HP offers remote wipe service for laptops

Available now in the UK, HP Tracking and Recovery is based on Computrace technology from Absolute Software.

This uses a software agent installed on each laptop to report its location to an online monitoring centre whenever it connects to the internet.

If a laptop protected by the Tracking and Recovery service is stolen, the customer can log in to a web-based Customer Centre to report the theft and file police report details, according to HP.

A recovery team then works with law enforcement to track and recover the system.

Additionally, customers can trigger a wipe command that will be carried out the next time the laptop connects to the internet. A log file can be viewed at the Customer Centre web site, confirming that all sensitive data has been deleted.

The Computrace agent is difficult to remove, according to HP, and incorporates self-healing technology that rebuilds the installation if a thief tries to remove it from the system.

"Critical business data and passwords that fall into the wrong hands as a result of computer loss or theft can spell disaster for organisations, but our new Tracking and Recovery Service offers total peace of mind should such an eventuality occur," said Shaun Hobbs, UK category manager for PC clients at HP.

HP Tracking and Recovery is available pre-installed on selected HP commercial laptops, and customers need only to register to activate the service. Annual subscription fees start at £24 per system per year.

Representatives at HP Australia said there are no plans to offer the service locally at this stage.