Computrace Persistence

Computrace persistence technology provides our customers with a constant connection to all of the computers in their deployment.  If efforts are made to remove Computrace from a device, the technology simply rebuilds itself so our customers can continue to track, manage, and protect their assets.  No other technology can do this.

The key to persistence is the relationship between the persistence module and the Computrace Application Agent:

Persistence Module

The persistence module checks for the presence of the Application Agent every time the computer starts up and initiates a process to reinstall the Application Agent if it is missing.  There are two types of persistence modules:

BIOS persistence:  The persistence module is embedded in the BIOS (or the firmware) of most laptops at the factory. 
Software persistence:  The persistence module is installed by the customer in the master boot record of the hard disk. 

Computrace Application Agent

The Computrace Application Agent is installed in the operating system of the computer.  It is very difficult to detect since it runs as a non-descript service and is not listed as an application.  Nor does Computrace show up on the programs menu list as a system tray icon.  The Application Agent makes regularly scheduled calls over the internet to the Absolute Monitoring Center providing detailed and accurate device data such as location, user, software, hardware, etc.  It also receives security commands from IT and carries them back to the device for execution.

Regardless of the persistence module in use, any efforts to remove the Application Agent (by accident or on purpose) will be detected and a process will be initiated for the Agent to self-heal and automatically reinstall itself onto the device.

BIOS persistence is the most comprehensive option, defeating virtually every action that could remove the Application Agent from a device including if the BIOS is flashed, if the device is reimaged, or if the hard drive is replaced.   View a list of the computers that have Computrace technology embedded in the BIOS.

Software persistence can also withstand most actions that could remove it, including a standard operating system reinstall.  However, unlike the BIOS model, it will not survive if the hard drive is replaced or if the area of the hard drive that contains the Persistence Module is reformatted.

Absolute Manage Persistence with Computrace Technology

Computrace persistence technology is now available for our Absolute Manage customers so they can enjoy the same self-healing capabilities.  As the world’s only persistent computer configuration lifecycle management product, the Absolute Manage agent will be automatically reinstalled if the Computrace Application Agent detects that it is missing, allowing our customers to maintain control over all of the devices in their deployment.

For more information about Computrace persistence technology read the FAQ.