Schools Need Mobile Security, Too
An elementary school in Honolulu has had 60 laptop computers taken from eight different classrooms, one Sunday after midnight. Police have so far recovered about 30 of the missing laptops, mostly thanks to tips from local residents -- as well as finding some of the computers simply disposed of close to the school grounds. Taking 60 laptops usually indicates a desire to sell them off somewhere, and the remaining half of the loot still remains to be found.
Teachers say that above all, the children are disturbed by the invasion of their private space -- they consider the school a home away from home and don't understand why their computers were taken, or that they probably won't be returned.
School computers -- especially those that are staying in the building for the duration of their lifespan -- are perfect for installing some smart laptop security. Notebak's DigitaLabel service is a really great device to safeguard school computers; when combined with the GeoFence, the laptops are protected in several ways: a lockscreen will trigger as soon as the computer gets taken outside of a specified boundary -- like the school building -- and a screen will appear that helps get the laptop back.
This recovery screen is where the thief, unsuspecting buyer or anyone who currently has the laptop will be able to contact the rightful owners through Notebak, with our help -- since the lock screen renders the computer unusable (and therefore un-sellable), the thief themselves may very well take advantage of this service, especiallyif a reward is offered. This lock screen is extremely resilient, and prevents various methods that one can attempt in order to bypass it: the computer's internal systems and files will remain untouched during this whole process, which means the students can get their laptops back as if nothing happened; something that might help that distressed feeling about the whole event.
Notebak has many other nifty features which would help the many computers that schools keep. By installing a smart program like this, teachers, students and tax payers alike can rest assured that these invaluable teaching tools are safe, there for the students anytime they need them. This way, schools can vastly lower replacement costs by simply thinking ahead.
Featured image: popofatticus/Flickr, cc
Another Laptop Stolen From Hospital Staff
Lifted out of a car parked at a restaurant, a laptop containing the data of more than 14,000 patients is now in questionable hands. Adding insult to injury, the information was not properly encrypted -- leaving the social security numbers, dates of birth, records and addresses of the patients exposed to unnecessary risk.
I cannot stress enough how important it is for organizations such as this -- specifically medical professionals who keep extensive digital records -- to install appropriate, and good, laptop security. It may very well be the case that the information will never be accessed and will not be misused, but once again, the hospital had to contact every patient that was potentially affected -- lots of work that no employee enjoys performing. The worry, hassle and perhaps even news story could easily have been avoided.
Destroy or recover your data instantly, see who it is that has the laptop, know the data is inaccessible, and definitively pinpoint its location -- it sounds like a scenario too good to be true, but it's completely possible: by simply taking a moment to safeguard one's business, organization or personal information right now.
After seeing these events happening so often in the news, I will make it a point to ask my family physician whether they take any precautionary measures in terms of mobile security; who knows, if we all do that, we may very well prevent these things from happening so often in the future. Tell your doctor!
Featured image: r3v || cls/Flickr, cc
One Stolen Laptop Equals Lots of Paperwork
A physician at the Indiana University School of Medicine had a laptop stolen out of his vehicle -- on it was the information of more than 3,000 patients: age, sex, medical record numbers, diagnosis and in some cases a social insurance number is what's on file. The university says the laptop is protected by password protection, but that a "computer specialist" might be able to bypass this; once a thief has ample time to work with a machine, the standard lock screen can be circumvented. However, another common method would be to reformat the whole hard drive, so the patient info still has a chance to stay secure.
Either way this theft plays out, the outcome is not a fun one. The university is currently sending out a letter to each and every individual whose information was on the computer, which means a lot of hours of paperwork for some unlucky people. This situation is a perfect demonstration of the reason why any serious business requires a solid computer security plan. Medical facilities are particularly vulnerable when it comes to keeping patient data safe, as any leak might mean serious consequences for the people involved -- insurance policies are just one thing that may change for them. Many other businesses also need to keep data security as a top priority, with law and accounting firms jumping to the top of the list.
It's impractical to assume that employees will always keep the computer close by and under a watchful eye -- no one does that all the time -- so a smart strategy is sorely needed for organizations like this. There's no need to be overwhelmed by the number of laptops that need protecting, either: a good program will make the load easily manageable by a likely-already-existing IT team. A well-designed software won't burden the tech team, but will instead make their job easier by keeping track of all the machines they are responsible for; organization and control are your friends when it comes to mobile security.
A simple and intuitive program that stays in the background until the moment it's needed is the perfect solution: quietly keeping everyone safe from a crisis and hours of paperwork. As far as security peace-of-mind goes, Notebak is the perfect solution: with the option to recover any and all files on a missing device, or simply wipe out the whole hard drive in one fell swoop makes for a sweet sense of calm. The IT team will have an easy time, as well: Notebak's online control center allows them to see everything that's going on, allowing them concentrate on bigger and better things than record-keeping. If a sensitive laptop goes missing, there's no need to worry: a quick log-in to the online account and the problem is solved; the actual hardware may even be recovered.
Here's hoping that IU's Medical Center takes a long hard look at their laptop security policy, but it needn't be a tough choice: get protection, keep it simple.
Featured image: nerdcoregirl/Flickr, cc via Chicago Tribune
Lucky Software Helps Recover Laptop
In Australia, a rash of laptop thefts are getting a helping hand from anti-virus software installed on the computers before they were stolen. Each time the computer connects to the internet it makes a shout-out to the anti-virus company; this behavior is what helped the computers be recovered by police after the internet connection revealed their new location. However, some of the stolen computers never connected to the internet again, which meant that this particular method didn't work in that case; other times, it took the computers over a month to make that connection.
The anti-virus guys could also send a message to the computer saying that it was stolen, which led to the return of one of the laptops -- it was unknowingly purchased second-hand.
This yet another example of how lucky people can get -- and I'm not talking about the recovery, here. It was coincidental that a software that wasn't meant to provide this service ended up pulling through for this purpose, but I highly urge everybody not to rely on these chance occurrences. It may very well be the case that these chance abilities are being discovered every day by software companies, but these programs are not designed for this purpose. Notebak has a full suite of user-friendly features that will give you absolute control when you need it most; webcam pics and precise locations have already helped the cops in previous instances -- but sometimes it takes them a month or more to act on it; go all out and set up your GeoFence, or simply activate an alarm -- it's up to you, but the choice is there.
Protecting your hardware, or even just the electronic files, is super easy before anything goes wrong: Notebak gives you the ability to know for a fact that recovery is in the cards should your computer go missing. Webcam pics of the people using the stolen property have helped police more than once, so why not make it a sure thing for yourself, and never worry again. It really is that simple.
Featured image: tomerlichtash/Flickr, cc via The Australian
Facebook and Laptop Software Help Police Yet Again
For the third time in just over a week, software installed on a laptop has helped recover it after a theft. This time the scene took place in Paducah, Kentucky, where a $2,000 Dell was stolen during a Marquette Transportation ride -- boats that get people and cargo around on the Mississippi River system.
Unbeknownst to the thief, the laptop was equipped with the software companies install when they want to track their employee's internet activities. The cops were able to view the screen at the same time as the thief was busy browsing his Facebook page. By seeing which residential network the thief belonged to on Facebook, and then finding that computer on the wireless network in that location the police were able to recover the laptop and arrest the thief.
"Ultimately, you're not concerned about the cost of the computer. You're concerned about the cost of the data on the computer," says Willie Kerns of Smart Path Technologies. Individual users without a company to track their computer can download their own software -- and one that will respond quicker and more efficiently than counting on a thief's Facebook network to be discovered.
Notebak gives you the capability to quickly track down whoever it is that has your laptop at any given moment, and the power to swiftly recover all your data; as Kerns said, at the end of the day, that's all you're worried about. Even if you can't get the hardware back, download all your important files onto our server, or get them emailed to you -- you will never lose any of your files or photos, no matter how the situation plays out.
Police Recommend Laptop Security That Takes Webcam Photos
Police in the UK are recommending that laptop users install tracking technology -- specifically, the type that takes webcam images of the thief; the suggestion came after Selby was attacked with a spat of opportunistic thefts this summer. Sargeant Karl Simpsom of Selby Police wants people to help out the force when it comes to tracking stolen laptops: police will often have no leads to go on when your device goes missing, but with the help of webcam images and precise IP identification, the cops will be able to do much more for you.
Sgt. Simpsom says: "The important thing we would recommend would be to install this software sooner rather than later. Think ahead. You must install any such software before your laptop or mobile device are taken." Wise words. Back in June, a California designer got police to take his case seriously when he provided them with the info about where his MacBook was being held.
Notebak is such an easy solution when your laptop goes missing, that it might almost be enjoyable to be so much in control; the people who "think ahead" as Sgt. Simpsom suggests are the ones who definitely get the last laugh. It's so simple and intuitive, while enhancing your chances of never losing your laptop so greatly, that it's a no-brainer when it comes to installing it.
Featured image: banspy/Flick,cc via Gazette&Herald
Man Recovers Laptop Stolen During London Riots
London has experienced some pretty rough and bewildering times recently -- residents rioted for several days, destroying several buildings and stirring up a lot of questions. It is the unfortunate nature of riots that some people get hurt and some things get stolen; in this case it was the laptop of Greg Martin, 29, who was visiting from Texas. Upon noticing that his laptop was somehow lifted out of the apartment he was staying in, Martin didn't panic -- at least not too much, that is.
Martin had mobile security software installed on his computer; this allowed him to turn on his computer's webcam to take a picture of the thief, as well as write down the precise coordinates his laptop was being kept at. After giving all this information to the police, all Martin had to go was sit back and wait.
The police recovered the stolen laptop and charged the 18-year old who had it with handling stolen goods. What a great day it is when one is prepared to handle a bad situation! By turning on a webcam and being able to see exact coordinates, something that could have been a terrible experience turned out into a smooth ride -- albeit one a bit too exciting.
Notebak does all of these great things for you, so get prepared today and enjoy having the upper hand should the situation ever arise -- surely, Martin was feeling pretty good about himself.
Featured image: Silveira Neto/Flickr,cc via The Telegraph
Chance Wi-Fi Spotting Leads to Laptop Recovery
An Ohio laptop was retrieved with the help of police thanks to an accidental spotting; the laptop was noticed as being connected to its home Wi-Fi network by another user, which led to the police questioning and detaining a man living in the same building as the owner. This spotting was extremely lucky -- if the user didn't notice the laptop's name on the network at the moment it was there, the thief would have gone on using it; since the robber was fully using the computer, it's very possible that the owner's private data -- files and potentially very personal photos -- were also being browsed and somehow tampered with.
Being prepared for a situation of theft or loss is never a bad idea, and this case shows that a laptop can be taken even from a user who is not "mobile" per se -- this one was stolen out of an apartment! With Notebak installed on my laptop, I've lately been feeling a lot more confident about the potential fate of my computer. The user in the above news story got extremely lucky when their neighbor noticed the laptop on the Wi-Fi -- that is a situation that I do not want to depend on. What if the computer was taken to a different connection? There would be no such sighting, in that case.
However, with Notebak, the owner could have used said neighbor's computer (or any other one, for that matter) to log online, activate a web-camera, microphone or the GEO Fence and give all that data to the police. The cops would have had a lot of info to go on -- including the specific location of the computer -- and would have helped track down the laptop, coincidental spotting or not. If the owner didn't want to get the police involved, or couldn't, the DigitaLabel would have helped them communicate with whoever had the laptop in order to organize a reward -- all-in-all, a complete set of tools.
Personally, I love having a tool like Notebak. I'm definitely glad the Ohio laptop was recovered, and perhaps it could not have happened any other way, but I want to be sure when it comes to mine -- I will not take any chances.
via ChronicleOnline
Sidewalk Theft, Owner Hopes for Safe Return
While walking down the street in China, two women were assaulted by a man who got out of a vehicle, grabbed a laptop one of them was carrying and sped off. Authorities are currently attempting to recover the laptop, which has a Chinese operating system and all information in the language, as well. Unless the thief knew the women and targeted that laptop specifically, he will probably be looking to turn a profit by selling the device; this is where a good mobile security application could save the device as well as all the owner's hard work.
As soon as the thief turns on the device, Notebak can help track it. In addition, a helpful locking screen allows the thief -- or anyone that finds the device -- communicate with the owner; if the thief is after money, this is how he can safely collect a reward without robbing this woman of her valuable work and information. On the other hand, the woman can also go online and retrieve her info: everything a good mobile security software should do for you. It may sometimes seem paranoid to install security devices on your personal computer, but hey -- it can come in handy. No one wants to attempt recalling hours of written work or losing a bunch of photographs: protect your computer now, and be glad later, it's that simple.
We're currently in the process of translating our software into multiple languages, and will have a version for many types of operating systems. We're working hard to help you keep your data secure -- while honoring all the hours you've put into your computer.
Featured image: daisybush/Flickr
Laptop Thefts Are In The News
Some more laptop thefts are hitting the news: one from a law office -- where nothing else was stolen -- and another from a Fairgrounds. Not all laptops may have some super-sensitive information on them -- like the one stolen from the medical clinic -- but it would be pretty unpleasant having yours go missing; all that stuff you work on, save and file away is not something you can forget about. And that's not even mentioning the hardware, itself. That's why Notebak is pretty cool software to have: first of all, you can set up a GeoFence, which locks your computer if it leaves a certain boundary, determined by you. This could be your home office or a large office building, if you're a large company wishing to prevent laptops from leaving the building. Second of all, it makes it pretty simple for someone to return your hardware to you, by giving them all the information they need to contact you -- anonymously (they'll never know your name or any other details).
Laptops go missing; it's a fact of life. Yours may not have super-secret documents on it, but it's still not something you wouldn't ever want to part with, especially unwillingly. Protect yourself with some smart mobile security, and especially the type that pulls all the right moves to reconnect you with your loved machine. I'm constantly seeing news about stolen laptops, but there are also the stories that don't make it to the press: ones about people losing their computers. It happens. Backing up your data regularly is a drag to some people who don't know any better (me, for one), so I prefer to take the easy way out and guarantee myself file recovery, plus some enhanced protection, on a daily basis with some easy software. Mobile security -- it's important.
Featured image: dougbelshaw/Flickr