Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS: Organizations Must Protect Employee Data Stored on Mobile Computing Devices

August 22nd, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - Aug. 22, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) In July, the theft of multiple laptop computers belonging to a Missouri-based cable provider left more than 9,000 of the firm’s current and former employees’ confidential data in the hands of thieves. The potential, crippling financial consequences of this and other laptop thefts, however, could easily be avoided, according to widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano, who directed firms to MyLaptopGPS, a laptop tracking and data recovery firm mentioned in the August 2008 issue of Inc. Magazine.

"Databases of individuals’ identifying information stored on laptops are prime targets for identity thieves, who recognize the exceptional value of such records," said Siciliano. "Employment data is in fact tailor made for fraudsters. And every potential victim is also a potential plaintiff in a potential class action suit against any offending organization that leaves identifying information on its mobile computers. The alternative is simple: Equip mobile computing fleets with affordable laptop tracking capability and remote data retrieval and deletion technology."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

On Aug. 13, The Associated Press reported on the theft of 12 laptop computers from the offices of Charter Communications Inc., a sizeable cable provider based in St. Louis, Mo. During the week prior to the AP’s report, about 9,000 former and current employees received notification from the firm that their Social Security numbers, associated names and birth dates were on the stolen machines. The St. Louis Business Journal later reported that just one of the laptops contained all this employee data. Additionally, Charter Communications had “no reason to believe that the information has been or will be used improperly,” according to a company spokesperson quoted in the AP’s news report.

"When a laptop computer storing confidential data on employees goes missing from a business office, the default assumption ought to be that the data is also at risk," said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who invited readers to visit the MyLaptopGPS blog and discuss the Charter Communications data breach. "The default practice for organizations, in fact, should be to raise the odds of sparing the data from this risk — by installing laptop tracking technology on their fleets of mobile computing equipment."

MyLaptopGPS maintains the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI™), a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses. The REDI also assesses those losses’ associated costs by drawing on estimates from the FBI and other sources that reflect the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur whenever a computer is misplaced or stolen.

On Aug. 21, the REDI indicated that these highly publicized events had accounted for 492 laptops having gone missing thus far in 2008. MyLaptopGPS keeps a log of these high-profile laptop thefts at its website. The REDI’s latest number translated to 2,546,917 data records and estimated financial damages of $500,230,549, a 40 percent increase in cost over the past three months alone.

"Our laptop fleet was certainly worth protecting," said Jim Sullivan, the network, systems and security administrator for FastForms, Inc. "We had procedures in place to help secure the machines, but we realized that we needed some key, additional layers of security, such as covert tracking and remote-controlled data recovery and destruction. MyLaptopGPS’ solution is very easy to use, and we are quite satisfied. We would recommend MyLaptopGPS to any business seeking a simple solution to secure their laptops and data."

Anti-laptop theft technology such as MyLaptopGPS’ combines Internet-based GPS tracking — more effective than other forms of GPS for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. A user launches MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods™, cell phones, BlackBerry™ devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he discussed this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provided consumers affected by the theft with the tips they needed to avoid paying for fraudulent charges to their bank accounts and credit accounts. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.


###

About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has 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 serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. 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 for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, 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 "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

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

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

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://www.brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Common Data Handling Practices Mean Consumers Need Protection against Financial Fraud

August 22nd, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Aug. 22, 2008 - One You Security) From mid-2006 to mid-2008, consumers’ private and confidential information went missing from a majority of U.K. firms, according to data announced earlier this summer by researchers who said 90 percent of these incidents went unreported to customers. The findings reflect major reasons for consumers to take proactive steps in controlling their own identities, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. While consumers have little purview over how businesses obtain and use their identifying data, according to Siciliano, they can turn to firms such as One You Security, whose services render Social Security numbers useless to thieves who would use them to commit financial fraud.

"What is all-too-evident and unfortunate is not only that consumers’ data in the hands of businesses often finds itself in harm’s way, but also that these consumers have little say over the circumstances," said Siciliano. "What’s even worse, however, is that an overwhelming majority of professionals responsible for all this data won’t even report a breach to the consumers whose information is involved. U.S. consumers can assume that the scenario over here is similar to that in the United Kingdom, and they really have only one practical option: to exercise better control over their identifying information by turning to services such as One You’s, which transforms the Social Security number into something of little use to financial fraudsters."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

A study has found that 61 percent of marketing professionals in the United Kingdom experienced a data breach involving consumers’ confidential information during the 24 months leading up to an announcement in June of a report exploring the matter: the 2008 UK Study on Email Marketing Practices & Privacy. Alarmingly, these same professionals failed nine out of every 10 times to report the news to affected consumers, citing that they "were either not required to, or were unsure whether they had to," according to the Ponemon Institute’s survey of 900 data protection professionals and marketing professionals in the United Kingdom.

The research, commissioned by StrongMail, placed e-mail marketing ahead of not only other Internet marketing methods, but also telemarketing and direct mail outbound marketing channels, in the risks it poses to U.K. consumer data. Additionally, the research revealed, U.K. firms that outsourced their e-mail marketing efforts (60 percent of them, in all) saw a 28 percent increase in data breaches.

"Consumers have already lost control of their actual data to businesses, which have access to it from numerous sources and can use it for numerous purposes," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "But, despite the circumstances, consumers still haven’t lost control of their financial identities. Their information may already be out there, but by employing services such as One You, they can defuse their Social Security numbers’ capacity to help thieves who would otherwise use the digits to commit financial fraud."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Research and News Reports Suggest that Government Often Mishandles Social Security Numbers

August 14th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Aug. 14, 2008 - One You Security) An investigation slated for the September issue of Consumer Reports and announced in early August has suggested that government leaks of information resulted in the loss or exposure of about 44 million consumer records from 2005 to mid-2008. The government’s apparent negligence, evidenced by recent spot examples reported in the news, was worrisome but unsurprising, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. He stressed that Social Security numbers are already exposed to the public, and pointed to One You’s service, which works to render the numbers useless to the thieves who can easily obtain them anyway.

"At the government level, leaks of identifying information useful to thieves occur on a grand scale," said Siciliano. "This is largely because municipal governments continually fail to update their antiquated processes, which results in officials posting Social Security numbers and more online, for all to see. Most consumers recognize that this is incredibly negligent behavior. But they must also accept the fact that it nevertheless happens, and that privacy is not the answer. Why? Privacy is no longer possible. Consumers must now manage their unfortunate circumstances by turning to services that transform their no-longer-private information into something of no use to the thieves who are going to obtain it anyway."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

On Aug. 6, several news reports across the United States surfaced to suggest that Social Security numbers, as well as other identifying consumer information, are subject to questionable handling and practices when in the hands of municipal governments:

  • In Wayne County, Mich., many residents’ "Social Security numbers, salaries, birth dates and other important identifier information have been on the Web since 2000," reported Detroit’s Daily Free Press.
  • The Associated Press reported that recipients of traffic citations in Virginia and the District of Columbia "could find their Social Security numbers posted on a state Web site if that information is on their driver’s license." The online documents display full name, address, gender, height, weight and birth date of the drivers and, if their driver’s licenses have the information, their Social Security numbers, too.
  • In New York State, TheDemocrat and Chronicle reported that the Social Security numbers "of hundreds of Monroe County residents who filed for bankruptcy several years ago are available for viewing on the County Clerk’s Web site." According to the article, the posting online of U.S. Bankruptcy Court documents, which display the information, was regular practice earlier in the decade.

These and other reports were in fact "par for the course," according to Siciliano, who was unsurprised by Consumer Reports data on the matter announced two days earlier. The publication analyzed records of publicly reported data breaches compiled by the nonprofit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and found more than 230 security lapses by federal, state, and local government from 2005 through mid-June 2008 resulting in the loss or exposure of at least 44 million consumer records containing Social Security or driver’s license numbers and other personal data, according to the press announcement.

"These numbers are staggering," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "Consumers put a lot of trust in institutions such as government and business, and it must be tough for them to fathom the circumstances. For consumers to try to keep their Social Security numbers private is an admirable but lost cause. Every one of these Social Security numbers is there for the thief’s taking. The only solution is to transform those digits, already exposed to the public, into something of no use to criminals who would otherwise use the information to commit financial fraud."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Research Shows Consumers Misplacing Blame for Identity Theft

August 10th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Aug. 7, 2008 - One You Security) A large majority of U.S. consumers think personal irresponsibility is the main cause of identity theft, reported ePaymentsnews Network in July. But the finding, from Javelin Strategy & Research, really indicates that consumers without access to fraud prevention services are unaware of how little control they in fact have over their own information, said Robert Siciliano, the widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. Citing additional research, Siciliano suggested that firms stand much to gain by offering data breach victims an effective fraud prevention service, which One You Security provides.

"Consumers misunderstand the issue of identity theft and what causes it," said Siciliano. "No matter how careful consumers are with it, their information is already out there for any thief who wants it. The most responsible thing for them to do is to enroll in a service such as One You’s, which renders their Social Security numbers useless to the thieves who otherwise would use the digits to commit financial fraud. In fact, an institution itself can generate a great deal of good will among its customers by offering One You’s fraud prevention to them."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

According to a recent news item in ePaymentsnews Network, a survey by Javelin Strategy & Research found 88 percent of U.S. consumers pointing to personal irresponsibility as the main cause of identity theft. Another study, released by Javelin in June, looked at the perceptions of consumers whose data had fallen prey to security breaches. Fifty-five percent of these consumers expressed diminished confidence in the breached organization’s ability to protect and manage their personal data, according to Javelin’s news release, which went on to note that 56 percent of these consumers favor a solution that prevents fraud. Furthermore, 55 percent of breach victims who were offered a fraud protection solution were more satisfied with the institution’s handling of the incident than were those consumers who were not offered anything.

"How can consumers expect to be personally responsible when a company loses to theft the Social Security numbers they were required to provide in the first place?" asked Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "Consumers deserve, and soon will demand, the ability to be personally responsible with their data. This comes with fraud prevention services, which smart firms will offer. One You’s solution is a perfect example — an easy-to-use service that renders the consumer’s Social Security number functionally useless to the thief who would otherwise use the information to commit financial fraud at the consumer’s expense."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS: Proliferation of Laptop Theft at Airports Echoes Last Year’s Rise in the Crime

August 10th, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - Aug. 8, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) More than 15,000 laptop computers go missing every week from airports in Europe, according to new research, which added credence to another study that showed a 6 percent year-over-year increase in laptop theft in 2007. Widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano encouraged business travelers and the companies that employ them to consider services from MyLaptopGPS, a laptop tracking and data recovery firm mentioned in the August 2008 issue of Inc. Magazine.

"The pace of laptop theft may be mind-blowing to the casual observer," said Siciliano. "But for those who follow these events, the numbers are anything but surprising. Business travelers and the organizations that employ them must look at laptop security as a requirement, not simply a ‘nice-to-have.’ Luckily, laptop security from MyLaptopGPS is affordable, which helps to precipitate the necessary changes in attitude."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

According to research from The Ponemon Institute, every week approximately 3,300 laptop computers go missing, many of them to thieves, from Europe’s eight largest airports. About 900 of these incidents occur at London’s Heathrow Airport, alone, the joint study with Dell found.

Last year, the CSI Survey 2007 revealed that, compared to 2006, the rate of theft of laptop computers and mobile devices increased from 47 percent to 50 percent last year. This translated to a 6 percent increase over the previous year’s amount, which was "all the more believable in light of the sheer volume of missing laptops at European airports," Siciliano noted.

"Research study after research study shows that laptop computer theft is a pervasive occurrence whose aftermath is extremely expensive for any organization," said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who invited readers to visit the MyLaptopGPS blog. "MyLaptopGPS’ solution to laptop security, in contrast, is an affordable and simple-to-use alternative that can reverse the trend. Whereas the average laptop theft rate is more than twelve percent, the average theft rate for a laptop equipped with MyLaptopGPS is less than half a percent."

At its website, MyLaptopGPS maintains a log of high-profile laptop thefts. Additionally, the company’s site displays the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI™), a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses. The REDI also assesses those losses’ associated costs by drawing on estimates from the FBI and other sources that reflect the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur whenever a computer is misplaced or stolen.

Anti-laptop theft technology such as MyLaptopGPS’ combines Internet-based GPS tracking — more effective than other forms of GPS for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. A user launches MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

"Our laptop fleet was certainly worth protecting," said Jim Sullivan, the network, systems and security administrator for FastForms, Inc. "We have procedures in place to help secure the machines, but we realized that we needed some key additional layers of security, such as covert tracking and remote-controlled data recovery and destruction. MyLaptopGPS’ solution is very easy to use, and we are quite satisfied. We would recommend MyLaptopGPS to any business seeking a simple solution to secure their laptops and data."

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cell phones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he discussed this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provided consumers affected by the theft with the tips they needed to avoid paying for fraudulent charges to their bank accounts and credit accounts. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.


###

About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has 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 serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. 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 for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, 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 "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

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

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

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://www.brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS: Securing Laptop Computers Helps to Protect College Students from Identity Theft

August 10th, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - Aug. 4, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Laptop thefts at college campuses across the U.S. have affected untold numbers of college students, who are prime targets for identity thieves, research has shown. According to widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano, those who want a simple, effective way to retrieve and protect their lost or stolen laptop computers and the data stored on them should look to MyLaptopGPS, a laptop tracking and data recovery firm mentioned in the August 2008 issue of Inc. Magazine.

"Smart universities and individual college students alike will consider these numbers and decide to protect themselves by installing better security on their laptop computers," said Siciliano. "MyLaptopGPS at once provides one of the simplest and most effective options out there: Internet-based GPS tracking of stolen mobile devices and the simultaneous ability for subscribers to remotely retrieve and delete identity-revealing files from missing machines."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission reported that 32 percent of the complaints it received in 2007 (the highest amount) were related to identity theft. Of these identity theft-related incidents, the FTC found that nearly a third targeted those in the 18-29 year old age bracket, noted a July 28th news release from the Identity Theft Resource Center.

In a July 4th report, The Chronicle of Higher Education drew the intuitive link between laptop thefts from U.S. college campuses and the problem of identity theft. Furthermore, thefts of laptops at universities have continued at a breakneck clip. Typically, the stolen mobile device is never recovered. The exception to the rule was a story that TheAssociated Press ran on July 22: the return, apparently by the thief, of a stolen laptop computer belonging to an Indiana State University professor that "contained personal information on more than 2,500 current and former Indiana State students, including names, grades, e-mail addresses and some Social Security numbers," reported to the AP.

"Rarely is a stolen laptop computer found by the owner, let alone returned by the thief," said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who directed readers to a log of high-profile laptop thefts that the company records at its website. "For individuals, the typical consequences of laptop theft are not only the permanent loss of a machine, but also the ever-present specter of identity theft. For organizations, the loss of the machine itself is the least of their worries; the costs associated with full disclosure of the event to those possibly affected and the threat of reparative litigation are potentially crippling."

Along with a log of high-profile thefts, MyLaptopGPS‘ website keeps a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses. The Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI) also assesses those losses’ associated costs by drawing on estimates from the FBI and other sources that reflect the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur whenever a computer is misplaced or stolen.

Anti-laptop theft technology such as MyLaptopGPS’ combines Internet-based GPS tracking — more effective than other forms of GPS for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. A user launches MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

"I am investing a fortune in my daughter’s college education," said Stanley Konopka, who selected MyLaptopGPS to help protect his college-bound daughter. "It makes perfect sense to spend a few dollars to protect and secure the most critical tool she has in earning her degree: her laptop."

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cell phones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he discussed this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provided consumers affected by the theft with the tips they needed to avoid paying for fraudulent charges to their bank accounts and credit accounts. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.


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About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has 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 serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. 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 for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, 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 "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

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

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

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://www.brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Research Reveals That Usability of Social Security Numbers Enables Mortgage Fraudsters

July 30th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - July 30, 2008 - One You Security) The results of a research investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently revealed an apparent, significant upward trend in the incidence of mortgage fraud. Furthermore, homeowners who have Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) are prime targets for financial fraud, suggested a related statement from the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC). The best way to combat the threat is to transform Social Security numbers into something useless to thieves, who use these universal identifiers to obtain financial identities, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC.

"Social Security numbers’ de facto role as universal identifiers has fueled a massive increase in financial fraud—simply because these numbers allow criminals to assume others’ identities," said Siciliano. "Given the scope of financial fraud, which costs billions of dollars every year, consumers need a way to deprive thieves of the ability to gain access to someone else’s finances. They must implement measures that render those Social Security numbers useless to thieves."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

Released in April of 2008, the FBI’s 2007 Mortgage Fraud Report found that "Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from financial institutions indicated an increase in mortgage fraud reporting" in 2007. The year-over-year increase in SARs was 31 percent, according to the report, which went on to note that there is no central repository for mortgage fraud complaints in the U.S. Additionally, the report revealed that the total dollar impact of mortgage fraud is unknown, but that the losses associated with just 7 percent of SARs in 2007 was $813 million.

A July 8th news release from ITAC noted the FBI report’s attention to an emerging, related crime: home equity credit fraud. Consumers with HELOCs should regularly check them for suspicious activity and unaccountable discrepancies in balances, according to ITAC, whose announcement was reported in The New York Times on July 27.

"How do thieves obtain credit?" asked Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "They do so by assuming the identity of another person, and it’s largely the utility of Social Security numbers that allows them to do so. Financial fraud related to identity theft is in fact dependent on this, but the effect of One You’s service functionally strips Social Security numbers of this utility, leaving criminals with nothing but a bunch of nine-digit numbers that no longer give them access to would-be victims’ financial identities."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Year-Over-Year Spike in Data Breaches Will Prompt Consumers to Protect Their Own Financial Identities

July 23rd, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - July 23, 2008 - One You Security) The first half of 2008 saw a more than two-thirds year-over-year increase in the number of data breaches, revealed research reported last week. More than ever, consumers need a way to protect themselves as more of their Social Security numbers seem to go missing with every new breach of data, according to Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. The key, he said, is One You Security’s service, which helps to render these universal identifiers useless to the thieves who would otherwise use them to steal consumers’ financial identities.

"Smart consumers notice the data breaches," said Siciliano. "They also realize that every security breach runs the risk of leaking data likely to include Social Security numbers, maybe even theirs. And until the infrastructure in place for identifying people fundamentally changes, these smart consumers will clamor for ways to protect their financial identities themselves. With its capacity to strip thieves of the ability to use Social Security numbers as a way to obtain financial identities, One You’s service provides the very solution these consumers seek."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest data on breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

Between Jan. 1 and June 27 of 2008, the number of data breaches recorded by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) was 342, the nonprofit organization reported in a June 27th statement, which noted that this was more than 69 percent greater than the same time period in 2007.

Spikes in the business sector fueled the overall increase despite significant decreases in others, revealed the ITRC’s data, which also provided numbers for 2006. Whereas the ITRC found that data breaches were down since 2006 in the educational sector by 24 percent and in the government and military sector by 43 percent, data breaches jumped over the past two years by 75 percent in the business sector. Furthermore, since 2006 the number of data breaches has increased in the health and medical sector by 15 percent and in the banking, financial and credit sector by 25 percent.

"Given the entire identification system’s reliance on Social Security numbers," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security, "the most practical approach by far is to make those digits functionally useless to the thieves who obtain them. For a long time, the frequency of data breaches has left consumers in need of a quickly implementable solution that allows them to protect their financial identities. As much as a seventy-five percent increase in the number of data breaches over the past couple years only intensifies that need, which One You meets."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on "FOX Newschannel,” where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

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

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

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Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS: Research and the Latest News Reports Underscore the Frequency of Laptop Theft and Loss

July 23rd, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - July 23, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Up to 12,000 laptop computers go missing every week at U.S. airports, research released in late June indicated, and the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) this week announced that it lost about one laptop computer every two days over the past four years. Laptop theft and loss is bound to occur, said widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano, who encouraged those seeking a simple, effective solution to the dilemma to consider the services and technology of MyLaptopGPS, a laptop tracking and data recovery firm.

"Laptop tracking and data recovery are not as complicated or expensive as they sound," said Siciliano. "In fact, the amount of money it takes to secure mobile computing devices of all kinds against thieves and carelessness is inconsequential compared to the potentially monumental cost of even one laptop theft or loss. Recovery of the hardware is just one part of the equation, after all, and perhaps the least important; lawsuits and the cost of informing all those whose data may have resided on the machine can add up to a catastrophic financial hit. And it’s all avoidable."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

Nearly 640,000 laptop computers go missing at U.S. airports every year, revealed a report released on June 30 by the Ponemon Institute. Sponsored by Dell, the research explored travelers’ attention to the security of their laptop computers and the data stored on them. For instance, a full 65 percent of business travelers "do not take steps to protect the confidential or sensitive information contained on [their] laptop when traveling on business," according to the report, which went on to note that nearly half (47 percent) of these mobile machines store client, customer or consumer data.

In yet more worrisome news regarding the frequency of laptop computer theft and loss, Information World Review and others reported on July 21 that the MoD lost the equivalent of one laptop computer every two days over the past four years. Also lost were 121 USB memory sticks belonging to MoD, with a number of these containing information coded as "secret" or "restricted," Information World Review reported.

"Clearly, the theft or other loss of laptops occurs far more often than owners of them tend to believe," said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who directed readers to a log of high-profile laptop thefts that the company records at its website. "And this fact makes the laptop thief’s job easy, for the sentiment that laptop theft can’t happen to them lulls owners of mobile computing devices into leaving their machines unsecured. A slight yet significant shift in thinking is necessary for organizations and individuals that rely on laptop computers to recognize the great importance of securing them against loss and theft."

Along with a log of high-profile thefts, MyLaptopGPS‘ website keeps a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses. The Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI) also assesses those losses’ associated costs by drawing on estimates from the FBI and other sources that reflect the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur whenever a computer is misplaced or stolen.

Anti-laptop theft technology such as MyLaptopGPS’ combines Internet-based GPS tracking — more effective than other forms of GPS for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. Users launch MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

"Our laptop fleet was certainly worth protecting," said Jim Sullivan, the network, systems and security administrator for FastForms, Inc. "We have procedures in place to help secure the machines, but we realized that we needed some key additional layers of security, such as covert tracking and remote-controlled data recovery and destruction. MyLaptopGPS’ solution is very easy to use, and we are quite satisfied. We would recommend MyLaptopGPS to any business seeking a simple solution to secure their laptops and data."

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cell phones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on "FOX Newschannel," where he discussed this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provided consumers affected by the theft with the tips they need