Lenovo - Notebook disabling via SMS!

From 2009, some Lenovo notebooks will be able to be shut down via SMS, protecting the data on them.

The manufacturer will offer another security solution next year: the Lenovo Constant Secure Remote Disable service will allow the user to remotely shut down the notebook by sending an SMS message. The BIOS-embedded feature, developed by Lenovo in conjunction with Phoenix, is designed to protect the confidential corporate data on your notebook hard drive. The hard disk encryption technology used in Lenovo machines only works if the machine is not hibernating, so it must be turned off completely. Thus, on reboot, the data on the hard drive will not be available on the lost or stolen notebook.

Issuing the "harakiri" command can have an immediate effect, when whatever the machine is doing, it turns off immediately. In this way, some data may be lost and the installed operating system may be damaged, but sensitive data will definitely remain hidden. You can also tell the machine to activate the protection on the next reboot. If the lost machine is still found, the user can revive the dead notebook with the password provided to use the hard disk encryption function.

CSRD technology will only be available on computers that connect to the Internet through a mobile network using their built-in modem or WAN card - although Lenovo has already developed technology that provides similar data protection when the notebook is connected to an Ethernet or Wi-Fi network. It connects to the World Wide Web via a Fi network. Of course, for the CSRD to work, the SIM card in the machine must also be active, the machine must be located where a usable GSM network is available, and - ad absurdum - the subscription belonging to the card must be used.

Ten different numbers can be associated with each machine, from which it accepts the "suicide" command. This makes it possible for the machine user and company administrators to react to the situation if the notebook computer disappears. At the same time, it is ensured that unauthorized persons cannot switch it off.

This year, Dell also launched a service very similar to Lenovo called Dell Remote Data Delete Service. The difference is that Dell's remote-controlled sepuku will erase the entire contents of the hard drive. Dell funded a study before launching the service, which concluded that roughly 12 (!) Notebooks are lost at U.S. airports each week. In light of this, it is an envelope that both Lenovo's and Dell's services will be very popular - at least overseas - due to US laws that protect companies from protecting personal information.

Software and BIOS updates for Lenovo CSRD will be available in late December or early next year. The technology runs on the company’s notebooks, which are built on the Intel Centrino 2 platform. Lenovo launched its first such model in July this year.