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Best Way To Get Back a Stolen Computer?

davidphogan74 writes "I have some stolen computers checking in with a server we have (software pre-loaded), and I have full access to the systems. What's the best way to deal with this situation? The local police (to the theft) have been contacted several times and seem to be clueless. I personally have no financial interest in these computers, I just don't like atom-thieves. What's the best way to handle knowing the IPs, email addresses, MySpace sites, the Google login, etc. when working with law enforcement? The officer I spoke with (who genuinely seemed to care) didn't know an IP address from a mailing address, so I called others. Nobody cared. Anyone have any ideas?"

36 of 482 comments (clear)

  1. You need to go beyond the law. by FlyingSquidStudios · · Score: 5, Funny

    You need Snake Plissken.

    1. Re:You need to go beyond the law. by kidyomo · · Score: 5, Funny

      Snake Plissken? I heard he was dead.

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    2. Re:You need to go beyond the law. by JDWTopGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, but I thought he'd be taller.

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  2. Change the background pic by Timo_UK · · Score: 5, Funny

    to Goatse?

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  3. First idea by mrroot · · Score: 3, Funny

    First, I would check the airport.

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  4. Obvious Solution by Elliot_Lin · · Score: 2, Funny

    If they don't matter just give them up perhaps? Or make a loop to toggle the CD tray repeatedly - just to annoy the hell out of em - trigger the internal speaker too. If they don't matter you'd be better off having some fun irritating the thieves than putting in the effort of tracking em down.

    1. Re:Obvious Solution by flyingfsck · · Score: 3, Funny

      Play them country music 24/7/365 - or maybe that is too cruel, even for a thief...

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  5. Treat it as an Open Source problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Become a cop and solve it yourself.

    1. Re:Treat it as an Open Source problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      If it's an open source problem, it's very likely that it's already been fixed in CVS. Just make sure you have the latest GCC (GNU Crimefighting Compiler) and when you do run your autoconfig, make, make install, be sure to run it in a chroot jail.

  6. The same we you resolve all problems on a computer by numbski · · Score: 4, Funny

    First you go get a gun, then you run around shooting complete strangers (don't worry - they'll respawn eventually), and make your way toward any glowing switches you happen to find. For no apparent reason, this will advance you toward your goal of getting your computer back.

    OH! Don't forget to find a good spot to spawn camp to get your frag numbers up! I hear the nursery ward at the hospital tends to be a good camping spot...

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  7. Help 911! by nanospook · · Score: 3, Funny

    If they hook up a modem, have it call 911 and hang up. Have it do this over and over.. they will get a visit! If you can figure out how, have the computer place the call and play back a synthesized speech explaining that this computer belongs to you and is stolen.

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  8. xkcd has the answer by PinkyDead · · Score: 5, Funny

    Something similiar to: http://www.xkcd.com/440/

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  9. Set it to download kiddie porn... by ClarisseMcClellan · · Score: 5, Funny

    If the police will not help you then set it to up/download dubious content. They will be round like a shot. You might get nicked visiting a FBI kiddie-porn honey trap during your research for this though...
    Maybe try the RIAA. Claim that it has downloaded an Amy Winehouse track or something like that.

    1. Re:Set it to download kiddie porn... by PIBM · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well he has full access so he can do the search from the notebook and get perfect results :)

    2. Re:Set it to download kiddie porn... by wdhowellsr · · Score: 4, Funny

      Better yet setup a bot on the computer to constantly ping the NSA, DHS and CIA. You won't get your computer back but he'll probably see a black van pulling up within a few minutes.

  10. Easy! Make some money. by chalkyj · · Score: 3, Funny

    Record their credit card details then charge them for the computer they "bought". :)

  11. Re:Across State lines? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or make the computers send a death threat to each member of the congress and executive office (including the candidates) then the FBI moves in, and at the impounded auction you can buy it back for pennies on the dollar.

  12. PowerSolution by Archon-X · · Score: 5, Funny

    Call the cops back, tell them not to worry about following up the theft, as you just went around and shot the thief.

    See how fast they scuttle ;)

  13. Re:You need to use the police to get the ISP's inf by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you have monitoring software on the computer, just wait until they do some sort of financial transaction using the company machine.

    Then just use the info to order a few dozen more PC's at their expense, and send them an email saying you won't tell if they won't.

  14. Obvious by Ctrl-Z · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team.

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    1. Re:Obvious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I preferred the justice delivered by The Equalizer (http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Equalizer)

  15. Re:Across State lines? by JoeMirando · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or make the computers send a death threat to each member of the congress and executive office (including the candidates)...

    I've got to admit that this appeals to me. Just don't sign it "Osama" or mention WMDs... It seems there are some things they're just not interested in finding. [g]

  16. This is Slashdot. by dr_dank · · Score: 4, Funny

    Phone analogy? This is Slashdot. It's car analogy or GTFO.

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    1. Re:This is Slashdot. by wellingj · · Score: 2, Funny

      Onstar.

  17. Re:If you don't care about getting them back... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Agreed, you have to at least make the computer explode like a bunch of C4 when they hit the Esc key...

  18. Re:Take a picture by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well I'm just too lazy to mod you up then.

    +/-0 lazy git

  19. Re:Seems to be common these days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, duct tape your computer to your irrigation controller, and everything will be OK?

  20. Or connect it to by goombah99 · · Score: 2, Funny

    An irrigation system as that seems to get a system recovered.

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  21. Harold and Kumar go to Guantanamo by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Or send a threatening note to the white house along with pictures of swarthy people in turbans. Fast track them to Guantanamo.

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    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  22. Re:You need to use the police to get the ISP's inf by Firehed · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, pretend to call as the RIAA.

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  23. easy... by painehope · · Score: 4, Funny

    Trace them via the physical layer, and then contact me. 3K USD for the laptop, or 90K for the laptop and their head in a cooler.

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  24. Re:You need to use the police to get the ISP's inf by tsm_sf · · Score: 2, Funny

    Move along, sir.

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  25. Re:Use a phone analogy? by clone53421 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "It's like a stolen donut, and I have the address of the hole..."

    Ok, maybe that analogy needs work.

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  26. Re:You have remote root? A few ideas :-) by nospam007 · · Score: 2, Funny

    You said you didn't care about the money, so install kiddie porn/dirty bomb plans/some other terorist shit on their machines.
    Then send from their email some death threats to the worlds most loved politician(s).
    That should get them some heat.

  27. Re:Go to a lawyer by russotto · · Score: 2, Funny

    What is the point of paying taxes to fund law enforcement if anybody who is the victim of a crime has to mount their own investigation and civil prosecution.

    You don't pay taxes to fund law enforcement so they'll investigate people who commit crimes against you. You pay taxes to fund law enforcement so they don't come and take your property away and/or throw you in jail. It's a protection racket, nothing more.

  28. Re:You have remote root? A few ideas :-) by The+Great+Pretender · · Score: 3, Funny

    Use Vista, then they'd probably send it back to you with a sympathy card

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