Boston, Massachusetts 10/31/2006 3:38:33 AM
News / Business

Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says GPS Tracking and Remote Systems for Data Retrieval and Recovery Are Essential for Laptop Computers

(IDTheftSecurity.com) Late in October, T-Mobile USA Inc. announced that one of its laptop computers had gone missing. According to reports, the apparent theft put past and current employees’ sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, at risk. According to Robert Siciliano, a personal security and identity theft expert, the installation of simple systems for GPS tracking and data recovery and retrieval can greatly stem the many difficulties that otherwise beset firms whose laptops are lost to thieves.

Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. The Privacy Learning Institute has featured him on its Web site. This year, Siciliano has discussed identity theft on CNBC’s “On the Money” multiple times, on NBC’s “Today Show,” and on FOX News. He is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.”

“When a laptop computer goes missing,” said Siciliano, “two primary concerns haunt the organization that owns it: the portable computer’s whereabouts and the nature of the data on it. Both problems can lead to the loss of thousands of dollars, and rarely does any organization that loses an unsecured laptop recover the machine or the data that it stored.”

The T-Mobile laptop incident was soon followed by news of yet another laptop computer gone missing. As reported on Oct. 27 in the Toronto Star, the loss of an Ontario Space Centre portable computer prompted that Toronto, Canada–based organization to send a precautionary letter its members.

“An organization that wants to avoid the prohibitive costs associated with laptop loss and theft,” said Siciliano, “should equip its portable computer fleet with GPS tracking technology and systems for the recovery and retrieval of data. And these are by no means expensive systems to install.”

MyLaptopGPS, an Oklahoma-based firm, uses proprietary Internet-based GPS, a user-friendly system that tracks the whereabouts of misplaced and stolen laptops more efficiently and at far less of an expense than do offerings from other GPS providers. And the company’s product of the same name, MyLaptopGPS™, goes a step further by installing software that encrypts and silently removes important files from lost laptops—returning these electronic documents to their rightful owners while placing the data out of criminals’ reach.

“Why make the laptop computer thief’s job any easier than it already is?” asked Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS (www.MyLaptopGPS.com). “High-profile thefts can bring attention to this issue, but there’s little comfort when an enormous percentage of small and large businesses continue to sit completely idle.”

“MyLaptopGPS turns the tables,” Yost continued, “enabling businesses to remotely, covertly, and inexpensively destroy stolen data—with or without recovering it first—and track the criminals who stole the machines in the first place.”

“Studies now show that the total number of records lost this year due to data security breaches has reached 100 million,” Siciliano concluded. “Many of these breaches have been laptop computer thefts. With so much affordable counter-theft technology available, smart organizations are investing in themselves, their customers, and employees by spending a little money up front to save everyone a mountain of money later.”

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About IDTheftSecurity.com
Identity theft affects us all, which is why Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, “The Suze Orman Show,” “ABC News with Sam Donaldson,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” and “The Howard Stern Show.” Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com, or his blog, www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com.

About MyLaptopGPS
Since 1984, the minds behind AIT Solutions, LLC (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) have specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been servicing leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems. With MyLaptopGPS™, AIT Solutions, LLC brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services.

The media are encouraged to get in touch directly with the following individuals:

Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
E-MAIL: Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner, President
STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
E-MAIL: BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz