Tech

Due to a growing number of notebook theft cases both manufacturers and normal users are always looking for new ways to protect data on their hard drives. Notebook theft is not a joke especially if you keep on his hard drive personal or confidential business data. The thief can get access to virtually all the information needed for identity theft.

Many peoples to avoid these types of threats chose notebooks with built-in fingerprint readers and encrypts data on their computers. But the Lenovo company proposes completely new solution in notebooks security which intends to put on sale in the coming year. One sms message sent by the owner will be sufficient to disable stolen notebook computer.

Service “Lenovo Constant Secure Remote Disable Feature” will together with devices that support WWAN. The user sending simple text message such as “Lockdown PC” or “PC shut off” will be able to block his computer operation.

At the time of receipt of message your notebook will automatically shuts off and in the case that thief will try to start it again it will completely block your machine. Also there will be message sent to the owner of the notebook informing that his computer was successfully blocked. In the case when the owner will get back his notebook he will be able to unlock his machine via a previously set password.

Introducing this type of security significantly reduce the stress associated with the loss of the notebook and the data contained on his hard drive. And with connection with already existing security features such as fingerprint readers, hard drive encrypting or security chip’s Lenovo notebooks will have the most advanced security features available on the market - says Bob Galush from Lenovo

As for now however it is unknown whether the data contained on a computer’s hard drive will be secure after it will be dismounted from the computer.

Marcin Zielezny

I can picture it now, you were sitting at your laptop pounding away on the keyboard trying to finish up that term paper that should have been written two weeks ago, then suddenly the power goes out and your files are lost. Your computer resets and your word processing software has lost all your progress. Or maybe you were babysitting and the kid jumped on the computer to fix up a quick homework assignment and deleted all your hard work. No matter the situation we are going to end up at the same place–we’ve lost some files on our personal computer and we want them back; however, the best option will always be prevention, so let’s start there.

If possible, always keep a “hard copy” of any printable file. A “hard copy” is a printed file which is the physical product of what is intended to be an electronic document. There are some cases where this may not be possible. For example, any website work or graphic design work may be nearly impossible to capture in another format, especially if you have any other hidden features that may be electronically stored within the image.

If you can’t keep a “hard copy” then the best thing that you can do is back the file up on any other possible storage media that will stand alone without the use of the personal computer that you initially intended to store the file on. I recommend using a second household computer, if you have one. If you don’t there are many other possible alternatives for storing files electronically. Another great storage resource is an email account, if the document is a relatively large document then the email account probably wouldn’t be a suitable option; however, you could always sign up for an online storage service.

Now that we have discussed possible ways to prevent the situation from happening–or happening again if you’re one of the unfortunate that this has already happened to (I am assuming you are, you are here after all)–it’s time we discuss ways of solving the problem.

Your first option probably would be to make a trip down to the local computer repair shop in your area and seeing if one of the “techies” there can help you out, and this is a common route many people will take. Another option would require searching through lists of data recovery companies and trying to select one company that looks reputable enough to go with.

Personally, I’m closer to being the local “techie” than most people and I do tend to catch the D.I.Y. bug quite often too, so I probably would take the last option which I’m going to spout out right now. I would go through looking for a piece of software that would allow me to do the job myself. In some situations this may be the very thing you need to do, especially if you’re working with sensitive documents. After all, many of us have a lot of information sitting around on a hard disk drive that we wouldn’t want just any data recovery company to be snooping through (Think: bank statements, email addresses, personal accounting files, general private messages, and in some cases for the public figure…internet history).

USB memory sticks are a wonderful way to back up and transport a range of digital information, from music to video to documents to pictures. The only question is, when you are ready to retire your memory stick, how do you dispose of it? Before you think about just throwing away your USB memory stick, consider the myriad ways you can recycle or reuse it.

Before you find an outlet for your old memory sticks, make sure all the information you wrote onto the stick has been properly and completely deleted. While deleting the files yourself at home may appear to remove the information from the stick, the data may still be accessible to skilled hackers and certain spy programs. The best practice is to take the drive to your local computer store or maintenance location and have them professionally delete the information.

A great way to dispose of your memory stick is to donate it. For example, some companies collect unwanted and old USB sticks and recycles them for students and professionals in developing countries who do not have access to such technology. Some education trusts also accepts donated USB memory sticks in support of schools in Africa. If you prefer your donation to stay more local, then some local libraries distribute audio books to the blind on donated memory sticks.

If you do not like the idea of donating your USB memory stick, it is also possible to recycle your memory stick at home by finding alternative uses for them. Unwanted USB sticks can be used as key chain charms or plant labels. The circuit boards and interior wiring can be reconfigured and redesigned to make unique jewelry pieces, and an arrangement of USB parts could contribute to an art project. Some people grind up their old USB sticks and lay it around flower beds as moisture insulation and weed protection. All you need to recycle your memory stick at home is a little imagination!

A final resort for the disposal of unwanted USB memory sticks is throwing them away but make sure to heed the warning about deleting all information properly before choosing this disposal option!

Everything considered, the best disposal method is reuse. One of the best aspects of a USB memory stick is it can be rewritten again and again and continue to hold and transport your data in a small and efficient manner and with sales of these units in the hundreds of millions they are likely to be here for quite some time yet.