Date: 06/12/2008

Hardware-based anti-theft technology for notebook computers and businesses

Absolute Software, Intel and Lenovo are bringing hardware-based anti-theft and computer-theft deterrence technology for notebook computers to businesses.

Lenovo ThinkPad T400 notebooks are the first one to integrate this feature.
Absolute Computrace and Intel Anti-Theft PC Protection working together provide the PC with intelligent mechanisms that detect potential theft situations and respond according to programmed IT policy. When field upgraded to activate Computrace1 - a leading theft recovery, data deletion and mobile computer IT asset management solution - customers will be able to extend the benefit they receive from Absolute's managed security services, through the new hardware-based Intel Anti-Theft PC Protection.

For example, if a Lenovo ThinkPad T400 notebook has not "checked in" with the Absolute Monitoring Center over the Internet within a specified time, Anti-Theft PC Protection working through Computrace would automatically lock the notebook, rendering it unusable to an unauthorized user. Additionally, an IT administrator can use Computrace and Intel Anti-Theft PC Protection technology to make a device inoperative when it is lost or stolen. The next time that computer "checks in," the computer will be locked. Working alone, Intel Anti-Theft PC Protection can lock a computer if it experiences more than a prescribed number of password attempts, or if it exceeds an internally programmed IT policy for check-in time. The IT department can unlock the computer when it is back in the hands of an authorized user.

This is another technology first with ThinkPad notebooks for Absolute. Computrace was first available in the BIOS of ThinkPad T43 notebooks as early as 2005, enabling Computrace's unique self-healing aspect that ensures it cannot be removed from a computer, even after a reformat or hard drive replacement.

"The notebook lost in the airport or stolen from a car can be devastating and is a common nightmare in the back of every business traveler's mind," said George Thangadurai, director, Strategic Planning, and general manager, Anti-Theft Program, Intel Mobile Platforms Group. "The collaboration with Absolute and Lenovo is aimed at helping solve that problem. The fusion of technologies in the Lenovo ThinkPad T400 notebook establishes a new level of security for today's mobile workforce."