Stolen Computer Theft Recovery Service?

Miró

Had a visit from the police today :eek:

They offered to install 'Computrace LoJack' on all my computers, (desktop, laptop & netbook) for free, (worth £39.95). It's supposed to be a stolen computer theft recovery and identity protection service which tracks, locates and helps recover stolen computers and remotely deletes files. They are offering it free of charge in my area as it has a large student population.

I can't decide if it would be a good idea or not.

Has anyone used it? Pros/Cons???

http://store.lojackforlaptops.com/store/absolute/en_GB/html/pbPage.en_GB-lojack-bogo-ipad/ThemeID.20245600?resid=TqVJKAoHAtcAADkoE6oAAAA7&rests=1319458930500

S0litaire

Only thing I can think of is that it's a yearly subscription, who will pay it once the subscription runs out?
I'd rather do some research hand see what other options are out there!
Their are other cheaper options but are DIY (or RIY in this case "Recover it yourself") options ^_^

aerostar

There is FREE alternative software that does the same

http://preyproject.com/

It works ! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393117/Thief-caught-Hidden-app-victim-remotely-controls-MacBook.html

Ximian

Aside from tracking software, disk encryption is highly advised especially on laptops.

paddyrg

Would booting from a Linux CD just bypass it entirely?

Anthonis

How can some thief software help if they wipe hdd? I would agree if they would offer take notebook apart and install there hidden gps tracker..... But software.....nonsense any dumb idiot can just wipe hdd or connect it remotely.....

S0litaire

I've currently using prey on my laptop/desktop and android phone. Nothing except a hardware chip inside the device will survive a wipe but the average thief ain't to bright so would probably not wipe it before selling it on.
Though they probably will power it up and have a look through it to see what naughty pics they can find ^_~

That's when you catch them... lol


I'm currently looking into how to "hard bake" Prey + settingds into my android ROM, then only thing that will remove it is with re-flashing the rom (This way a full wipe will just reload the app)

Anthonis

S0litaire wrote:

I've currently using prey on my laptop/desktop and android phone. Nothing except a hardware chip inside the device will survive a wipe but the average thief ain't to bright so would probably not wipe it before selling it on.
Though they probably will power it up and have a look through it to see what naughty pics they can find ^_~

That's when you catch them... lol


I'm currently looking into how to "hard bake" Prey + settingds into my android ROM, then only thing that will remove it is with re-flashing the rom (This way a full wipe will just reload the app)

Probably But it doesn't means that they will connect it to network:D With phones is another deal as they have IMEI, blah blah... But computers is just another story, where you have to admit that you can't do anything about it:D

S0litaire

Anthonis wrote: »

Probably But it doesn't means that they will connect it to network:D With phones is another deal as they have IMEI, blah blah... But computers is just another story, where you have to admit that you can't do anything about it:D

Most of these programs are designed to jump on any wifi or network it can find as soon as the laptop starts.

An the thieving git$ aren’t usually the brightest sparks in the box... lol
Also they will probably be tempted to see what banking/webmail they can get their hands on...

Anthonis

S0litaire wrote:

Most of these programs are designed to jump on any wifi or network it can find as soon as the laptop starts.

An the thieving git$ aren’t usually the brightest sparks in the box... lol
Also they will probably be tempted to see what banking/webmail they can get their hands on...

Well maybe here you win.... But still my vote goes for gps tracker. I don't think that thief gonna have signal jammer anyways:D

AirCooledHeaven

Mir! wrote: »

I can't decide if it would be a good idea or not.

Has anyone used it? Pros/Cons???

http://store.lojackforlaptops.com/store/absolute/en_GB/html/pbPage.en_GB-lojack-bogo-ipad/ThemeID.20245600?resid=TqVJKAoHAtcAADkoE6oAAAA7&rests=1319458930500

I don't see any reason not to go for it, it's free, you'll get two years before they ask for a subscription, and by then your situation will likely be completely different