A Kensington Security Slot (also called a K-Slot or Kensington lock) is part of an anti-theft system designed in the mid 1980s[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]
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
Kensington lock attached to a Kensington Security Slot on a PowerBook G4
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,[3] 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 or bolt cutters. 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 or, less frequently, a flat key lock or numeric combination lock with no key.[3]
Alternatives
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
^The Computer Chronicles, The Computer Chronicles - Notebook Computers (1992), archived from the original on 2021-12-22, retrieved 2018-12-13
^ abSecurity 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)
^ abc. Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kensington lock.
Official website
March 05, 2023
kensington, security, slot, also, called, slot, kensington, lock, part, anti, theft, system, designed, 1980s, patented, kryptonite, 1999, 2000, assigned, schlage, 2002, since, 2005, owned, marketed, kensington, computer, products, group, division, acco, brands. A Kensington Security Slot also called a K Slot or Kensington lock is part of an anti theft system designed in the mid 1980s 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 Kensington Security lock unlocked locked The Kensington Security Slot is the rightmost opening on the side of this Acer Swift 3 laptop computer Contents 1 Description 2 Security 3 Alternatives 4 References 5 External linksDescription Edit Kensington Laptop Lock 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 Kensington lock attached to a Kensington Security Slot on a PowerBook G4 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 3 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 or bolt cutters 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 or less frequently a flat key lock or numeric combination lock with no key 3 Alternatives EditSeveral 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 archived from the original on 2021 12 22 retrieved 2018 12 13 a b Security anchor tether assemblage for portable articles U S Patent 6 081 974 6 317 936 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 Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kensington Security Slot amp oldid 1122771945, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
