How to locate a laptop...

No, my laptop wasn't stolen. That said, I recently sunk a substantial amount of dollars into hardware. No method is fool proof against a competent thief. At least none that I know of. Does anyone suggest a type of software or method of potentially locating a stolen laptop? I'm not so much worried about losing personal identifiable information as I am the laptop itself.

While I understand no method is fool proof, does anyone have any real world examples and suggestions for keeping their computers safe... aside from the obvious lock doors, don't leave stuff visible in your car, etc etc...

Some form of peace of mind is nice to have.

a reply to: EternalSolace

some ideas

Thing is, what can you do about it then? I've read far too many reports about people who know what addresses have been used by their stolen computers, but have been unable to get ISPs and even law enforcement to get involved and track down the stolen hardware. The ISPs simply are not going to co-operate with you, and law enforcement responses can range wildly. While there may be a few exceptional individuals who will help track a stolen laptop, from what I have read one should not be at all surprised to get a less helpful response from law enforcement.

If you follow that to a conclusion, SWAT is not going to raid a burglary or fence ring to retrieve your laptop. If you are really lucky a raid will result in confiscation of stolen goods and your serial number will be matched to your name. In some random parallel universe you will get a phone call to come down to the station and identify your property.

a reply to: intrptr

From your source:

Perhaps a script that sends an email with the IP address every time the computer connects to the internet? Or is there already something out there like that in the Open Source community?"

I wonder if that's even a possibility. I will Google into that further.

That said, I wonder if there's something that can be done on the bios level to prevent the cleaning of the hdd. Perhaps even a bios level (program?) that can locate a device...

It depends of the IQ of the person stealing it, if I nabbed it then probably zero chance you'd get it back as I know what i'm doing.

There was a video a good while ago where some idiot sneaked into somewhere and stole an apple computer and given they didn't know much just used it and he was able to get in and get the ISP details and the fact he liked big booty Brazilian porn etc and he got the machine back and he gave a lecture at some event on how he did it.

Probably the best trick would be to pop a GPS transmitter linked to the battery into the system as thus the more they use it the more you can track them down.

a reply to: Maxatoria

Some run of the mill thief isn't exactly what I'm worried about. It's exactly as you've stated, a competent thief there is hardly a defense against. However, competent thieves aren't in an abundance. I 'm just interested in defending against opportunistic thieves who jack an item and try to pawn it. Or something of that sort.

A lot of times stupidity is the downfall of thieves.

a reply to: EternalSolace

That said, I wonder if there's something that can be done on the bios level to prevent the cleaning of the hdd. Perhaps even a bios level (program?) that can locate a device...

That is addressed in the link.

Read on, some options are deterrent, pretty funny too.

I believe if you have a google account, and it's linked to your laptop you can see the location any time you wish (if it's switched on that is).

a reply to: GreenGunther

You can. That said, it's useless if a person decides to wipe your hard drive.

a reply to: Maxatoria

Ahhhh , I remember this one from ages ago .
I've not been keeping tabs on it but it looks like Justice was served eventually .

NB theres a lot of comments and images that some may/will find offensive in this Chap's blog :-

plumpergeddon.tumblr.com...

www.theregister.co.uk...

originally posted by: Maxatoria
It depends of the IQ of the person stealing it, if I nabbed it then probably zero chance you'd get it back as I know what i'm doing.

There was a video a good while ago where some idiot sneaked into somewhere and stole an apple computer and given they didn't know much just used it and he was able to get in and get the ISP details and the fact he liked big booty Brazilian porn etc and he got the machine back and he gave a lecture at some event on how he did it.

Probably the best trick would be to pop a GPS transmitter linked to the battery into the system as thus the more they use it the more you can track them down.

Can you get through 4 attack trained Belgium Malinois sheps, 5 shotguns and a high powered 7.62 semi automatic rifle before finding my laptop in my underground bog?

a reply to: Lagomorphe

May I borrow your armored attack hounds to guard my $1600 gaming laptop? I promise to feed them...

you could install software or buy a small tracking device and embed it into your laptop , software can be immobilized , a physical tracker must be removed.

originally posted by: EternalSolace
a reply to: Lagomorphe

May I borrow your armored attack hounds to guard my $1600 gaming laptop? I promise to feed them...

Of course you can... Once they have finished chewing on the postman...