Microsoft moves to secure laptops

Given this year's rash of laptop thefts, the fact that Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, provides an automatic encryption feature for laptop hard drives may prove a compelling selling point when the OS arrives this week. As experts point out, mobile device security solutions abound but having it baked right in--and possibly enhanced with some other third-party tool--is alluring for companies who don't want to end up in the headlines. One analyst says that Microsoft's foray into the mobile security industry could end up weeding out the weaker vendors by spurring increased competition in the field.

For more on the laptop encryption effort:
- read the news at CIO Insight

PLUS: A look at six laptops that won't go up in flames. Article