Absolute Computrace Data Protection - How It Works

Computrace Data Protection allows customers to track stationary, remote and mobile computer assets and remotely wipe sensitive data if the computer is lost, stolen or nearing the end of its lifecycle. The product is centrally managed by the IT department, providing visibility for up to 100% of their connected computer assets.

The remote data delete function ("Data Delete") enables customers to remotely delete sensitive data on target computers that have been lost or stolen. It can also be used effectively for lifecycle management to ensure that computers are left clean and free of sensitive data at the end of their life or lease. For IT asset management, ComputraceComplete gives IT staff complete visibility into their connected computer assets, including the 40% of computer assets that Gartner Group says are unaccounted for at any given point in time.

Computrace Data Protection tracks the location of your computer using a small and undetectable software agent ("Computrace Agent"), enabling the computer to report its location to Absolute's confidential and secure Monitoring Center each day it connects to the Internet. As well as collecting location data, the Computrace Agent also collects user, hardware and software information to help you track and manage your remote assets. You can also set up a Data Delete request so that sensitive data on a stolen or missing computer is deleted the next time the computer calls in to the Monitoring Center.

Targeting files to be deleted

Computrace Data Protection can remove data at the file, directory or operating system level:

Advanced Reporting for the Complete Picture

Users can view various asset management reports via Absolute's online Customer Center website ("Customer Center"). These reports (or modules) allow IT Managers and Directors of IT to better prepare their organizations for a complete Secure Asset TrackingTM program that takes into consideration regulatory compliance, lifecycle management, lease management, upgrades and company-wide deployments. In order to effectively manage IT assets it is essential to have a complete picture of all IT assets in inventory, where they are located and what resources are installed on them.

5 Easy Steps to Computrace Success

The Computrace technology is more than just software – it's like having your own security team watching over your computer. Here's how it works:

• You install the client software on your computers using your preferred method – this could be an MSI installer, login script, image or any other deployment method that works for you. It's easy and it's secure. The client software is small, stealthy and hidden on the computer. The end-user will not even know it is there.
• Your computer reports location, user, hardware and software information to our confidential, secure Monitoring Center every day it connects to the Internet.
• You track and manage your computer assets, including remote/mobile computers, using reports, alerts and administration functions from the secure Customer Center website.
• If your computer is lost or stolen, our full-service Recovery Team works with local law enforcement agencies to track the location of the computer, secure subpoenas and warrants and return your stolen computer to you within 60 days. If Absolute can't recover your laptop within 60 days, you may be eligible for our Recovery Guarantee of up to $1000.
• If you choose, and at your request, an optional Data Delete function can be performed on your stolen computer to keep sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. (For further details, see the Data Delete section, below.)

The Data Delete Process

Computrace Data Protection uses safeguards to ensure that only authorized persons are entitled to request the Data Delete service. Users are required to sign a pre-authorization agreement with specified Data Delete Administrators. As an additional safeguard, the authorized Data Delete Administrator must possess a physical RSA SecurID™ token and enter the time-dependent token value, in addition to a password, when setting up a Data Delete.

Note: In order to use the Data Delete service, customers must first sign a Pre-Authorization agreement and then purchase one or more RSA SecurID tokens from Absolute Software. The ability to invoke a Data Delete rests entirely with the registered user that has signed the agreement and purchased the RSA SecurID token.