‘Lost laptops’ security risks
p2pnet.net News:- Thousands of laptops and tens of thousands of mobile phones were left in the back of London’s black cabs by passengers over the last six months, says a London Taxi Drivers’ Association survey.
Some 63,135 mobile phones, 5,838 pocket PCs and PDAs and 4,973 laptops were left in the back of the taxis, representing a 71% increase in laptops and a staggering 350% increase in pocket PCs, says Silicon.com.
But, fortunately, “most of these items are reunited with their owners, with 96 per cent of laptops and 80 per cent of mobile phones returned,” it says, adding that many cab drivers will try and personally return items if there’s an address or contact details.
Otherwise, property found in the back of taxis goes to the Metropolitan Police who forward it to Transport for London’s central lost property office.
Transport for London, which covers London Underground and London buses, said it handled 10,614 lost mobile phones and 5,718 electronic items including cameras and laptops in the last year, and Heathrow Airport said around three to four laptops are handed into its lost property department each week, together with up to 10 mobile phones per day, “although most are reclaimed by the original owners”.
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See:-
350% increase – Careless commuters put corporate data at risk, Silicon.com, January 24, 2005
