Unnatural disasters

Never mind late planes and bad hotels -- the road warrior's real nightmare is an epic tech meltdown. Here's a survival guide.

Problem

Your computer goes missing

Solutions

1. LoJack for Laptops ($50 a year)

Separated from your laptop? One way to recover: Absolute Software sells $50 annual subscriptions to LoJack for Laptops, a theft protection service that locates and reclaims lost computers.

2. Backup services like Mozy, Tilana, and Xdrive (cost varies)

Smart execs never travel without a backup. Choices include Tilana Reserve, Backup Central 2.0, IDrive-E, Mozy, Xdrive, and for Apple users, .Mac.

Flash drives are another option, if you take steps to protect the data. Free software like Folder Lock, Remora USB File Guard, and TrueCrypt can encrypt USB flash drives. Newer flash drives, including BioDisk and Kanguru Bio Drive, use built-in biometric fingerprint technology to authorize users.

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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.