Absolute Software has announced that its consumer laptop recovery product, LoJack for Laptops, will now be available from Costco.com in the US.

For a limited time, people with a Costco membership can receive special pricing on LoJack for Laptops (both Standard and Premium editions) for PC or Mac.

“We’re excited to introduce Computrace LoJack for Laptops to the large U.S. customer base of Costco.com,” said Mark Grace, Vice President of Consumer Business for Absolute. “Costco has distinguished itself among consumers as a major consumer computer retailer with a large selection of computers and software products. Offering Computrace LoJack for Laptops through Costco’s convenient online shopping cart will make it that much easier for consumers to obtain protection for their computers and the precious information they often contain.”

Read more from the press release here or purchase LoJack for Laptops from Costco here.

Tags: costco, lojack for laptops, lojack, laptop security, costco.com

eWeek has published a slideshow of 10 Reasons Why Your Laptop is at Risk that include guidelines for preventing data loss, in every way from patching your system to common sense laptop practices.

The 10 reasons are:

1. Hard Drives Aren’t Encrypted
2. USB Drives Aren’t Glued Shut
3. Work-Home Lines are Crossed
4. End Users Aren’t Security-Aware
5. Physical Security Isn’t Implemented
6. The “Duh” Factor is Ignored
7. Systems Aren’t Labeled
8. The Eyes Don’t Have It
9. No-Jack
10. As the Worm Turns

The ninth item makes reference to Absolute Software’s Lojack for Laptops:

“Like Lojack for laptops, computer tracing programs can track and recover a lost or stolen laptop, and even render a laptop useless from afar.”

For more information on some of the more cryptic slide titles, check out the full slideshow here.

Tags: lojack for laptops, absolute software, laptop security

A friend of ours, Chris Pirillo, runs a live video stream fairly regularly. In a live streaming he did several months ago, he made mention of Computrace LoJack for Laptops, an Absolute Software laptop recovery service for consumers.

Hardware Logic has done a very in-depth review of Computrace LoJack for Laptops, the consumer laptop security software offered by Absolute Software.

The review looked at the performance of an HP Pavillion laptop before, and then after, install of LoJack. They compared startup, shutdown, use of computer while gaming, and much more. The conclusion: LoJack has no discernible impact on system performance. Hardware Logic gives LoJack a stamp of approval and a strong recommendation for any laptop owner:

“It won’t prevent your laptop from theft, but it will do everything it can to get it back. From IP tracking to assisting local authorities with obtaining a search warrant, having LoJack on your side gives you a serious advantage over any unsuspecting crook. High tech thieves will find themselves at a disadvantage too, as LoJack is nearly undetectable and virtually impervious to most attempts at thwarting the software.”

LoJack for Laptops is considered by Hardware Logic as a “no-brainer” ending the review with “can you afford not to have LoJack on your side?”

A very good question indeed. You can learn more about LoJack for Laptops here, or alternatively corporate customers can upgrade to the compliance-level Computrace suite.

Tags: absolute software, lojack, lojack for laptops, computrace, computrace software, absolute software review, lojack for laptops review, computrace review, laptop security, laptop theft prevention

On January 15th, Absolute Software announced that it has now recovered 5,000 stolen laptops on behalf of Computrace & Lojack customers.

Absolute Software works with law enforcement agencies to recover lost and stolen computers and to provide evidence for the prosecution of thieves. Recovering stolen computers is an important step in laptop and data security practices. Absolute Software has now returned 5000 stolen computers - that’s 5000 computers whose data has been secured, that don’t need to be replaced, and that help put laptop thieves behind bars.

Some statistics about laptop security:

• The theft rate of business computers is 3.5% - 5%. With Computrace, this drops to less than 0.5%
• 97% of stolen computers are never recovered
• Absolute Software recovers an average of 50 laptops per week
• Absolute Software recovers 3 out of 4 stolen computers

Read more from the news release here, including some new case studies.

Tags: absolute software, computrace, lojack, lojack for laptops, laptop security

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

A Slashdot user wrote in and asked for reviews on laptop tracking software. The user had been held up at gunpoint and had his laptop stolen, it was a horrible experience and he was looking for advice on how to protect his new laptop purchase.

There are 175 comments so far on the post. One user advises a self-made solution, out of fear that laptop tracking is an invasion of privacy. This is a bit of a paranoid stance, as laptop tracking is only activated when your laptop goes missing. And is invaluable during those times. One user addresses the fallacy of the argument with this example:

Your argument is weak, it is like saying “I don’t want to have an alarm in my house because they will know when I am not at home when I activate it”.

Encryption is a big part of the conversation, although this only covers the security aspect of the laptop, and not tracking and recovery.

It sounds like most of the comments come from the consumer perspective. Comments revolve around the physical cost of the laptop, not around the cost of the data it contains, or the cost of that data if it were to be breached.

Very little tangible advice has been given thus far about laptop tracking software solutions. Lojack and Computrace were mentioned in one reply, but no other products have been recommended. The conversation has become derailed from a dialogue comparing software solutions, as was originally intended, to paranoia about using any solution at all. When it comes to laptop theft, one cannot be paranoid enough - but when it comes to protecting that laptop, one should take practical steps to keep data secure by installing tracking and recovery software.

Learn more about the real cost of a laptop theft here.

Tags: laptop theft, laptop recovery, laptop tracking, absolute software, lojack, computrace

We recently referenced an education technology piece on Absolute’s website, and I wanted to highlight it over here. The article by Westchester1 is called “High Tech Checklist for A-plus Students” and covers all the latest back-to-school technology for high school and college students - and what you need to keep it all safe.

All the latest technology (and what you need to protect it) for back-to-school:

1. Laptop Computer - for homework, research, and social networking.
   • Laptop Tracking & Recovery Software - such as Absolute’s LoJack for Laptops
   • Security Software & Hardware - includes the other basics like anti-virus, anti-spyware, encryption and firewall software, and a good cable lock
2. MP3 Player - one with good audio recording for recording lectures. Effective learning is both visual and aural.
   • Protective Materials - a case, screen protectors, & ID tags (or engraving)
3. Portable Gaming - for play and multi-purpose applications including Internet access
   • Lock it up - keep it in a locker, even in your dorm room. Out of sight is a plus, locked is a preference.
4. Cell Phone - one complete with a camera phone or video capabilities. Get a good data plan. Communication is vital to social learning, and for families too.
   • Protect it - most people overlook this. You can password-protect your address book or other personal information & pictures. Consider a replacement policy if the phone is lost or stolen.

Via Westchester1 Tags: back to school, technology, school, education technology, kids technology

Dateline NBC will profile Absolute Software’s LoJack for Laptops in a new “Gadget Theft” report set to air on August 1st, 10pm ET. Check your local listings for all time zones.

The schedule summary for “Gadget Theft” is as follows:

Using the kind of hi-tech wizardry that makes the iPod the phenomenon it is, Chris Hansen and NBC News producers go on a hidden camera investigation to see if it’s possible to track down and confront people who take iPods that don’t belong to them.

Tags: dateline nbc, gadget theft, absolute software, lojack, lojack for laptops