Are you in a public place using your laptop? Worried about confidential information reaching the wrong eyes? Do you work in a highly regulated industry that values privacy?
You might need a computer privacy screen privacy filter. These are standard pieces of equipment that fit almost any desktop monitor or laptop screen.
Choosing the right privacy filter for a laptop
A privacy filter for your laptop must fit properly over your screen. That means knowing the size of your laptop screen before buying one. Look at the specs of your laptop. Common sizes 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 inches. These laptops are 13.3 or 13.5 inches for screens. Make sure you order the right size.
Lenovo Privacy Filters for Laptops by 3M
Lenovo has partnered with 3M to produce high-quality privacy filters for laptops. They are black and filter the light from monitors as you would expect with a viewing angle of 60 degrees. The goal is to attach to the screen housing while sitting in front of the screen to filter the light properly.
COMPLY Attachment for Laptop Privacy Screens
You can buy privacy filter for a laptop that has COMPLY attachments with it. These are attachments with strong magnets (do not worry, they do not damage your computer) that click the privacy screen securely in place. With just a quick click, you can go to sharing mode thanks to the sturdy hinges on one side of the laptop privacy screen. Simply click on the side that unattaches from the screen, swing the laptop privacy screen over to one side, and then allow other people to see your screen at the same time. When you’re done, swing the screen back into place with another click to continue to assure customer privacy.
Selecting the correct privacy filter for a monitor
As you might imagine, privacy filters for monitors are bigger than ones for laptops because those types of computer screens are bigger. Check your monitor specs to make sure you buy the right privacy filter for a monitor by knowing the proper size.
Rather than attaching to the outside edges of the monitor like you see with laptop privacy filters, these 3M screens match up with the inside bevel (the slightly angled edge) around the border of your desktop monitor.
Look for sizes that fit screens of 23 inches or more when investing in privacy filters for monitors.
Have a tablet computer? We make privacy filters for them, too.
You must pick out a privacy filter specifically for a tablet computer because these are specifically designed with touch sensitivity as well as the ability to block the view of prying eyes. Again, measure your tablet computer’s screen size or look at the technical specs to see which one is right for your device. Privacy filters for tablets take advantage of small, strong magnets to have a hinged effect when you need to share the screen with someone else.
Who uses computer privacy screens?
Companies and home offices both use computer privacy screens in the course of daily work.
Privacy filters for business
Businesses will use computer privacy screens to keep customer privacy, particularly in highly regulated industries like finance, health, and law.
Use cases for privacy filters include:
1) Busy hospitals, dentist’s offices, or doctor’s offices that get daily traffic. HIPAA laws mandate that patient confidentiality be protected at all times. Privacy filters are one way to do that. For example, a medical assistant at a doctor’s office leaves their workstation to take care of something that suddenly came up. Meanwhile, another patient comes up to the desk and leans on it. These pc displays still displays private patient information, and the person looking on cannot see it because of the privacy filter.
2) Coworking spaces for lawyers. Various laws protect attorney-client privilege in the United States. As such, client information cannot be shared with people who do not have the right to that data. Attorneys in small, one-man firms may use shared coworking spaces to have quiet places to conduct daily tasks. Attorneys might use privacy screens for a laptop so as to not reveal details of clients to the other lawyers in the room.
3) Banks and other high-traffic financial institutions. Federal law protects people’s financial information from intrusions. As such, computer display at banks and credit unions might employ privacy filters to keep a customer’s name, address, and account numbers away from prying eyes.
4) Government offices. Governments also must keep constituent privacy in the United States. Public spaces and government offices with a high volume of in-person traffic need computer privacy screens to keep certain information private. For example, a public library has a computer lab with desktop computers stationed close to each other. Privacy filters can prevent patrons from look at each other’s personal information if they need to take care of certain tasks like checking personal emails. Privacy screens also work well in offices where government agencies conduct in-person interviews, like for Social Security or food benefits.
Privacy filters for home use
Believe it or not, home offices might need privacy screens for desktop monitors because of young children. If a child comes into the home office and sees something on the screen, the youngster might become curious and start asking questions. That might interrupt a meeting or someone’s concentration on a vital project, causing lost time.
A home office also comes under HIPAA and other privacy laws. If someone is working from a home office and another person sees what is on the screen, that might be an invasion of privacy (technically).
FAQs for computer screen privacy filters
Read our answers to some often asked questions about computer screen privacy filters for your home or office equipment.
What is a computer screen privacy filter?
A screen privacy filter fits over your computer’s visual interface to prevent someone from glancing at your screen from an angle.
What does a computer privacy screen do?
Privacy filters for computer screens keep what’s on the screen pointed directly ahead, preventing people off to the side from seeing what you’re seeing as they walk by.
Why do I need a computer privacy screen?
Computer privacy screens prevent people from seeing your computer screen at an angle. When looking straight on, the images are very clear and as normal. Anyone from the side sees a blacked-out screen as if the monitor is not there at all.
How do computer computer screen privacy filters work?
A screen privacy filter, which is a thin piece of plastic, attaches to the sides of your laptop screen or desktop monitor. The plastic sits directly in front of your monitor. The plastic’s inherent properties align in such a way that it prevents the light from escaping off to the sides while allowing you to have a clear view looking at the screen straight on.
Microreplication technology alters the plastic at a microscopic level so that the particles in the plastic filter light correctly to give you a crystal-clear view when looking straight on, but anyone outside of a 60-degree range cannot. We’ve designed these privacy filters for monitor with high-resolution and today’s technological standards. Most privacy screens are so sleek, people don’t even realize they are there.
What colors are privacy filters for computer screens?
Black is the standard color for privacy filters for laptop or computer screen. These models are golden for a more eye-appealing effect. Either color does not diminish from the effectiveness of the privacy filter nor prevent it from performing its basic function.
Lenovo’s gold privacy filters offer higher levels of privacy and protection compared to other models.
Can computer privacy filters double as screen protectors?
Yes, they can. Privacy screen protectors can help prevent dust, scratches, splatters, nicks, and dings on your computer screen. Look for privacy screen protectors made of durable yet thin and slightly flexible material when buying a privacy filter. They can absolutely protect your computer screen from damage as well as possibly protect your eyesight.
Can a privacy filter for my computer screen block blue light?
Yes, models of privacy screen protectors can block blue light from the computer screen. Blue light can affect your eyesight over time, which is why filtering blue light is important in a setting where you use a computer or mobile device often.
How do I clean my computer privacy screen?
Clean your computer privacy screen with a cloth that comes with the privacy filter. Simply remove the privacy filter attached to the screen, wipe it off with the cloth, and reattach it. No need to use water on it. Just wipe it gently to remove any dust or dirt.
How computer privacy screens do I need?
You need enough computer privacy screens as you need to prevent unauthorized people from seeing private information. Look for computers that are within public view, even from the side and even if they are behind a counter.
Privacy filters serve dual purposes
Computer privacy screens serve two main purposes: preventing prying eyes from seeing personal information and protecting computer display from collecting dust and dirt. Affordable computer privacy filters come in all sizes, for laptops, desktops, and even tablet computers. Make sure you measure the screens properly before you buy a privacy filter so it fits properly. They go on easily, come off readily, and you can clean them simply.
If you have questions, we’ve got answers. Feel free to reach out to the team at Lenovo and we’ll be happy to answer any inquiries you have. We can recommend you as to the right computer privacy filter to meet your needs.
