Toshiba to Offer Theft Protection Software for all Laptops Sold in Canada

Do you ever worry about your laptop being stolen? Just think about all the important work you might lose and of course the monetary value of the notebook. Toshiba of Canada is going to start bundling software with notebooks sold in that country that allows tracking of stolen notebooks. If they don't find your computer within 30-days of the theft, you get $1000 to help buy a new laptop!

The software that will be bundled with Toshiba notebooks is called Laptop Retriever (www.laptopretriever.com). This software is made by a company named Absolute. Absolute's Laptop Retriever service works through a small, patented software agent that is installed on the user's PC. The software agent regularly communicates its location back to a centralized server in stealth mode. If the PC is stolen, Absolute's Recovery Team works with local law enforcement agencies to secure the return of the PC. Absolute's confidence in its ability to recover stolen PC's installed with Laptop Retriever is demonstrated by its recovery guarantee whereby Absolute will pay up to $1000.00 for a PC not recovered within 30 days of being reported stolen to Absolute.

Overthe next 12 months, every newly released Toshiba notebook computer shipped in Canada will include an Absolute Laptop Retriever icon on the desktop that will provide details about the product and enable consumers to purchase and install three years of laptop protection for $119.95.

"Absolute's Laptop Retriever service is a great way of ensuring that our customers have added confidence in their Toshiba notebook computer, particularly for those that are frequently on the move", said Trevor Dantas, Vice President of Technical Services, Toshiba ISG. "Toshiba notebook computers are known for their reliability and customer satisfaction. Laptop Retriever represents a compelling and complementary service for our customers to protect their assets and information."

Some people might be wary about the fact that by installing this software, Absolute can actually track your laptop even if it is not stolen. The software does in fact report its location once a day to the servers at Absolute, even if it is not stolen. Absolute guarantees this information will only be used for recovery purposes if a laptop is indeed reported as stolen and all information they store is secured and non-accessible to the outside world.

If you doreport a laptop as being stolen, the Recovery Team can force your notebook to broadcast its location every 15 minutes. The catch is, the notebook has to be hooked to the internet for it to broadcast where it is and for the Recovery Team to try and determine the location, if your stolen laptop never gets connectet to the net then there's no chance of this software working. Location is determined based on the IP address and any telephone number the laptopuses to dial into an internet service provider. Policecan subpoena internet service providers to give them physical location for internet ip addresses they issue. If you don't buy a Toshiba laptop in Canada but are still interested in this software, read more about it from the LaptopRetriever.com brochure:

http://www.laptopretriever.com/Laptop_Retriever_Brochure.pdf

 

that's an interesting program

but consdiering its only $1000 and that person may never plug it into the internet or change the HD... its well overpriced.
amybe for $50 or so

 

Thanks abaxter,
Very interesting, but I'm not sure I'd like big brother being able to find out where I've been or where my laptop is at pretty much anytime. They say they keep it private, but in todays age the FBI does not need a warrant to do anything they like or get any info they want. Did you read all the hoops you have to jump through to get the $1000 if they don't find your PC? Miss just one and you won't get a penny. The amount goes down as time goes by, after the 1st year it goes down to 80% or $800, 2nd year 60% or $600, 3rd year %40 or $400. The big loophole for them to get out of paying you is number 11. it says if the theft was made possible or materially easier by the customer's lack of exercise due care or attention the customer is not entitled any amount. It then gives a bunch of examples like leaving it in an unlocked car, leaving the laptop in a public place without it being locked down with a cable and several others. I think that loophole pretty much makes them safe from having to pay most any claim. I'm not bashing them, I think it could be a good deal if Toshiba gives it away for free with the purchase, but I don't think it would be something to spend your money on.

Jack

 

I hear you guys, I'm not so sure it's worth $119 either and you are essentially paying for a spyware program to run on your PC, but it's certainly not malicious and is intended to help you. I'd like to see the amount covered be at least $1500 and have loopholes eliminated. All the same, interesting program. I think they need some competition in this software arena for the deal to be better for consumers, I don't know of any other software company that does this kind of thing.

all in all, it's still at least an interesting concept.

 

with that condition this thing is a total scam them LOL
i mean its your fault you didn't put it in a 1000kg titanium safe that is hidden behind a 10 kg concrete wall...
most peopel lose laptops by accident, not sophisticated mission impossible stuff...

not sure if i should buy into the company and hope idiots buy it or short the company cuz it'll fail miserably

on insurance for a fraction will replace the entire value.. not ohh you lost a $3000 laptop? well year 3 you get $600.. that's bull.