Some great points and suggestions in this thread.
I currently live full-time in my
Scamp, and have done extended trips alone, mostly car camping. My own feeling on security is ambivalent.
On the one hand, far too many women, especially, are cowed by nightmares into locking themselves away from the road, the glories of which are theirs by divine right. Or, by degrees, they believe in the "safety in numbers" myth. Maybe it's just because I'm a mountain girl, but "civilized" places strike me as far more dangerous than the open country, where one can hide away from sight and maneauver more freely. I trust a bear over a man any day, so give me National Forest and BLM administered land. Women ought to dare with more grit, especially in the back country.
On the other hand, there are people who are intent in getting in your business for ill ends. I'll add a chit to the "situational awareness" pile as the center of any security. Being proactive in selecting camps and parking has saved alot of trouble. The one time I didn't heed my gut earned me a broken window and stolen CD player; I now always heed my gut.
Some random observations:
When parked for one night on the side of the road, sleep in the car cab, with keys in the ignition, so that you can get up and go in a shot if need be. It's best to have an open
escape route in front of the car.
I used to sometimes sleep with a drawn longknife and a loaded crossbow at the ready. But weapons may be false security. 90% of security is preparation. Anywhere I camp on the fly is far from prying eyes, behind some trees, off an old dirt road.
The "po' folks" camoflage is very handy. Fru-fru status toys don't help one outside of the RV resorts.
Be more than stand-offish with men. When anyone but a ranger comes across my camp, the story is that my ficticious husband "Butch" or "Duke" or "Bubba" just went out to kill a buck or something, and I have to go pick him up soon. Then I'm gone within half an hour.
Cell phones and CB's are your friends.
Food and water are part of safety; always carry enough for a few extra weeks if you need to haul out on foot.