Laptop-Using Business Travellers “Beware Of The Shoulder Surfer”, Says 3M

Published 29th January 2008

3M uses London’s Business Travel Show to highlight the potential dangers of working on laptops while travelling...

Bracknell, UK, 28 January 2008 – 3M, the diversified technology company, will be exhibiting its computer privacy filters at the Business Travel Show to raise awareness of the data security risks associated with working on laptops in public places. In an effort to encourage safe working practices among travel buyers, bookers, arrangers and business travellers themselves, 3M is giving away complimentary privacy filters to the first 50 visitors that come to Stand 449 each day (ready with their laptop make and model).

“Stories of ‘yet another security lapse by company X’ hit the headlines far too often, demonstrating just how vulnerable people are to threats such as privacy invasion, identity theft and fraud, and how little is being done to protect commercially sensitive on-screen data,” commented Nick Hughes, Business Development Manager of 3M’s Optical Systems Division. “A privacy filter is a simple yet essential security gadget that offers a greater sense of comfort for anyone using their laptop during business travel, whether working in wi-fi friendly airports, a hotel lobby, on an airplane, bus or train.”

According to a recent UK survey, there are 2.4 million laptop users at risk from prying eyes(1). What’s more, 8 out of 10 of these users may have already become victims of shoulder surfing(2). To protect laptop data from unauthorised viewing and potentially damaging consequences, business travellers can install a Vikuiti Privacy Filter from 3M that fits neatly over the screen, and can be readily removed and stored when not required. The filters are specifically designed to allow an unrestricted view for the user but prevent others positioned to the side or viewing over their shoulder from seeing what is on the screen.

For further information on 3M Privacy Filters please visit www.3M.co.uk/privacyfilters