Two Laptop Thefts Reported On Same Day Left As Many As 328,000 Unique Data Records In Jeopardy

BOSTON, Mass - Dec 18, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com--On Dec. 7th,news reports indicated that just two laptop computer thefts had placed as many as328,000 unique data records in jeopardy of falling into the hands of identitythieves. According to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personalsecurity and identity theft expert, laptop thefts are bound to occur, butaffordable, robust solutions such as MyLaptopGPS 's are available that coupleInternet-based GPS tracking with remote delete-and-retrieve technology to protectlost machines and the data they hold.

"It's a large number," said Siciliano, "but, no matter the number, thefts like thesewould never make the news if stolen mobile equipment and the data housed on themwere properly secured. Plenty of robust, affordable solutions exist, and smartorganizations see the need for exhaustive laptop computer security."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report'seditorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients inworkshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtimeidentity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed datasecurity and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC's "Today Show," FOX News, andelsewhere.

Dec. 7th saw reports of two laptop thefts that together placed 328,000 data recordsin harm's way:

The Guardian Unlimited reported the theft of a laptop belonging to the Belfast,U.K.-based bank Citizens Advice, a loss that included the "personal details of up to60,000 people," according to the article.

InfoWorld reported the theft of a laptop belonging to Memorial Blood Centers.According to the article, sensitive information on 268,000 Minnesota-based blooddonors is housed in the missing machine.

Siciliano pointed organizations that need an affordable, simple solution for laptopsecurity may turn to MyLaptopGPS :

http://www.myl aptopgps.com/

"Cleary, organizations of all kinds are apt to store highly confidential, sensitivedata on mobile computers," said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS."The trick is to make sure that information, as well as the machine, is secure.MyLaptopGPS not only tracks the whereabouts of a lost laptop computer, but alsoallows an owner to control the fate of data on the machine even as it's still inthieves' hands."

MyLaptopGPS combines Internet-based GPS tracking -- which, for tracking andretrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS -- with otherfunctionalities 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 returningthe data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

MyLaptopGPS also offers SafeRegistry , a comprehensive system for inventoryingentire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renownedSafeTags , which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cellphones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

A downloadable demo of MyLaptopGPS is available:

http://www.mylapto pgps.com/demo

The October 2007 issue of Bank Fraud & IT Security Report, a newsletter publishedonly in hard copy, ran "The Seven Layers of Laptop Security," an article bySiciliano and Yost. A white paper adaptation of that article is available fromMyLaptopGPS:

http://myla ptopgps.com/whitepaper_sls.php

Readers may view YouTube video of "NBC 7 Chicago" footage featuring Yost deliveringcomments for a televised news report that covered the April 2007 theft of twolaptops that stored 40,000 Chicago Public School teachers' Social Security numbers:

http://www.youtube.c om/profile?user=MylaptopGPSdot com

According to USA Today, theft of personal data has more than tripled this year.Readers may view video of Siciliano discussing this news on the new "FOX Business"network:

http://ww w.youtube.com/watch?v=SFA0UcpE ffU

To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who's lost a laptopcomputer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug:

http://www.videojug .com/interview/identity-theft- computers-and-laptops

About MyLaptopGPSSince 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete systemintegration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renownedmid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been servingleading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. WithMyLaptopGPS , Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge andservice that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS 's rock-solid performance, security, andreliability flow directly from the company's commitment to top-notch softwareproducts and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.comIdentity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com andmember of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report's editorial board, makes it hismission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminarsnationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOXNews," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "SallyJesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." The Privacy LearningInstitute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, andwire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personalsecurity and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman'sDay, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times,Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International,Reuters, and others.Press release distribution by PressReleasePoint(http://www.p ressreleasepoint.com/)

For more information, visit Siciliano's Web site (http://www.idtheftsecurity.co m/),blog (http://www.realtysecurity.com /blog), and YouTube page(http://www.youtube.com/s tungundotcom).

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

John DunivanMyLaptopGPS Media RelationsPHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)jd@MyLaptopGPS.comhttp: //www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security ExpertCEO of IDTheftSecurity.comBOSTON, MassPHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)Robert@IDTheftSecur ity.comhttp://www.idtheftsecu rity.com

Contact:

Brent SkinnerPresident & CEOSTETrevisionsBOSTON, Mass, UK617-875-4859BrentSkinner@S TETrevisions.bizhttp://www.ST ETrevisions.biz

Source: Express-Press-Release.com

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