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A Kensington Security Slot (also called a K-Slot or Kensington lock) is part of an
The system consists of a small, metal-reinforced hole found commonly on small or portable computers and electronics equipment such as
While Kensington locks can discourage quick grab-and-run, opportunistic thefts of equipment from public locations such as coffee shops or libraries, they are not designed to be impervious protection measures or intended to secure equipment in unattended locations, as they can be torn out of equipment, the cases of which are typically plastic or thin metal (albeit not without visibly damaging the equipment), and the cable can be cut with
A Kensington Security Slot (also called a K-Slot or Kensington lock) is part of an anti-theft system
Anti-theft systems protect valuables such as vehicles and personal property like wallets, phones, and jewelry. They are also used in retail settings to protect merchandise in the form of security tags and labels. Anti-theft systems include devices ...
designed in the mid 1980s and patented by Kryptonite
Kryptonite is a fictional material that appears primarily in Superman stories published by DC Comics. In its best-known form, it is a green, crystalline material originating from Superman's home world of Krypton that emits a unique, poisonous r ...
in 1999–2000,''Security anchor/tether assemblage for portable articles'': and (Cornelius McDaid, John Ristuccia, Kryptonite Corporation
Kryptonite is an Allegion-owned brand of bicycle lock for securing a bicycle to a pole or other fixture, when the owner wants to leave the bicycle in a public place. The basic design, made of hardened steel of circular cross section bent into ...
- priority date: 1999-06-21) assigned to Schlage
Schlage (pronounced ) is an American lock manufacturer founded in 1920 by Walter Schlage. Schlage was headquartered in San Francisco from its inception until it relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1997. Schlage also produces high-securi ...
in 2002, and since 2005 owned and marketed by Kensington Computer Products Group, a division of ACCO Brands
ACCO Brands Corporation is an American multinational company and is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers, and marketers of premium business, technology, academic, and consumer products. It was created by the merger of ACCO World ...
.
Description
The system consists of a small, metal-reinforced hole found commonly on small or portable computers and electronics equipment such as laptop
A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a clam shell form factor with the screen mounted on the inside of the upper li ...
s, computer monitor
A computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or textual form. A discrete monitor comprises a visual display, support electronics, power supply, housing, electrical connectors, and external user controls.
The di ...
s, desktop computer
A desktop computer (often abbreviated desktop) is a personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or near a desk due to its size and power requirements. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply ...
s, gaming console
A video game console is an electronic device that outputs a video signal or image to display a video game that can be played with a game controller. These may be home consoles, which are generally placed in a permanent location connected to a t ...
s, and video projector
A video projector is an image projector that receives a video signalling (telecommunication), signal and projects the corresponding image on a projection screen using a lens (optics), lens system. Video projectors use a very bright ultra-high-per ...
s, combined with a metal anchor attached to a rubberized metal cable secured with a key
Key or The Key may refer to:
Common meanings
* Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm
* Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock
* Key (map ...
or combination lock
A combination lock is a type of locking device in which a sequence of symbols, usually numbers, 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 o ...
. 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.
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
While Kensington locks can discourage quick grab-and-run, opportunistic thefts of equipment from public locations such as coffee shops or libraries, they are not designed to be impervious protection measures or intended to secure equipment in unattended locations, as they can be torn out of equipment, the cases of which are typically plastic or thin metal (albeit not without visibly damaging the equipment), and the cable can be cut with wire
Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample diameter 40 mm
A wire is a flexible strand of metal.
Wire is c ...
or bolt cutter
A bolt cutter, sometimes called bolt cropper, is a tool used for cutting bolts, chains, padlocks, rebar and wire mesh. It typically has long handles and short blades, with compound hinges to maximize leverage and cutting force. A typical bolt ...
s. More simply, the non-locking, loop end of the cable is dependent upon the availability of a suitable anchoring point on a virtually immovable base object, or a thief may just shift that object, and then take the protected device with cable attached.
The lock mechanism is typically a tubular pin tumbler lock
A tubular pin tumbler lock, also known as a circle pin tumbler lock, radial lock, or the trademark Ace lock popularized by manufacturer Chicago Lock Company since 1933, is a variety of pin tumbler lock in which a number of pins are arranged in a ci ...
or, less frequently, a flat key lock or numeric combination lock with no key.
Alternatives
Several manufacturers offer similar locking mechanisms that do not require a special lock hole. They attach to a popular port, such as theVGA
Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a video display controller and accompanying de facto graphics standard, first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, which became ubiquitous in the PC industry within three years. The term can no ...
or printer port
In computing, a parallel port is a type of interface found on early computers (personal and otherwise) for connecting peripherals. The name refers to the way the data is sent; parallel ports send multiple bits of data at once ( paralle ...
, and have special screws to secure locks in place.
References
External links
* {{Locksmithing Locks (security device) ACCO Brands