A couple of days ago, Absolute Software, the leading provider of laptop theft recovery, announced that it is to begin using GPS features on correctly enabled laptops. This will allow them to track laptops within a range of 10 metres. Not only the current location, but the history of where the laptop has been as well.

According to the press release, “IT Asset Managers and compliance personnel can:

* Track and manage computers on the LAN or in the field
* Remotely delete sensitive information for regulatory compliance
* Easily inventory all computers regardless of their location
* Remotely inventory software licenses
* Detect hardware changes or prohibited software installations”.

At first you may be taken aback by this technical idea, which may help you to find a stolen laptop, but is this software really a helping hand, or is it a watchful eye?

The software tracks your every move. What if somebody happens to gain access to your account? The hacker then has the location of a potentially expensive laptop, and even worse, you. Obviously, this information could be used to carry out a theft or other crime. To me, that seems like quite a dangerous aspect of this service.

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