Absolute Software Helps Consumers Prevent Identity Theft During Tax Season and Beyond
Security Best Practices Combined with Laptop and Data Protection
Software Help Keep Social Security Numbers & Tax Information Secure
VANCOUVER, April 13 /PRNewswire/ – Absolute(®) Software Corporation (“Absolute” or the “Company”) (TSX: ABT), the
leading provider of endpoint security and management solutions that
reduce IT costs, prove regulatory compliance, respond to computer
theft, and optimize productivity, today announced best practices for
consumers looking to protect and secure bank account information,
identification numbers, and other sensitive data that is stored on
their laptops, particularly during tax season.
“Tax season provides cyber-criminals with the perfect opportunity to
gain access to the most valuable stolen goods on the market – personal
data, including bank account information and social security numbers,”
said Mark Grace, vice president of consumer business, Absolute
Software. “Through our involvement in laptop theft investigations in 75
countries, we’ve seen countless cases where stolen information was used
to open credit cards, withdraw money from bank accounts, or apply for
loans. Given the type of information needed to file taxes online, there
has never been a better time to make sure that the correct safety
precautions are in place.”
With approximately 70 percent of individuals filing tax returns online
in 2010 according to the IRS, Absolute recommends that consumers adopt
the following security best practices to ensure that personal
information stored on computers is protected well beyond this year’s
April 18(th) tax filing deadline:
-- Protect against phishing attacks - Large companies like Target,
Citi, and countless others impacted by the recent Epsilon
breach have sent emails to consumers, notifying them of their
official policies for collecting personal information.
Government agencies have been impacted by phishing threats as
well. To help educate consumers on the ways that it collects
information from filers, the IRS
lists
current procedures on its website. Becoming familiar with these
policies and being alert to suspicious emails is key to
preventing the disclosure of personal and/or financial
information to malicious sources.
-- Become a fan of document encryption - If confidential
information or personal documentation is stored on a laptop,
such as a PDF of a tax return, document encryption is an
effective security measure. With many advanced tools available
on the market today, consumers can easily protect, control
access to, and track documents that are stored on or sent from
computers.
-- Always use a secure Internet connection- Even after tax returns
are processed, information related to returns is often stored
on the device used to file the paperwork electronically. Taking
that same device to an airport or local coffee shop and
connecting to an open network creates an opportunity for an
experienced hacker to easily gain access to sensitive data.
-- Run virus and/or malware scans often - Not all virus protection
programs come with settings that allow for continuous scanning
and threat removal. Ensuring that anti-virus software is up to
date and system scans are done on a daily basis will help to
identify and mitigate new threats that a system has been
exposed to. It is also beneficial to complete these scans prior
to online banking, shopping or bill-paying.
-- Know where devices are most vulnerable- Despite taking
precautions to protect against hackers and other malicious
sources online, the reality is that laptops (and the data
stored on them) are still vulnerable to physical theft. Based
on LoJack® for Laptops customer reports filed to the Absolute
Theft Recovery Team,
laptops are most likely to be stolen
while at school or home, where they are used most frequently.
Taking proper precautions to protect not only the devices
themselves but the data as well is critical.
Security best practices combined with a complete software solution that
offers remote device protection allows consumers to secure data from
all angles. LoJack for Laptops by Absolute Software gives users the
confidence that their laptops and information are protected should
theft occur. LoJack for Laptops is a software-based theft recovery
service that helps users remotely lock, delete, locate and recover
stolen devices and the data contained within. With the technology in
place, personal information remains protected even when it’s in the
wrong hands, allowing users to avoid costly hardware replacements and
the fear of identity theft.
For last-minute tax e-filers, Absolute is offering H&R Block at Home
Basic Software for free* with the purchase of LoJack for Laptops
Premium. Computer owners interested in taking advantage of this offer
can do so by visiting www.lojackforlaptops.com.
*Limited time offer. Promotion expires on April 15, 2011
How Computrace Technology Works
Computrace® and LoJack for Laptops are powered by the Absolute Software patented
Computrace persistence technology. When embedded in the firmware of
computers from leading computer manufacturers*, Computrace can survive
operating system re-installations, as well as hard-drive reformats,
replacements and re-imaging, helping to ensure that the service is
there when you need it most. Whether a PC or Mac, the software is
virtually undetectable and phones home to the Absolute Monitoring
Center with location and asset information. If a computer is reported
stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team works on behalf of the
customer to gather evidence from the computer to identify the thief’s
location, and then works with local police to get the computer back.
Customers can also remotely delete data to help keep it out of the
hands of unauthorized users – a reliable contingency in case data
protection solutions fail. Computrace or LoJack for Laptops can be
easily activated by customers when they install a license ranging from
1-3 years.
*For a list of computers with firmware-embedded support, visit www.absolute.com/firmware
About Absolute Software
Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in tracking,
managing, and protecting computers and mobile devices. The Company’s
Computrace, Absolute Manage and LoJack for Laptops solutions provide
theft recovery, data protection and computer lifecycle management
capabilities to organizations and consumers. The Company’s software
agent is embedded in the firmware of computers by global leaders,
including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, General Dynamics Itronix, HP,
Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling
partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more
information about Absolute Software, visit www.absolute.com and http://blog.absolute.com.
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, functionality and
availability 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.
©2011 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace and
Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation.
LoJack is a registered trademark of LoJack Corporation, used under
license by Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack Corporation is not
responsible for any content herein. U.S. patents # 5,715,174, #
5,764,892, # 5,802,280, # 5,896,497, # 6,087,937, # 6,244,758,
# 6,269,392, # 6,300,863, # 6,507,914, # 7818557, # 7818803.
Canadian patents # 2.211.735, # 2,284,806 and # 2,205,370. U.K.
patents # EP793823, # GB2298302 and # GB2338101. German patent
# 695 125 34.6-08. Australian patent # 699045. Japanese patent #
JP4067035. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor
disapproved of the information contained in this news release.
SOURCE Absolute Software Corporation