FLORIDA LOJACK FOR LAPTOPS PREVENTS THEFTWESH.com - Technology - Laptop LoJack Prevents Laptop TheftLaptop LoJack Prevents Laptop Theft

POSTED: 2:53 pm EST October 31, 2005
UPDATED: 4:34 pm EST October 31, 2005
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The LoJack system for laptop computers is a cutting-edge deterrent to one of the fastest-growing crimes.

Laptop computers are everywhere. They're portable, powerful and expensive, and they've become a prime target for thieves, who in some cases want not only the hardware, but the data as well.

There is now a way for laptop owners to protect their investment, WESH 2 News reported.

Mark Lapora recently returned to his hotel room to find his new $2,000 computer stolen.

"The laptop had been taken off the table, along with the audio peripherals and the DSL. Everything was gone," Lapora said.

Fortunately, Mark invested an extra $100 in a three-year installation of LoJack for laptops when he purchased his laptop.

"We embed a piece of software in a very hidden spot on the computer's hard drive. It actually calls us every day to tell us where it is, and if a customer calls us and says the computer is stolen, we flag that in our database and start tracking it more closely," said Richard Cohen, the owner of Absolute Software.

The tracking begins once the unauthorized user goes online.

"We will track exact location by working with the police and that Internet service provider to identify where the call came from," Cohen said.

Recovery then becomes a police matter. In Lapora's case, it took about three days.

For customers who are more concerned about the data falling into the wrong hands, there is an even quicker coarse of action.

"If our customers ask us to destroy the data on the hard drive, we can do that rather quickly for them," Cohen said

The FBI said only about 3 percent of stolen laptops are ever recovered.