An Indiana State University professor has received anonymous package this week that included his laptop stolen that had disappeared six days earlier. The laptop contained personal information, such as names, email addresses, school performance data and Social Security numbers of more than 2,500 current and former students.
An analysis of the laptop on his return found that no personal information stored on the hard drive had been consulted. This is probably due to the fact that the laptop was protected by a strong password that prevents unauthorized access.
While we are pleased that the laptop and returned a data breach by referring advance planning, this is the exception and not the rule for laptop theft. Our recent guide laptop recovering lost and stolen includes a series of useful tips on what to do before and after your laptop is stolen to help eliminated hassle and risk of identity theft.