Archive for the 'Laptop Security' Category

Intel has announced the 2010 Intel Core vPro technology for business-class laptop and desktop PCs.

Desinged to “keep downtime and desk-side visits to a minimum,” the new vPro version features improved remote manageability, security, and anti-theft functionalities. It comes with the Core i5 and i7 processors with TurboBoost and Hyper-Threading technologies, the Intel QM57 and QS57 chipsets for notebooks, and new Centrino WiFi and WiMAX wireless adapters.

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Asustek has released details of the ASUS P80 business laptop, featuring a 14-inch display and Intel’s new Anti-Theft technology.

The ASUS P80 comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo or Pentium CPU, up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, up to 320GB of hard drive space, and a DVD burner. The P80A and P80Q models include the Intel GMA X4500MHD (with HD decoder) and X4500M integrated graphics respectively, whereas the P80Vc has the NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 512MB dedicated GPU.

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Yoggie Security Systems today launched the Gatekeeper Pico for Mac and Gatekeeper Card Pro for Mac, the “world’s first miniature hardware internet security devices for MacBooks and Mac desktop computers”.

The devices provide 12 internet security applications on a dedicated hardware. Security functions in the Gatekeeper for Mac products include integrated stateful inspection firewall, Snort intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems, Sourcefire VRT certified Snort rules, Kaspersky anti-virus and anti-spyware, Mailshell anti-spam and anti-phishing, SurfControl Web content filtering, adaptive security policy, multi-layer security agent, Layer-8 security engine, and VPN client (Card version only).

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Phoenix Technologies today announced it is working with Fujitsu to enable remote disk control and disk data protection for laptops equipped with Fujitsu’s new full disk encryption (FDE) 2.5″ 7,200rpm SATA hard disk drives.

With Phoenix FailSafe technology, the notebook owner can remotely disable the Fujitsu FDE drive in the laptop, thus ensuring “failsafe” protection against data theft and personal information loss, Phoenix says.

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Intel Corp. and its partners are working on security technology for notebooks called Anti-Theft Technology (ATT), the chip maker announced this week.

“Intel Anti-Theft technology is set to become available in laptops towards the end of 2008. According to the company, the technology will be able to disable system from working, disable data access and protect hard disk drive (by encrypting all the data),” X-Bit Labs reports.

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Sprint and Alcatel-Lucent have announced the SprintSecure Laptop Guardian service for corporate users, which enables 24/7 notebook computer security through remote monitoring, location, and locking if a laptop is lost or stolen.

The solution utilizes a unique Mobile Broadband connection PCMCIA card that serves as a two-factor authentication device.

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Sophos’ security experts have disclosed details of a worm called LiarVB-A that copies itself onto removable drives, such as USB Flash memory and optical devices, and also spreads itself via network shares.

The worm is not designed to generate income, contrary to the most of the malware. Instead, LiarVB-A attempts to spread information about Aids and HIV reportedly.

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Yoggie Security Systems today announced Yoggie Pico, a miniature computer contained in a USB stick, aimed to provide Internet security protection for notebook and desktop PC users.

“For the first time users can access 13 security applications on a miniature computer contained in a USB stick. Uniquely, the Yoggie Pico, a full and robust Linux based computer, offloads all security applications onto the USB stick allowing Internet traffic to be screened before it executes on the laptop or PC and only once it has been cleansed is it allowed to enter the computer,” the press release says.

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Dell Inc. is now offering the Computrace LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection service to its notebook PC buyers.

Absolute Software, the maker of LoJack for Laptops, explains that LoJack software installed on your computer works behind the scenes to silently and securely contact its Monitoring Center, and if the laptop is stolen, reports its location using any Internet connection. The Recovery Team then tracks your computer’s location and partners with local law enforcement to get your computer back.

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BitForensics has announced “the world’s first laptop hardware keylogger. The “KeyCarbon Raptor” card records all typing on a laptop keyboard, plugs into the Mini-PCI slot of a laptop computer, and stores captured keystrokes on the onboard 256MB MicroSD card.

KeyCarbon Raptor keylogger can be used for eliminating fraud, as well as a data backup against theft or system failure. In addition the card is used to create an audit trail in banks, stock trading floors, accountancy firms and corporations. The card is also used as an investigative tool by government agencies worldwide, BitForensics says.

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Dell and Absolute Software have teamed to provide laptop PC theft recovery services for Dell’s U.S. consumer customers, the PC maker announced.

The move makes Dell the first PC manufacturer to deliver a higher degree of peace of mind by combining theft recovery measures with accidental damage protection, the press release says.

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Intel released a security update for its Intel 2200BG and 2915AVG Pro/Wireless Network Connection Hardware device drivers and PROSet management software on laptops to help protect against serious security vulnerabilities. An attacker, within range of the Wi-Fi station, can exploit these vulnerabilities to lead to remote code execution and system control, Laptop Logic published.

Intel published that these flaws are due to a memory corruption while parsing certain frames.

Affected products include: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG with all prior driver versions to 10.5 and Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG with all previous 10.5 driver versions as well. Application versions affected include 8, 9, and 10.

The story: News: Intel Security Update for Centrino Wireless - LaptopLogic.com

Download the Intel’s security update here.

Data loss prevention company Sun Star announced that it has make available a team of specialists to address the concerns around backing up data for laptops. “The announcement of Wells Fargo’s loss of client data following the disappearance of a laptop on a cargo plane has many businesses concerned about safety”, Sun Star published.

“I wasn’t entirely surprised by the story. It’s amazing how many companies don’t have solid processes for backing up critical data. We have all become accustomed to the fact that data will just be there when we need it and when it’s not, the implications to the business and customers can be serious,” says Sun Star Marketing Director, Gavin Rosenberg.

Rosenberg states that many companies, especially those without IT departments, are confused about what type of equipment to purchase and often put off implementing a backup strategy until it’s too late. “Once implemented,” he says “a good solution will automatically backup the data without much need for maintenance.”

Laptops require remote network backup solutions and may require a different solution than companies that have all of their computers on one local network. There are countless possible ways in which a backup system can be implemented for different types of businesses, Sun Star published.

On May 5th, the financial services firm Wells Fargo reported that a laptop containing data on customers from its mortgage division “[had] been reported as missing and may be stolen.” The computer contained information on current and prospective Wells Fargo customers, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The company claims that the data on the computer was under “two layers of protection,” and that the theft was for the hardware, not the data.

The increasing incorporation of technology into daily life has spawned hands-free cell phone devices, hand-held and laptop computers and, more recently, wireless networks in such public places as restaurants.

For many, it’s a matter of convenience. A business person may check investments online during lunch, while a college student surfs the Web while making a stop for coffee.

While these “wireless hotspots” offer their customers convenience, they also pose a potential security threat to their users, according to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Madigan recently urged Illinois consumers to be cautious when using wireless, or “Wi-Fi” networks offered in public places to avoid attacks that can mimic the characteristics of the legitimate wireless network.

“When you turn on a computer, you have options as to what network you want to connect.
You may see a choice for coffee shop Internet connection, the legitimate one, or one that says free connection,” said Gail O’Connor, deputy press secretary for the attorney general’s office.

“Of course the consumer thinks, ‘Oh, I should get the free one,’ but it’s not the legitimate” one.

When a wireless computer is turned on in a public place offering a wireless Internet connection, the computer sends out a signal that has to be received by a wireless network, O’Connor said.

Caution advised for Wi-Fi users

Tugboat Enterprises Ltd has launched its latest product Nauticus to protect laptop owners in case of theft of laptop computers and notebooks. The launch comes hot on the heels of a report released January 27 by security giant Symantec that the average business computer holds information worth about $1 million, that most corporate executives do not have a proper back up system in place, and that about 50 percent of companies experienced theft of a laptop or mobile data device in 2005 alone. www.tugboatenterprises.com/Nauticus/index.asp

“While it’s true that our off-site data storage product Nauticus can and is sold to desktop and network users,” said Tugboat CEO Judi Tyabji Wilson, “we have discovered through the sale of our successful data rescue program Lifeboat that laptops users are the most vulnerable to loss of data.”

Nauticus is an affordable automated on-line, off-site back up system that stores user data in secure facilities with built-in redundancy. At about $10 per month for the average user, its price and ease of use make it a prime choice for computer users who want to safeguard important information, whether email info, photographs, documents, or spreadsheets. The privacy laws of Canada provide excellent protection of corporate documents in this off-site storage system.

Market research conducted by Tugboat Enterprises is consistent with Symantec’s results, and Tugboat believes Nauticus will be particularly popular amongst large global businesses and government agencies. “These are the two groups with the most to lose when data is stolen, or lost due to software malfunction.” Tyabji Wilson added. “It is unfortunate that so many CEOs and government department heads don’t insist that proper off-site backup is done and data recovery software is available. Some take the attitude that it won’t happen to me, and when it does they have little or no recourse.”

Press Release - Nauticus Protects Laptop User Data, Provides Data Security