This story highlights what disk encryption is all about. We hate to make light of somebody’s misfortune but this example is humorous, sad and educational all at the same time. We so often hear about the risks of personal data that is on a stolen laptop being used and this tale shows how it actually can be used. We even thought about whether we should include her name – but it is already as public as public can be!
So here is the story – and yes you will laugh (and feel guilty): In August, Victoria Richardson, from East Sussex in the United Kingdom, had her home burgled. She lost an iPhone, a Nintendo DS games console, a handbag containing a purse, cash and debit cards and a black Toshiba laptop. And yes, her laptop was as unsecure as it could be. No passwords and certainly no disk drive encryption – something that could have prevented the following embarrassment.
Not only did the criminal steal the laptop, but the thief logged into the victim’s Facebook account. Victoria later logged into her Facebook account (using some other computer) and discovered that the thief had left several messages on her account. They read:
“on my new laptop”
“Listening to music on my new phone feels so good.”
“I have the laptop , phones ok but a bit scratched itll do, tv was rubbish so I left it, ds was a bonus, now to the porn shop, thankyou toshiba is my favourite make”.
“regards your night time burglar”.
So without anything to secure the laptop, this unfortunate woman not only had her physical space invaded but also had her online space taken over! As Ms Richardson put it: “I felt very spooked. I have never felt like that before. It felt like they were rubbing my nose in it.”
Most article noted that while these Facebook messages prove that the thief is quite stupid. Leaving traces of his/her activity on a social networking site can only help the police trace them and bring them to justice. However, in the end that does not sound like the case as the police are still looking for the criminals.
We don’t mean to add insult to Victoria’s injury, but if even just a few folks learn from this event and implement hard disk encryption at home or at their business, then maybe some good will come from Victoria’s hassles. Encryption can’t prevent the physical loss – but it can prevent the additional invasion of your online space!
People tend to forget that once hitting “save website password” in Internet Explorer or Firefox, that password and user name is available to anyone that gains access to the computer.
You do have to laugh – but you know you shouldn’t….
My wife’s friend recently had her purse stolen and looking on the bright side she said “at least it wasn’t my laptop.” She realized that her purse just had her driver’s license, 1 credit card and some cash (plus tissues, cosmetics etc.). Her computer however, had everything under the sun on it.
I was about to start my usual security speech when I felt my wife’s heel on my toes and I got the message – but I’m darn sure her computer has no protection!