable itself can be cut if an individual has a wire cutter or bolt cutter sufficiently strong to cut through the cable material, which will vary between different brands of cable. The Kensington type locks are useful to discourage quick grab-and-run thefts of equipment from casually supervised locations such as coffee shops, but cannot prevent the removal of equipment secured in an unattended location.

The key is often a cylindrical type, but there are versions which use a traditional flat key. There are also versions of the lock that use a numeric combination instead of a key.^[3]

Alternatives[edit]

Several manufacturers offer similar locking mechanisms that do not require a special lock hole.^[4] They attach to a popular port, such as the VGA or printer port, and have special screws to secure locks in place.

References[edit]

^The Computer Chronicles, The Computer Chronicles - Notebook Computers (1992), retrieved 2018-12-13
^ ^a^bSecurity anchor/tether assemblage for portable articles: U.S. Patent 6,081,9746,317,936 and 6,360,405 (Cornelius McDaid, John Ristuccia, Kryptonite Corporation - priority date: 1999-06-21)
^ ^a^b^c'Kensington SAFE Security Ratings'. Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
^'PA496U: Targus DEFCON® VPKL - Video Port Key Lock'. Archived from the original on 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2014-04-12.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kensington lock.

Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kensington_Security_Slot&oldid=929106238'

If you want to secure your device, a lock is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do so. It creates a deterrent to potential thieves and makes it so someone can't just grab the device and run. No laptop lock is impenetrable, but good ones have sturdy lock heads and thick cables that are difficult to cut through. Kensington has been in the business of locks for decades and has a variety of worthwhile options, but the Kensington Combination Cable lock leads the pack thanks to its ease of use, options when it comes to levels of security, and its affordable price.

Our pick

Kensington Combination Laptop Lock

Secure but simple

This Kensington lock works with most laptops that feature the T-Bar slot for locks. It has a tamper-resistant lock head and cut-resistant cable to increase security. It also has a one-handed design that makes it easy to lock and unlock.

Who should buy a Kensington Combination Laptop Lock

Anyone who wants to add physical security to their laptop should consider this lock. It's easy to lock and unlock if you have the combination thanks to a design that can be used with only one hand. Its lock head is sturdy and impact resistant and its included cable is cut-resistant.

Is it a good time to buy a Kensington Combination Laptop Lock?

Laptop locks are mostly simple parts like steel and cable coating so they have a long lifespan. It's not unreasonable to expect a lock to last longer than the laptop that it's protecting. While prices can always fluctuate, this combination lock is at an affordable price. Also, this lock design has been out for a few years so the price has stabilized. As a result, it's a good time to buy the lock if you're looking to add security to your device.

Kensington T Bar Lock Slot

Reasons to buy

One-hand design
Secure
Works with popular T-Bar lock slot
Has multiple options for levels of security

Reasons not to buy

Only works with laptops with T-Bar lock slot

Easy to use security

Kensington has been in the device-locking business for decades and has earned a strong reputation. They have partnerships with a number of well-known laptop manufacturers including HP and Lenovo because of their reliability. It works with the T-Bar slot that's become common among laptops from many different brands. While no lock will guarantee your device is 100 percent secure, this Kensington lock will help deter thieves.

Laptop locks are often used at terminals and permanent setups, but smaller ones such as the Kensington Combination Laptop Lock could easily be used on the go, provided that you have something to wrap the cable around. If you take your laptop to an office or public area that people walk by you might want the added peace of mind from locking your device down.

Kensington has been in the device-locking business for decades and has earned a strong reputation.

The T-Bar design that the Kensington Combination Laptop Lock uses is a common lock style among laptops. It's often on the side of the device and if you haven't used a laptop lock before, you could easily confuse it for another port or cut out. It's a nice slot to have on a device and when you're shopping for your next laptop you should be aware of if it has a Kensington Lock Slot.

The important thing when considering this lock is to ensure that it is compatible with your device. Kensington Locks work with a Kensington Lock Slot (also called a T-Bar lock slot) that is common on laptops, especially business laptops. Kensington's website states that their locks are compatible with over 90 percent of all business devices. Most device manufacturers clearly list and advertise that their device has a Kensington Lock Slot because business professionals and security-conscious users want to know that a device can be locked down. If your device doesn't have

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