GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know Laptop Theft Statistics [Recent Analysis]

Highlights: Laptop Theft Statistics

  • 1 in 10 laptop theft victims experience identity theft.
  • Over 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered.
  • Around 70 million smartphones are lost each year, and only 7% are recovered.
  • Laptop theft accounts for 57% of all identity theft.
  • Over 2 million laptops are stolen every year in the United States.
  • 74% of laptop thefts occur in public places or during travel.
  • A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds in the United States.
  • 34% of organizations have experienced nearly 5,500 cases of laptop theft in a year.
  • 20% of laptop thefts were due to a lack of physical security precautions.
  • 60% of college students report being a victim of laptop theft or know someone who has been a victim.
  • About $3.5 billion is the total cost of stolen corporate laptops each year.
  • The cost of a lost laptop for a company is an average of $49,246.
  • 40% of data breaches involving laptops happen when laptops are stolen from company offices.
  • Colleges and universities have an average annual cost of $4.25 million due to laptop thefts.
  • In the UK, 10,000 laptops are reported stolen every year.
  • Laptops are the 5th most commonly stolen item in burglaries, after cash, jewelry, cell phones, and other electronics.

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Laptop theft is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world every year. According to Norton, 1 in 10 laptop theft victims experience identity theft and over 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered. Additionally, 44% of thieves target laptops for their resale value while 56% contain sensitive information.

The statistics don’t stop there; approximately 70 million smartphones are lost each year with only 7% being recovered and 12,000 laptops are lost or stolen at US airports every week. Furthermore, 57 percent of all identity thefts involve laptop thefts and 2 million laptops are stolen annually in the United States alone – one every 53 seconds.

It’s not just public places where these crimes occur either; 74 percent happen when traveling or in public areas but 32 percent take place within an office environment too. In fact 34 percent organizations have experienced nearly 5500 cases per annum due to laptop thefts which can cost companies up to $49246 on average. Colleges also suffer from this crime as they incur an annual cost averaging $4.25million due to such incidents whilst UK reports show 10 000 reported losses yearly making it the fifth most commonly taken item after cash jewelry cell phones and other electronics during burglaries . All together these figures paint a worrying picture about how vulnerable we really our when it comes to protecting our devices against criminals who seek financial gain through stealing them

The Most Important Statistics
1 in 10 laptop theft victims experience identity theft.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of laptop theft. It highlights the fact that not only is the physical device at risk, but the personal information stored on it can be used to commit identity theft. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, as it can have a devastating impact on the victim’s life.

Over 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the reality of laptop theft: that the vast majority of stolen laptops are never seen again. It serves as a cautionary tale for laptop owners, emphasizing the importance of taking the necessary steps to protect their devices from theft. It also highlights the need for better security measures to be implemented in order to reduce the number of laptops that are stolen and never recovered.

Laptop Theft Statistics Overview

Around 70 million smartphones are lost each year, and only 7% are recovered.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of smartphone theft, and how difficult it is to recover stolen devices. It highlights the importance of taking steps to protect our devices, as the odds of recovering them are slim. It also serves as a warning to be extra vigilant when it comes to laptop theft, as the chances of recovery are even lower.

Laptop theft accounts for 57% of all identity theft.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of laptop theft and its devastating consequences. It highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to protect laptops from theft, as it is a major source of identity theft. It also serves as a warning to laptop owners to be extra vigilant and take all necessary precautions to safeguard their devices.

Over 2 million laptops are stolen every year in the United States.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of laptop theft in the United States. It serves as a wake-up call to those who may not be aware of the risks associated with leaving their laptop unattended or unprotected. It also highlights the need for laptop owners to take extra precautions to protect their devices from theft.

74% of laptop thefts occur in public places or during travel.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the importance of taking extra precautions when using laptops in public places or while traveling. It highlights the need for laptop owners to be aware of their surroundings and to take steps to protect their devices from theft. By understanding the prevalence of laptop theft in public places and during travel, laptop owners can take the necessary steps to ensure their devices are secure.

A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds in the United States.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of laptop theft in the United States. It serves as a warning to laptop owners to take extra precautions to protect their devices from theft. It also highlights the need for better security measures to be implemented to reduce the number of laptop thefts.

34% of organizations have experienced nearly 5,500 cases of laptop theft in a year.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of laptop theft in today’s world. It highlights the need for organizations to take proactive steps to protect their laptops and other valuable assets from theft. It also serves as a warning to individuals to be extra vigilant when it comes to safeguarding their laptops. The statistic is a powerful reminder that laptop theft is a real and growing problem that needs to be addressed.

20% of laptop thefts were due to a lack of physical security precautions.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the importance of physical security precautions when it comes to laptop theft. It highlights the fact that a significant portion of laptop thefts could have been prevented if proper security measures had been taken. This statistic serves as a warning to laptop owners to take the necessary steps to protect their devices from theft.

60% of college students report being a victim of laptop theft or know someone who has been a victim.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of laptop theft on college campuses. It highlights the need for students to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect their devices. It also serves as a warning to college administrators to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of their students’ laptops.

About $3.5 billion is the total cost of stolen corporate laptops each year.

This staggering statistic serves as a stark reminder of the immense financial burden that laptop theft places on businesses each year. It is a sobering reminder of the importance of taking proactive steps to protect corporate laptops from theft.

The cost of a lost laptop for a company is an average of $49,246.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the financial burden that laptop theft can impose on a company. It highlights the importance of taking the necessary steps to protect laptops from theft, as the cost of a lost laptop can be a significant financial hit.

40% of data breaches involving laptops happen when laptops are stolen from company offices.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the importance of taking proper security measures to protect laptops in the workplace. It highlights the need for companies to be vigilant in safeguarding their laptops from theft, as a significant portion of data breaches occur due to stolen laptops. Companies should consider implementing measures such as secure storage, tracking software, and encryption to protect their laptops and the data stored on them.

Colleges and universities have an average annual cost of $4.25 million due to laptop thefts.

The staggering cost of laptop thefts to colleges and universities is a stark reminder of the importance of taking proactive measures to protect valuable technology. With an average annual cost of $4.25 million, it is clear that laptop theft is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. The financial burden of these thefts can be crippling for educational institutions, and it is essential that steps are taken to reduce the risk of theft and protect valuable resources.

In the UK, 10,000 laptops are reported stolen every year.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of laptop theft in the UK. It highlights the need for people to take extra precautions when it comes to protecting their laptops from theft. It also serves as a warning to businesses and organizations to invest in security measures to protect their laptops from being stolen.

Laptops are the 5th most commonly stolen item in burglaries, after cash, jewelry, cell phones, and other electronics.

This statistic serves as a stark reminder that laptops are a highly sought-after item for burglars, ranking among the top five most commonly stolen items. It is a clear indication that laptop owners should take extra precautions to protect their devices from theft.

Conclusion

The statistics on laptop theft paint a grim picture. It is clear that laptops are an attractive target for thieves, with over 97% of stolen laptops never recovered and 44% targeted for their resale value. Furthermore, 56% of stolen laptops contain sensitive information and 74% occur in public places or during travel. The cost to companies can be significant – the average cost per lost laptop being $49,246 – while college students report being victims at alarming rates as well. To protect against these losses it is important to take physical security precautions such as locking up devices when not in use and using tracking software if available.

References

0. – https://www.theguardian.com

1. – https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com

2. – https://www.alphr.com

3. – https://www.preyproject.com

4. – https://www.csrc.nist.gov

5. – https://www.privacyrights.org

6. – https://www.sans.org

7. – https://www.acfe.com

8. – https://www.channelweb.co.uk

9. – https://www.content.sciendo.com

10. – https://www.prweb.com

11. – https://www.preyproject.com

12. – https://www.networkworld.com

13. – https://www.pcworld.com

14. – https://www.us.norton.com

FAQs

What is the average number of laptop thefts reported per year?

The average number of laptop thefts reported per year can vary significantly depending on the location and source of data. For example, in the United States, it is estimated that over 2 million laptops are stolen each year, averaging around 5,480 laptop thefts per day. However, this number may differ when considering global rates or specific regions.

Which locations are most prone to laptop thefts?

Laptop thefts are commonly reported to occur in public spaces, such as cafes, libraries, airports, and educational institutions. However, these thefts can also take place during break-ins at offices and homes. Generally, locations with high foot traffic and minimal security measures are most prone to laptop thefts.

What are some common methods used by thieves to steal laptops?

Thieves often employ various tactics to steal laptops, such as snatch-and-grab techniques, where they quickly grab a laptop from a table or bag and run away; distraction schemes, where they divert the owner's attention in order to take the laptop; and breaking into homes or offices to access unattended devices. Cybercriminals may also target unsecured laptops connected to public Wi-Fi networks to steal data directly.

What are some preventive measures to decrease the risk of laptop theft?

Preventive measures to decrease laptop theft risk include always keeping the device within one's sight, using security cables or locks to physically secure the laptop, storing the device in a secure place when unattended, using password protection and encryption to protect sensitive data, and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks when possible. Additionally, registering the device's serial number with the manufacturer, tracking devices, and installing anti-theft software can help with recovery if a laptop is stolen.

What is the estimated cost of laptop theft for individuals and organizations?

The cost of laptop theft entails not only the cost of the device itself but also potential losses of sensitive personal or corporate data, lost productivity, and expenses related to investigating and recovering from the incident. It is estimated that a single stolen laptop can cost a business about $50,000 or more when considering factors such as device replacement, data loss, legal liabilities, and reputation damage. The cost for individuals can also be significant, particularly when accounting for identity theft risks and lost personal information.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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