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by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to inquire about writing services

Laptop computers represent a major investment by either individuals or businesses.  Because of the mobile nature of these devices, stronger methods are always being sought to help in the recovery process should a theft occur.  Some of the more recent developments are examined here.

Laptop Security

Intel Enters the Fray With the development of another processor (the Intel vPro and Intel Anti-Theft Technology) Intel is set to assist in the prevention of stolen laptops.  This is a unique approach which provides the ability to lock down the laptop and prevent it from booting, rendering it useless.  This occurs after the laptop has been reported stolen.

Computrace from Absolute Software This software provides the ability to trace a stolen laptop.  Each registered laptop is set to send in a signal on a regular interval.  If a signal is missed, a central monitoring office begins the process of tracking down the laptop.

The philosophy here with these innovations is to make the theft of laptops more trouble than it is worth.  Disabling the laptop from further operation makes for an effective deterrent.  Being able to locate on via central monitoring has its merits.

However, the best system that has only a marginal application to laptops is GPS Tracking.  Adding a tracking device to a laptop would be a difficult, if not impossible feat.  Laptops are already small devices and the form factors do not allow for any additions that would not be obvious to those who would choose to steal them.  That does minimize the effectiveness of GPS Tracking units, however.  One way of getting around this would be to label the external device as an extra battery.  That way, thieves would not be inclined to remove it, thinking that it was there to assist by providing longer operating time on battery power.

Adding GPS Tracking to your most valuable assets can help you recover them by discovering their location instantly.  Then, providing this information to local police, recovery can be made in hours, not days weeks months or maybe never.  And, with things the way they are, protecting your investment in these devices is more important than ever.