Data loss and laptop theft more prevalent as number of cases reported increases

Leading laptop tracking and recovery firm Absolute Software offers advice on how to avoid becoming the next data loss headline

Newbury, 25th June 2008 - How many laptops and files containing sensitive data will go missing this week? When a laptop is stolen, the data stored on it can very easily fall into the wrong hands, exposing sensitive information such as customer details.

While the cost of laptops has decreased, the value of the data stored on them has become increasingly valuable due to the rising number of mobile workers. The average laptop contains data and files valued at more than £550,000, and as much as £5 million pounds for those containing particularly sensitive information.* So it is both logical and responsible to ensure that this data is protected.

Absolute Software, the leading provider of patented computer theft recovery, data protection and Secure Asset Tracking™ solution, ComputraceOne®, can delete data and confidential files on stolen laptops remotely and recovers thousands of missing devices across the globe annually. Its customers include the Swiss Football Association, De Beers, and numerous financial institutions and government departments.

The company has tracked and recovered laptops to locations including Argentina, India and Saudi Arabia. It also has remotely deleted hundreds of thousands of documents contained on stolen computers, sparing companies the hefty fines that unprotected organisations have incurred.

Absolute offers some advice on how to avoid becoming the next data loss headline:
1. Visual deterrents - A laptop in the office environment should be secured with a lock or put into a secure locker when not in use. An opportunistic burglar could be put off by a lock as they have only a small window of time to get out before they are discovered.
2. Don't make it obvious you are carrying a laptop - Rather that a tell-tale laptop bag, laptops should be carried in inconspicuous bags, such as backpacks or tote bags.
3. Avoid leaving laptops unattended - Lock them in cupboards or other secure facilities when not being used. If they must be left in a car, they should be covered up or locked in the boot.
4. Discourage theft by publicising the use of security products such as asset tracking software - If thieves think that they might be caught, they will be less likely to take it in the first place.
5. Add identification to your laptop - For example, adding barcodes or engraving details onto the device will act as a deterrent. Thieves usually steal laptops to immediately sell them on. Obvious identification makes it a less desirable target.
6. When flying, never check your laptop in as luggage - Laptops should be taken onto a plane as hand luggage. Be aware of thieves swapping briefcases coming out of the x-ray machine at security.

For more information on Absolute and its range of Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking™ solutions, please visit:  www.absolute.com/emea

ENDS

* Datamonitor, 2007

For more information, please contact:

Deborah Leah / Fiona Whyatt
Insight Marketing & Communications
dleah@insightmkt.com / fwhyatt@insightmkt.com
+44 (0) 1625 500 800
+44 (0) 7810 834 548

Brenda Robb, Marketing Manager - EMEA
brobb@absolute.com
+44(0) 7825 924 361
EMEA Public Relations

Notes to editors
Absolute Software is the leader in Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking™ solutions. Absolute Software provides organisations and consumers with solutions in the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The Company's ComputraceOne® product works by providing a multi-layered security solution. It enables hardware assets to be automatically tracked and better managed for business, education and government and if the computer is stolen, Absolute works with local police to track and recover it. Even if the thief tries to wipe the system, this application self heals and allows the tracking process to continue.

The ComputraceOne application is loaded on the hard drive of a computer while support for the ComputraceOne agent is embedded in the BIOS or firmware. If the hard drive is reformatted or replaced, the ComputraceOne agent support in the BIOS rebuilds the necessary application files on the hard drive as required by the customer.

The ComputraceOne Technology Platform is the client/server architecture that delivers the Absolute Software Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking™ services. Thanks to the hands-free communication (over IP or PSTN) between the secure, patented ComputraceOne agent client and the Monitoring Centre server, the security services from Absolute are exceptionally easy to manage on all computers across the enterprise.

Major computer manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Fujitsu, MPC, Panasonic and Motion Computing have embedded the ComputraceOne Agent in the BIOS or firmware of their computers, to prevent ComputraceOne from being removed by unauthorised users.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected performance of our services and products, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized.

©2008 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace and Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. Computrace U.S. patents No. 5,715,174, No. 5,764,892, No. 5,802,280, No. 5,896,497, No. 6,244,758, No. 6,269,392, No. 6,300,863, and No. 6,507,914. Canadian patents No. 2,284,806 and No. 2,205,370. U.K. patents No. EP793823 and No. GB2338101. German patent No. 695 125 34.6-08. Australian patent No. 699045. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.