Don't think that you need hard drive encryption for your laptop? Are you one of those who believe that computer thieves are interested in the hardware, that they could not care about the contents? That's probably what a lot of people think. And, that includes the police, who constantly are quoted in the media as saying, "criminals generally steal a computer and wipe the contents in order to sell the merchandise on-line" or some other rubbish. Yes, rubbish. Because, I keep getting hints that there a lot of criminals who do otherwise, as one Mr. Harry Enfield's example can show us.
Don't think that you need hard drive encryption for your laptop? Are you one of those who believe that computer thieves are interested in the hardware, that they could not care about the contents?
That's probably what a lot of people think. And, that includes the police, who constantly are quoted in the media as saying, "criminals generally steal a computer and wipe the contents in order to sell the merchandise on-line" or some other rubbish. Yes, rubbish.
Because, I keep getting hints that there a lot of criminals who do otherwise, as one Mr. Harry Enfield's example can show us.
I have no idea. Maybe if I watched more of BBC America I might have a clue. According to Wikipedia, he's a famous British comedian, actor, and writer. He also has a wife by the name of Lucy. This can be ascertained because the site whatsontv.co.uk, among others, has noted that Mr. Enfield's laptop computer was stolen from his wife's car. The thieves also had the gumption to call Mr. Enfield, demanding a ransom of £750 for the safe return of the laptop, which contained new material for the comedian's show.
I have no idea. Maybe if I watched more of BBC America I might have a clue. According to Wikipedia, he's a famous British comedian, actor, and writer. He also has a wife by the name of Lucy.
This can be ascertained because the site whatsontv.co.uk, among others, has noted that Mr. Enfield's laptop computer was stolen from his wife's car. The thieves also had the gumption to call Mr. Enfield, demanding a ransom of £750 for the safe return of the laptop, which contained new material for the comedian's show.
Before I deal with some analysis, let me make clear my assumptions. The thief or thieves were not targeting the Enfields The Enfields don't have their phone number publicly listed (it's a celebrity household, after all) Now, assuming the above is true, we can only come to the conclusion that the thieves found the name of the owner, the value of the notebook computer's contents, and the owner's contact information from the portable device itself. I'm telling you, in contrast to what police spokesmen the world over may say, most thieves know that they're supposed to turn on the computer and see what tasty morsels they can pick off because selling the computer on eBay. This may not have been the case ten years ago, but the last five years have seen an inordinate amount of people--big time, organized criminals as well as petty thieves--dealing in ID fraud and theft.
Before I deal with some analysis, let me make clear my assumptions.
Now, assuming the above is true, we can only come to the conclusion that the thieves found the name of the owner, the value of the notebook computer's contents, and the owner's contact information from the portable device itself.
I'm telling you, in contrast to what police spokesmen the world over may say, most thieves know that they're supposed to turn on the computer and see what tasty morsels they can pick off because selling the computer on eBay.
This may not have been the case ten years ago, but the last five years have seen an inordinate amount of people--big time, organized criminals as well as petty thieves--dealing in ID fraud and theft.
Had Mr. Enfield used encryption software to protect the contents of his notebook's hard disk drive, none of this would have happened. Of course, he also wouldn't have been contacted by the would-be, er, laptop-nappers, offering to return his show material for a pittance. But then, he should have backed up his data. You just never know when a laptop computer is going to get stolen, or just plain die on you. Plus, encryption tools like AlertBoot would have prevented any fears that his jokes would be sold to someone else--apparently a possible problem.
Had Mr. Enfield used encryption software to protect the contents of his notebook's hard disk drive, none of this would have happened. Of course, he also wouldn't have been contacted by the would-be, er, laptop-nappers, offering to return his show material for a pittance.
But then, he should have backed up his data. You just never know when a laptop computer is going to get stolen, or just plain die on you. Plus, encryption tools like AlertBoot would have prevented any fears that his jokes would be sold to someone else--apparently a possible problem.
Related Articles and Sites:http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/drama/tv-news/news/harry-enfield-has-new-tv-material-stolen/7248http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/10/19/harry-enfield-has-his-jokes-for-new-tv-show-stolen-115875-21757660/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8313116.stm