Destroy or Encrypt the Data Remotely from Stolen and Lost Computers…as Long as the Bad Guys Don’t Get Wise…

Today there were several news reports about a new service "that makes it possible to encrypt or delete data even after a laptop has gone missing."  This sounds great!

Let’s read on…

"The new Everdream "Theft Recovery Managed Service" allows organizations to retain control over lost or stolen PCs and laptops, the Fremont, Calif., company said in a statement. The service also can assist law enforcement with the tracking, locating and recovery of computers, the company said.

When a missing PC is connected to the Internet, it automatically contacts Everdream. This triggers encryption or deletion of data on the computer, based on the customer’s setting, Everdream said.

At the same time, information on the Internet connection used by the lost computer is stored. This can help locate and recover the PC, Everdream said. The service won’t work, however, if the computer’s hard disk has been formatted, because the Everdream software resides on the hard disk, an Everdream representative said."

I’m really interested to see what type of configuration possibilities this "service" has available. 

The weakness in this system is, "The service won’t work, however, if the computer’s hard disk has been formatted, because the Everdream software resides on the hard disk"

Well, of course you can’t wish for technology miracles, and technology certainly has its weaknesses.  However, if the bad folks with their hands on stolen or lost computers know about this, it is likely they will first copy all the data, and not the Everdream software, onto a separate storage device and then reformat the hard drive, thus getting all that valuable data.  Of course, if the bad guys don’t keep up on this news, they will probably not know to do this, will they?  🙂

Sounds like a nice mobile computing device security possibility, though…worth looking into…

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