Check Point launches ZoneAlarm DataLock to protect laptops and netbooks
Just like laptops, netbooks are easy to steal. So security software maker Check Point Software Technologies is launching software that can protect your data even if the laptop or netbook is stolen.
The ZoneAlarm DataLock software is designed to encrypt laptops and netbooks so that they’re useless to whoever steals them.
A survey by Harris Interactive revealed that 56 percent of laptop owners would be concerned if their personal data was stolen, but only 10 percent of them use encryption to protect their files. Mostly that’s an education issue. But the software hasn’t been that easy to install either.
Redwood City, Calif.-based Check Point focused on making the software easy to handle. It automatically encrypts all hard drive content, including credit card numbers, personal photos, social security information, financial documents, medical records and other important data. ZoneAlarm DataLock also safeguards information that users forget about, such as automatically stored passwords and things that they’ve thrown into the recycle bin — but still isn’t flushed from the system’s storage. (Hint, you have to empty your recycle bin periodically).
Users have to provide the correct username and password before they boot the operating system on the computer. If you forget the password, ZoneAlarm has a 24-hour per day password recovery phone service. ZoneAlarm DataLock by Check Point sells for $29.95 but can now be purchased from the ZoneAlarm web site for an introductory price of $19.95.
Check Point Software Technologies, a publicly traded software firm, bought Zone Alarm six years ago. Back then, the company had firewall software that offered basic protection for a computer. Zone Alarm now protects more than 60 million computers.
ZoneAlarm competes with rivals such as Symantec and McAfee.
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About the Author, Dean Takahashi
Dean is lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat. He covers video games, security, chips and a variety of other subjects. Dean previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News, the Wall Street Journal, the Red Herring, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register and the Dallas Times Herald. He is the author of two books, Opening the Xbox and the Xbox 360 Uncloaked. Follow him on Twitter at @deantak, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
