Absolute Software has now added geolocation tracking to Computrace, its corporate multi-layered security solution for theft recovery, data protection, and asset tracking.

Computrace with GPS Tracking allows for IT managers to track GPS-enabled laptops to approximately 10 meters (33 feet) and to view reports using Google Maps technology. Check out the screenshot below:

Adding GPS tracking capabilities to Computrace will allow for IT managers to detect missing computers earlier. When a computer goes missing, GPS information becomes a powerful extra tool for the Absolute Software theft recovery team.

How It Works
Using the embedded GPS technology, Computrace acquires latitude and longitude location information from the laptops. Managers can view the location of all GPS-enabled laptops in their account, individually or collectively, via Absolute’s web-based IT asset management portal.

For more details, read the press release here or contact the Absolute Software sales team.

Tags: Absolute Software, GPS tracking, geolocation, google maps, laptop security, laptop tracking, gps laptop tracking, it asset management, asset management, it security, business security, data security

CSO Online’s Michael Overly has a good article about businesses trusting their sensitive information to consultants, and what best practices to follow. The first guideline: do not let your consultant store any of the information on a laptop.

There are practical considerations that make it difficult to ban the use of laptops in all situations. Consultants may need to move from site to site easily, with constant access to the data. One solution is to provide laptops to the consultant yourself - that way you can be satisfied with the security systems in place. When that is cost prohibitive, here are some suggestions offered for a laptop security policy to enforce with contractors:

• WiFi access should be limited to approved secured means, and used only when necessary
• Hard disk must be encrypted
• All ports on laptops to be disabled
• Strong authentication required (e.g. biometric)
• Security software installed and kept up-to-date
• Secure and irreversible erasure of data to be enforced at end of data-use period
• Tracking software with remote data delete should be used (like Absolute Software’s Computrace products)
• Breach notification protocols should be in place in the event that the laptop goes missing

You can read more suggestions here.

Tags: breach, data breach, security, data security, laptop security, it security, business security, contractors, security policy

Absolute Software has announced some big news during the course of this week. In the first announcement, Absolute Software will be working with Qualcomm’s Gobi to provide increased security to enterprise customers in the mobile environment. In the second announcement, Absolute Software has paired with Intel to provide strong anti-theft technology for Centrino laptops.

Yesterday, Absolute Software announced at the CTIA Wireless Show in Las Vegas that they will be adapting Computrace to work with Qualcomm’s Gobi mobile Internet and GPS platform. This will allow for real-time communication between laptops and the asset management and security services in the Computrace suite. This would mean that IT audits and remote data delete commands can be carried out in real time, no matter where the laptop is. You can visit Absolute software at Qualcomm’s booth number 1948, Mobile Enterprise Partner Pod, during the CTIA Wireless Show on April 1, 2 & 3.

Announced today, Absolute Software and Intel are to collaborate to provide integrated anti-theft technology for next generation notebook computers. Absolute Software’s Computrace will be integrated into the Intel Anti-Theft Technology suite later this year. Absolute’s core expertise in IT asset management, data protection and computer theft recovery services will enhance a whole suite of new Intel Centrino laptops.

You can read more about these releases here:

• Absolute Software to Integrate Computrace with Qualcomm’s Gobi Global Mobile Internet Solution
• Absolute Software Announces Collaboration and Support for Intel® Anti-Theft Technology for Next Generation Notebooks

Tags: computrace, absolute software, intel, qualcomm, gobi, mobile internet, wireless, laptop security, data security, mobile security, notebook security, laptop recovery, anti theft, theft prevention, compliance

A new research report from Blue Coat on security threats for 2008 indicates that laptops containing corporate data will continue to be attractive targets for thieves. The report, which also indicates that web-based malware attacks will flourish in 2008, estimates that a computer holding 10,000 records can be worth as much as $140,000 on the black market. Blue Coat estimates that more companies will move away from storing Social Security Numbers, to limit the threat of identity theft. Network security will be, however, a persistent issue. More info on this topic:

• 5 most stolen gadgets - laptop is #1
• Absolute Software survey - average cost of a data breach is $137,000
• iBahn survey - average value of personal information on a laptop is $330,000

Click here to read more about how Absolute Software’s Computrace can help to secure your corporate laptops (and data). Via infoworld Tags: laptops, laptop security, laptop theft, identity theft, black market, data resale, data breach

A man stole 150 laptops from offices in 5 states in the past 5 years by portraying himself as ‘trusting’ to office employees.

A clean-cut and well dressed man would walk into an office and mingle with the company staff. He would blend into the crowd in his “faceless” attire and manner. When they left for the day, he’d pack up the office laptops and walk away. Eric Almly was a serial laptop thief - known to some as the Khaki Bandit - until he made one fatal mistake. He went up against LoJack for Laptops - and lost.

Eric Almly had his routine down - he’d practiced until perfect. His operation, from choosing his targets to the resale of his stolen goods online, was flawless. No fingerprints, no leads from video surveillance, no connection between stolen goods and online sales.

But Eric Almly chose the wrong target in April of this year. He stole 11 laptops from the Tampa headquarters of Outback Steakhouse; unfortunately for Eric, 9 of those laptops were equipped with Absolute Software’s LoJack for Laptops.

The stolen computers transmitted the computer’s physical address to police, and police were able to nab the thief. Almly was then connected with many other crimes from the evidence on hand.

Almly had gotten away with 139 laptop thefts before being caught, and would have continued to evade police had Outback Steakhouse not protected their laptop computers with Absolute’s product.

Via sptimes, wsj Tags: eric almly, lojack, lojack for laptops, laptop security, laptop theft, serial thief, laptop recovery

Absolute Software’s LoJack for Laptops helped prevent the identity theft of a man in Lynnwood.

Michael Pierson left his laptop in his car while he went to the mall. Though only gone for a half-hour, Michael returned to find his car had been burglarized, and his laptop was missing.

Michael Pierson was prepared, though. He had installed Computrace LoJack for Laptops.  Absolute Software was notified of the theft and when the laptop next came online, the IP address was sent to Lynwood police. The police were able to track the thieves to a motel where there was evidence that the thief was running an identity theft operation.

In this case, identity theft may have been the motivator for the burglary. With the help of Computrace LoJack for Laptops, the crime was prevented and the laptop returned.

Story from KIRO Seattle Tags: lojack for laptops, computrace, absolute software, laptop recovery, laptop theft, laptop security, identity theft

Absolute Software has announced a $1.7 million deal with a US Federal Agency to secure 37,000 of the agency’s computers with ComputraceComplete for 3 years.

As evidenced by the multiple data breaches happening at the Federal level, this deal signals a very positive shift in data security practices aimed to address the growing problem.

ComputraceComplete is Absolute’s flagship product for laptop security, offering multi-layered security solutions in computer theft recovery, data protection, secure asset tracking and a recovery guarantee. IT managers will have a tool to monitor computer movement - where computers are, who is using them, and even what’s installed on them. In the case of loss or theft, ComputraceComplete can help recover the laptops, or to remotely wipe data against the possibility of a data breach. ComputraceComplete helps agencies meet the data security & reporting requirements of state and Federal privacy regulations.

John Livingston, Chairman and CEO of Absolute Software, notes that:

“As government agencies and departments implement plans to better secure their mobile computers and the sensitive information on them, they are seeking industry-standard tools and best practices from established vendors. This latest sales contract will help a key Federal agency track and secure 37,000 of their 40,000 laptop and desktop computers. We believe this is strong validation that Absolute’s BIOS-supported hardware and data protection products are viewed as a critical solution in government settings.”

Tags: absolute software, computrace, computrace complete, laptop security, laptop recovery, laptop theft, it security, government it, government security

How does the laptop recovery process work here at Absolute Software?

1. Report your theft to the police and keep your file number handy
2. Report your theft to us online (corporate | personal) or call 1-800-81-THEFT
3. We do the rest!

We will work with law enforcement to find your computer. We relay info such as your computer’s recent connections with our monitoring center and its last known location.

In addition to our software, the relationships we have with over 800 police departments, government agencies and private firms makes it possible for us to recover your laptop. We recover 3 out of 4 stolen computers (according to the FBI) - that’s compared to a 3% recovery rate without one of our products (according to the FBI).

For more information visit our site.

Tags: absolute software, laptop recovery, laptop theft