An Evergreen, Colorado-based software maker today unveiled a new feature for its missing laptop security program that allows users to track their computers using Google (News - Alert) Maps.

 

Front Door Software’s “Retriever” program – available at www.frontdoorsoftware.com, it takes about five minutes to download, according to the company – will feature the new tracking system for free for the first 25,000 customers who install Retriever, according to Carrie Hafeman, chief executive officer of the company.

 

“After that, we plan on charging for the Google tracking capability,” Hafeman said.

 

According to the company’s citation of FBI statistics, a laptop is stolen every 12 seconds, and once gone there is only a 3 percent chance of recovery.

 

Here’s what the Retriever software does when a thief steals a computer.

 

First, it sends a message to the laptop: “THIS COMPUTER IS REPORTED STOLEN,”
locks it down with a code up to 50 characters long, then sends a personal message to the thief and creates a Google Map of where the laptop is communicating from.

 

Front Door says it’s registered thousands of new users from universities, school districts, government organizations and corporations from around the world, but still caters to those simply interested in protecting their personal information.

 

Those include nonprofit organizations, such as the Visiting Nurse Service in Indiana, which received 211 free Retriever licenses this month, according to Front Door.

 

Hafeman said that her company is “thrilled” to help charity agencies.

 

“The last thing charities need to use their funds for is to replace stolen laptops,” Hafeman said. “By providing the Retriever security product, we can help offer peace of mind and reassurance that people’s laptops, information and identity are better protected.”

 

The first installation of Retriever is free, company officials say. A second computer can be protected for $19.95. Prices drop to only $7.95 each for 500 or more, and universities and school districts can protect all of their laptops and PCs with a site license that costs $10,000 per year, according to the company.