SINGAPORE - September 10, 2007 - The start of the new school year for tertiary institutions means new friends, new classes, and often a new computer to help get schoolwork done. Laptops have become an essential part of tertiary students' life and more and more students are affected by problems such as data theft and compromise of personal information every year.
According to Educational Security Incidents (ESI), a Web site that serves as a repository for reported information security incidents that have occurred at institutions of higher education, an estimated 2.6 million records of information were exposed at universities around the world in 2006 alone. That number includes only incidents that were reported; a vast majority of information compromises go unreported.
"In many institutional settings, especially educational institutions, there is real danger of losing control over personal information," said Adam Dodge, founder of ESI. "Information such as grades, identification and matriculation numbers, or even a mother's maiden name can be found on most personal computers. This creates the possibility that a tertiary student might suffer identity theft five, 10, 20 or even 30 years after the initial theft of their information. For this reason, it is important that all of us begin to take personal responsibility for securing our own information."
There are a number of things the average student or parent can do to protect themselves and their information, according to CBL Data Recovery Technologies Inc., a leading global provider of data recovery services and software:
- If you will be attending school with a computer that's already been used by a member of your household or business, make sure you're not taking important data with you as well. Simply deleting files or formatting the hard drive is not enough.
CBL offers its free "Data Shredder Tool" on its Web site (www.cbltech.com.sg/data-shredder.html) that allows users to easily ensure that all vital data is removed from the computer's hard drive.
- Protect your computer as you would your keys, wallet or credit card. Most laptops come equipped with a security cable slot; invest in a cable and use it.
- Keep your laptop out of sight and inconspicuous when not using it. Invest in a padded bag that also doesn't shout "Laptop Inside." Also, never leave it lying around at the library while you go grab a bite at the canteen.
- Invest in computer theft protection software that tracks, locates and recovers stolen computers.
- Insure your laptop. In case of damage or theft, you can ease the burden of the extra cost with coverage by an insurance plan. Specific insurance plans designed for students' laptops are available for tertiary students in Singapore.
- Set both boot and log-in passwords to prevent information theft in the event your computer is stolen. Some laptops now use biometric technology to restrict use to only registered users.
"Keeping data secure at school also applies to the data created by the student," notes Ferhana Omar Ashiblie, Acting General Manager of CBL Data Recovery Technologies (S) Pte Ltd. "'My computer ate my homework' is not an excuse most professors will accept upon learning that the student spent hours working on a 20-page term paper only to have the hard drive crash upon completion."
Specialists such as CBL Data Recovery Technologies offer a variety of services to recover data from disasters such as hard drive failures, accidental deletion of files, virus contamination, software corruption and even physical damage from fire or flood. CBL's 24-hour toll-free hotline lets callers speak to a data recovery specialist to initially diagnose the extent of the damage. Filling out an online form can start the ball rolling toward CBL's free data recovery service evaluation and a written quote.
CBL's data recovery expertise extends to every make, model and manufacturer of computers. CBL engineers work below the operating system level to recover data from systems running Microsoft Windows Vista, XP or older; Unix, including Solaris, HP-UX and AIX; Linux, including Mandriva, Red Hat and Ubuntu; and, the Mac OS. Owners of older PCs, laptops and servers can take comfort in knowing CBL's data recovery expertise isn't limited to current brands such as Acer, Apple, Dell, Compaq, HP, Lenovo and Toshiba. CBL's data recovery services are backed by its "No Data, No Charge" guarantee.
About CBL Data Recovery Technologies (S) Pte Ltd.
Since the establishment of operations in Singapore in 2003, CBL Data Recovery Technologies (S) Pte Ltd. (www.cbltech.com.sg) has witnessed a growing demand for its data recovery services and expertise both in Singapore and beyond its borders. Throughout the Asia-Pacific region, CBL provides individuals, governments and agencies, corporations and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with critical data recovery services.
About CBL Data Recovery Technologies Inc.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered near Toronto, Canada, CBL Data Recovery Technologies Inc. is a leading international provider of data recovery software and services. CBL employs proprietary techniques to recover data quickly and effectively from a wide array of affected media including hard drives, tapes, and other magnetic, optical and removable media. CBL offers services worldwide through its network of data recovery laboratories, customer service centers and authorized partners around the globe. Visit CBL on the Web at www.cbltech.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Susan Stuart
CBL Data Recovery Technologies Inc.
905-479-9938
800-551-3917
sstuart@cbltech.com
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Eugene Wong
The Right Spin
65.6325.5929
eugene@therightspin.com.sg
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