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Computer Theft - Will you be the next victim?

... the next computer theft will occur in 53 seconds

We talk about backing up and electrical surge protection. But what happens if your computer is stolen. Laptops are listed as one of the most stolen items in the world today. Do you travel with your laptop? Do you leave your laptop in the car? Do you carry it into heavily populated or busy places? According to the FBI, in year 2000 there were 418,000 laptops and PCs lost or stolen in the USA. Insurance statistics shows that if you own a laptop you have a 1 in 14 chance it will be stolen. This works out to about one computer theft every 53 seconds. (Safeware The Insurance Agency 2004)

Can you risk losing it all?

Did you ever think what you would lose if your computer was stolen? Sure, your insurance will replace it; maybe. You do have insurance, right? Cable locks and other security measures make effective deterrents to casual thieves. But if they want to steal it -- they will. Here are some idea-starters on precautions that, in today's world, all computer and tech gear users should consider.

Orbicule Inc. has introduced a brand new software security application that traces the location of missing or stolen Macs for recovery. Their product, Undercover, routinely checks with the Undercover server. In case of theft, the Mac's unique Undercover ID is added to the database on the Undercover server, initiating the recovery process. During the recovery phase, Undercover transmits its current location on the internet, enabling the Undercover team to identify the computer's exact physical location.

Moreover, Undercover also sends screenshots of the stolen Mac, revealing details of the thief's identity. The Undercover recovery center will then work with law enforcement to recover the Mac.

In case recovery fails, the software has an ingenious plan B: it will simulate a hardware failure, urging the thief to send the computer in for repair or sell it. As soon as the thief gets rid of the Mac, Undercover will warn the new user that the Mac has been stolen and must be returned as soon as possible.

The computer will shout from time to time that it has been stolen and Undercover will take over the screen, displaying how the Mac can be returned while making the computer unusable.

More information on Undercover and on the theft-recovery process is available at: orbicule.com. Download the demo undercover.dmg.

Mac Phone Home

A second solution by Brigadoon Software has been out for quite a while -- PC PhoneHome and MacPhoneHome also secretly send an invisible email message to an email address of your choice containing the physical location of your computer. When the stolen computer goes online, it will send a stealth message to the pre-determined e-mail address containing its exact location. Once this information is received, Brigadoon provides full technical and recovery support. Their recovery agents work with you, global ISPs and the investigating law enforcement agency to recover your stolen property.

PC PhoneHome and MacPhoneHome are priced at only $29.95 USD. See PC Phone Home, or Mac Phone Home for details. Brigadoon also offers a free demo at www.pcphonehome.com.

An educated computer user is a protected one

further reading and reference material:
* PRACTICAL TRAVELER: LAPTOPS; Keeping Your Computer and Its Contents Safe - by David A. Kelly - New York Times; August 21, 2005
* Safeguard your kids' gadgets by Jim Rossman - Dallas Morning News; August 15, 2005
* Hit the Road, Mac by various authors - Macworld; April 4th, 2005
* Computrac, and LoJack for Laptops security and tracking software which deters laptop theft and recovers stolen computers. See statistics and security tips
* Safeware Insurance Company specialized insurance from the single PDA to full, wrap-around corporate solutions. They cover accidental damage as well as theft. (See their [PDF] newsletter)
* Useful Security Tips and statistics from Kensington, makers of locks, cables and other security hardware.
* Corporate Travel Safety Useful notes and tips covering all aspects of travel, not just laptops.
* Stuff Back - a tracking and labeling product that encourages "good samaritans" to return the lost or stolen item. Provides toll-free, mail, and UPS recovery options. Inexpensive, a good idea in addition to other safety measures.

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