Broadband Tech > Security > Security > The right way to track a stolen laptop

said by South LA :

There is zero chance of cracking a properly encrypted hard drive (hardware based) with a strong password in this context, assuming the computer was shut down. And even if was not shut down, you may be able to access data, but the next time it is shut down, it will be locked for good. Far easier to steal another unprotected laptop, or swap in a new drive. In fact, outside of a couple of government agencies, it isn't going to be cracked. More importantly, for those of us who work with data covered by the various privacy laws, such encryption is a safe harbor under the law. Since these were students, who cares, but anyone who works in finance, healthcare or insurance (especially healthcare or health insurance), it is simply foolish not to PROPERLY use encrypted drives due to the penalties and liability.