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UK and France champions of safe surfing

UK and French lead the way in online security but are less bothered about data protection

April 14, 2010

Newbury, UK - People in the UK and France are the safest IT users in the world when it comes to surfing safely, with 85 per cent and 87 per cent of laptop owners respectively using anti-virus protection. However, according to research conducted by Absolute Software, UK laptop owners are leaving themselves vulnerable to identity theft by not taking data security seriously.

The online study, carried out in association with YouGov, revealed Germany, by contrast to the UK, had the least safe surfers with just three per cent of laptop owners using anti-virus software. Germany, however, was the best when it came to data protection with 72 per cent of all respondents using encryption.

The survey also found that just one per cent of known laptop theft had resulted in the laptop being returned to its owner.

Executive quote

“Consumers are aware of viruses which is great, but that’s no help when it comes to protecting personal data against identity theft. You wouldn’t lock your car door and then leave the window open, so why leave your laptop wide open to thieves?” commented Dave Everitt, general manager of EMEA at Absolute Software.

“The loss of data is potentially the most costly of all threats. With such a tiny percentage of laptops being returned to their owners, it’s safe to assume that when a laptop goes, the data on it is lost forever. Even encryption doesn’t offer total security, as it can often leave things like saved passwords still on the computer,” continued Everitt. “With the amount of personal data that’s now stored on computers, losing your laptop’s worse than losing your wallet, so it’s time for owners to take security seriously.”

About the company

About Absolute Software
Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in computer theft recovery, data protection and Secure Asset Tracking® solutions. Absolute Software provides organisations and consumers with solutions in the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The Company's Computrace software is embedded in the firmware of computers by global leaders, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, General Dynamics Itronix, HP, Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more information about Absolute Software and Computrace, visit www.absolute.com and http://blog.absolute.com .

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected performance, functionality and availability of our services and products, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized.

©2010 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace, Absolute and Secure Asset Tracking are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack is a registered trademark of LoJack Corporation, used under license by Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack Corporation is not responsible for any content herein. Computrace U.S. patents No. 5,715,174, No. 5,764,892, No. 5,802,280, No. 5,896,497, No. 6,244,758, No. 6,269,392, No. 6,300,863, and No. 6,507,914. Canadian patents No. 2,284,806 and No. 2,205,370. U.K. patents No. EP793823 and No. GB2338101. German patent No. 695 125 34.6-08. Australian patent No. 699045. Japanese patent No. JP4067035. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

Contact details

Ellen Spenceley or Lisa Gillingham at LEWIS PR

Tel: +44 (0) 117 315 8584
Email: absolutesoftwareuk@lewispr.com

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UK and France champions of safe surfing

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