What Are the Best Laptop Theft Recovery Measures?

BarlowBrad writes "Yesterday my house was broken into and among other things two laptops were stolen. Getting past the feeling of violation, I am looking to the future and how to both prevent theft and recover computers should it happen again. I have found various services that claim to track and recover stolen laptops such as LoJack for Laptops, Computrace, GadgetTrak and Undercover, but I (obviously) have no experience with any of them. I also know that Intel will be coming out with a new anti-theft technology chip, but that isn't supposed to come out until the fourth quarter and I'll be replacing the laptops before then. Does Slashdot have a recommendation between these services or suggestions for another?" Read on for a related question about automating this process. BarlowBrad continues: "I have also wondered if there is a 'home brew' solution that I could cook up myself. I'm not an elite programmer, but I am somewhat computer savvy and open to ideas. At least one of the replacement laptops will have to be a Windows machine, but the other may be a Mac or run Linux, so ideally I'd want a solution for multiple platforms. 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?"

Comments

Re:Recovery, Not. Denial, Maybe.

[alanshot]

You would be surprised. Cops LOVE computrace. The know that generally when they go to find a laptop using this service, they will find OTHER criminal activity in the process.

One example computrace boasts is the chop shop that was inadvertantly raided thanks to a computrace recovery.

Besides, Computrace makes it easy on the cops. they get directions to the loot. No real investigative hassle on thier part.

Best home theft deterrent?

[pongo000]

Can't help you with getting your laptops back, but I can give you a suggestion on how to force lowlife scum to pick your neighbor's house next time:

Dogs.

Not necessarily big, but loud. Most fucksticks who want your stuff don't want to deal with dogs, as there are far easier pickings right down the road. We have three. Homes have been broken into on either side of me, multiple times. I don't believe it's luck. Two border collies and a lab are simply a wrench in the works of a simple-minded shithead.

Believe me, someone wants in your house badly enough, no number of dogs, alarms, etc. will stop them. But the chances of someone wanting your stuff that badly are probably nil, and if they are willing to kill your dogs to get your stuff, they'll probably kill you too.

Dogs are the ticket. Think about it.

Better Sticker:

[Em Ellel]

"Cellular GPS LoJack Id: 81231982
  If found contact: 123-456-7890"

If you are savy enough, hack BIOS to display the same message at boot time (some BIOSes allow you to add your own images - thats one way, or add message to MBR)

Better yet, on boot print "GPS position is acquired and transmitted."

Probably won't get your laptop back, but may mess with their heads and make them wonder if they are being tracked by hardware. ;-)

-Em