Absolute(R) Software Corporation, Vancouver, (TSX: ABT), a provider
of firmware-based, patented Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and
Secure Asset Tracking(TM) has announced several incidents where its home
computer anti-theft product Computrace(R) LoJack(R) for Laptops(TM)
helped recover client computers in time for the holidays. The product is
available direct from Absolute Software, through major computer software
retailers and with the purchase of new computers direct from computer
manufacturers.
"We've recovered nearly 5,000 computers for our
customers, a majority of which have come in the last 18 months,"
said Lyle Singular, Director of Recovery Services for Absolute Software.
"Two weeks ago we recovered 113 computers - our single biggest
recovery week ever. It gives our entire team a great sense of pride to
be able to make a difference in so many people's lives by
protecting laptops and returning stolen computers in time for the
holidays."
Available direct from Absolute Software, major retail stores and
most computer manufacturers, Computrace LoJack for Laptops is an
anti-theft system for small business and home use. Like most of Absolute
Software's corporate suite of products, Computrace LoJack for
Laptops tracks stolen computers and assists law enforcement in
recovering computers and prosecuting thieves.
Below are some recent examples of Computrace LoJack for Laptops at
work in the personal computing market:
Tallahassee Student Gets Stolen Computer Back in Time for the
Holidays
A Tallahassee student was shocked when she awoke to find that
thieves had entered her locked apartment while she slept. The thieves
silently removed the student's television and her laptop computer -
which stored irreplaceable photos and other personal files. The
Tallahassee Police Department and Absolute Software's Theft
Recovery Team were alerted and began investigating.
According to a police spokesperson, "Because this case
didn't have much evidence, it was given a low priority."
Several days later, information transmitted by the Computrace Agent
hidden in the stolen laptop, allowed the burglary unit to obtain a
search warrant for an apartment address. With the search warrant in
hand, investigators searched the apartment and were able to return both
the television and laptop to the burglary victim. According to the
victim's mother, "My daughter has recommended Computrace to
several of her friends and sorority sisters. There is more satisfaction
in knowing the thieves have been captured and the items returned than in
just having insurance to cover the loss."
Two suspects, one 19, the other 20 years of age, were arrested and
now face charges of burglary and grand theft.
Stolen Laptop Recovered: Leads California Police to Home Invaders
Two thieves broke into the home of a Pittsburg, California resident
and, holding the resident and his wife at gunpoint, made off with: a
Gateway laptop computer, two cellular phones, a Kodak camera, fast track
responder, art supplies - even the man's dentures. After the
thieves left, the home invasion victim informed local police and
Absolute's Theft Recovery Team.
Several days later, Computrace LoJack for Laptops traced the stolen
laptop to the private network of a major health management organization.
The HMO's internal Ethics and Integrity Office worked with
Pittsburg police to identify a contractor who had logged onto the
network in Oakland and attempted to install a new operating system. When
confronted, the contractor indicated that he had bought the computer on
craigslist from two other men. With close cooperation between Absolute,
HMO IT staff and police, both home invasion suspects are now in custody
and facing charges. The health management organization is now
investigating installing Absolute's corporate product on its
computers.
Business Traveler Loses Laptop in Costa Rica: No Problem for
Computrace
On a regular trip to Costa Rica, a business traveler's laptop
was stolen as it was being loaded into an airport shuttle. The
Computrace LoJack for Laptops subscriber immediately informed local
authorities and the Absolute Theft Recovery Team - suspecting the
computer was lost forever.
Absolute Theft Recovery Officers traced the computer to a Costa
Rican architectural firm. Partners at the firm were very surprised to
learn that the computer was stolen property. On further investigation,
Costa Rican police determined that the computer had been sold to a
second-hand computer store and then sold a second time to the
architects. The computer has now been returned to its owner by intrigued
Costa Rican police.
How It Works
When a Computrace-equipped computer is reported stolen, the
embedded Computrace Agent sends a silent signal to Absolute's
Monitoring Center providing critical location information. Absolute then
works with local law enforcement to recover the computer, and, if
necessary, assist with search warrant applications and subpoenas. The
stealthy Computrace software Agent can survive accidental or deliberate
attempts at removal or disablement. With embedded support in the BIOS(1)
firmware of a computer, the Computrace Agent is capable of surviving
operating system re-installations, as well as hard-drive reformats,
replacements and re-imaging.
For more information on Absolute Software and its range of Computer
Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions,
visit www.absolute.com or www.lojackforlaptops.com.
For more information on Absolute's success in recovering lost
or stolen computers, please visit
http://www.absolute.com/resources/resources-by-market.asp.
(1) For a complete list of BIOS-supported computers visit
http://www.absolute.com/BIOS.
About Absolute Software
Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in Computer
Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions.
Absolute Software provides organizations and consumers with solutions in
the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery.
The company's Computrace(R) software is embedded in the BIOS of
computers by global leaders, including Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP,
Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the company has reselling
partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple.
For more information about Absolute Software and Computrace, visit
http://www.absolute.com or call 212/398-9680, ext. 144.
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