Lenovo lets users lockdown stolen notebooks via text
updated 04:25 pm EST, Tue November 25, 2008
Lenovo lockdown via text
Lenovo on Tuesday announced it will soon introduce a security feature that will allow users to lockdown their Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks just by sending a text message. The feature, called Lenovo Constant Secure Remote Disable, was developed in conjunction with Phoenix Technologies, which specializes in embedded technologies like the computer BIOS hardware.
When their notebook is lost or stolen, all users have to do to enhance the security of their ThinkPad notebooks is send a text message that reads "lockdown PC now" or "PC shut off" to the PC's onboard mobile broadband service, which will then prevent unauthorized access to the computer's data. If the notebook is off when the disable command is sent, it will disable the next time it powers on. Once the PC goes into protection mode, users will receive a text message confirming this. If or when they get their notebooks back, entering a pre-set password will reactivate the notebook.
Lenovo's ThinkPads also offer built-in biometric fingerprint readers, full hard drive encryption and embedded security chips.
The Lenovo Constant Secure Remote Disable feature will become available on certain ThinkPad notebooks with mobile broadband in the first quarter of 2009.
