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Another Stab at Laptop Security

Posted by timothy on from the wonder-if-it's-linux-friendly dept.

kogus writes "LoJack is licensing its brand name to Absolute Software, which provides Computrace -- soon to be known as the 'LoJack for Laptops' line of computer theft recovery systems. When a stolen Computrace-equipped system is connected to the Internet, it automatically and silently sends locating data to Absolute Software, which then calls out the law. In some cases, Absolute Software customers are eligible for a $1,000 guarantee payment when a stolen system is not recovered within 60 days.

7 of 316 comments (clear)

  1. Yay by Nick+of+NSTime · · Score: 3, Funny

    My PowerBook cost more than $1000.

  2. manufacturers by JimmyJava · · Score: 5, Funny

    should build this into the hardware or the bios. i know if i stole a computer i wouldn't be in a rush to plug into the internet. unless of course it's a windows machine, in which case i've got a good solid 12 minutes to play around with it.

  3. Most Stolen Laptops are stripped within minutes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The bastards have even developed very tiny cinder blocks which they leave the empty laptop skeletons propped on.

  4. huh? by zoloto · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...you insensitive clod???

  5. Re:Not secure at all. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Blocking outgoing traffic on a possibly random port with a firewall isn't as easy to do as you'd think.

    Nah, it's easy. Just set Inside Any -> Outside Any -> Service Any -> Deny and hit then add it ^&^&^&$&%&^[NO CARRIER]

  6. Re:Call out the law?? by joe_bruin · · Score: 3, Funny

    That IP address and its owner will be promptly banned from the Internet.

  7. Better than some other options by ravenspear · · Score: 4, Funny

    Profit $300 for 60 days work

    Well, if you work in IT, at least you'd be getting a raise.