According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the number of laptops stolen in the United States is second only
to automobile theft.
In an effort to curb the number of stolen laptops on the Appalachian
State University campus, the University Police have publicized the
names of three companies that sell software and other services that
aid in the police recovery of stolen laptops.
Some of these companies also offer desktop computer recovery services.
“Due to the number of laptops stolen last year, we are trying
to emphasize that this is an option we have,” said Major Larry
Foster of the University Police.
From August 2001 through May 2002 five laptops were reported stolen
from Appalachian’s campus; three desktop computers were also
reported stolen, said Katie Sargeant of the Police Records Office.
According to Safeware, an agency that insures computers, laptop
theft in the United States increased 53 percent between 2000 and
2001.
The names of the three companies that the police have publicized
are: LapTrak, PC PhoneHome, and Stealth Signal.
All of these companies offer software that tracks the location of
a computer when it logs onto the Internet. The computer’s IP
address, an online identification number, makes this tracking possible.
“If you lose your computer, we can tell you where it is and
help you get it back,” said Corky McClellan division manager
at LapTrak.
Safeguarding a laptop against theft with Laptrak is “not a
guarantee. It is, however, the best chance you have,”said McClellan.
“Basically laptop theft is a growing problem in the U.S. not
to mention the world. One out of 14 laptops are stolen,” said
McClellan.
According to LapTrak’s website, this software system is available
for $12 to $36.50 depending on length of service and the amount
of computers subscribing.
“Essentially PC PhoneHome and Mac PhoneHome software is a theft
protection, tracking and recovery system,” said President of
Brigadoon Software, Terrance Kawles. Brigadoon Software invented
the PC PhoneHome and Mac PhoneHome tracking software.
This software is transparent to the user, said Kawles. In this way
the person who has stolen the laptop does not know this has been
installed onto the computer.
According to the Brigadoon Software website this service is available
for $29.95 per year.
“The whole system [Stealth Signal] includes recovery assistance,”
said Tom Gall, sales manager for computersecurity.com.
The cost of the Stealth Signal is $45 to $112.50 per year depending
on the number of years and computers joining the service, according
to the website.
“If they [the students] lose their laptop they have about a
75 percent chance of getting it back,” said Goll.
Goll stressed, however that using a theft deterrent is the best
way to secure a laptop. A laptop cable is one of the most common
deterrents used today, said Goll.
“What we would like to do is make students, especially freshmen,
report crime and to be cautious about leaving valuable articles
in cars,” said Foster, also adding that students should always
lock their residence hall rooms when they leave.
“Overall be very conscientious about crime, it can happen here,”
said Foster.
Foster also stressed that the department has engravers. This engraving
service is titled Operation I.D.
“This service allows the campus community to check out electric
engravers at no charge,” according to the 2002-2003 Appalachian
Police Services manual.
Students can engrave either their driver’s license numbers
or social security numbers onto their property, said Foster.
These engraved identification numbers also help aid in the recovery
of stolen items.
Students also need to fill out a property sheet in order to record
the identification numbers, said Foster.
Contact the University Police Department at 262-2150 with any questions
about these services. |
