Spy Review

Having a laptop stolen can expose vital information that can be used and manipulated by crooks. Despite recent high profile cases of stolen laptops, people continue to lose them either as a result of being stolen or through carelessness on the part of the owner.

Although passwords are installed on operating systems, networks and other important applications, these can be hacked by the more determined thieves. Encryption has been the main way to combat data theft till now, a new system of protecting laptops uses slightly different methods, however.

A security system called Backstopp, aims to protect laptop data theft where previous measures may have failed.

The idea behind this system is simple. The laptop will self-destruct in the event it is stolen. This may sound something out of a Bond movie. Athough the laptop does not actually explode into smithereens, the data merely vanishes (deleted) so there is no way it can be accessed.

The owner can designate an area as a safe-zone beyond which it will be considered stolen and any specified data will be deleted, or the system can be alerted at the behest of the owner as soon as they realise the laptop has gone missing.

They have at their disposal various ways to alert the system, as the system utilizes various methods to track the laptop such as wireless technology as well as GSM mobile technology.

One thing to bear in mind is that the system promises to delete the data permanently and data cannot be retrieved even if the laptop eventually finds its way back to the owner, therefore, it is highly important the data is also stored somewhere else.

The system not only promises to safeguard important data, but can also devise information as to who the culprit maybe by determining location of the laptop and possibly even a photo if the laptop is equipped with a camera.

Time will tell how successful this new system of securing a laptop is, but the knowledge that it uses US defence standards should suggest security is the utmost priority.

Unfortunately the service is not a one-off payment as it requires subscription for monthly payments of around £10 here in the UK.