I got a 2012 Giant Escape 2, I've been concerned about theft as well, though I do lock it up with a U-bolt, and throw on the cable through the wheels if I'll be gone more than a handful of minutes.

I've been thinking about taking a rattlecan to it and giving it the most hideous and low-quality paint job imaginable. I figure if it looks ugly and sloppy instead of new and beautiful at a glance, people will be less likely to come over for a closer look and start getting ideas. Thought I'd ask whether folks thought there was any merit to that idea here, rather than create a new topic for a related idea.