questions about notebook secruity and theft

[spartan015]

ok one time my friend got his laptop jacked from well idk, we nvr did find it, i dont even know wat kind it was. anyhow i was reading something about how u can track down notebooks (like they steal it then sell it on ebay) and that if the laptop access the internet it shows where it is or something, and on top of that unless u have a hard drive swap there is a hidden prog. is it true? like if i didnt have an IBM with the finger print, or teh HP with the smart card reader, how do i get back laptops? just wondering cuz one of my class mates got his stolen, an alienware...

[Dark Nova]

Originally Posted by spartan015 how do i get back laptops? just wondering cuz one of my class mates got his stolen, an alienware...

If the guy is smart, he would of re-install windows. if not, there might be a possible chance to track it if he connects to the internet. Im pretty sure that if you contact windows and tell them about your problem, next time your windows xp key on the net will be tracked

[pam123]

Originally Posted by spartan015 ok one time my friend got his laptop jacked from well idk, we nvr did find it, i dont even know wat kind it was. anyhow i was reading something about how u can track down notebooks (like they steal it then sell it on ebay) and that if the laptop access the internet it shows where it is or something, and on top of that unless u have a hard drive swap there is a hidden prog. is it true? like if i didnt have an IBM with the finger print, or teh HP with the smart card reader, how do i get back laptops? just wondering cuz one of my class mates got his stolen, an alienware...

Lojack for laptops : http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/467

Worth the $50 a year if you use a laptop some place where it can go missing.

The average thief isn't going to be swapping hard drives or reformatting and he'll be nabbed the first time he tries to use it on the net.

[Jaggannath]

Interesting Pam... I could see why commercial companies might want to wipe the HDD, but what use would that be to me?? Obviously recovering it would be ideal, but it's definitely food for thought

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Jaggannath Interesting Pam... I could see why commercial companies might want to wipe the HDD, but what use would that be to me?? Obviously recovering it would be ideal, but it's definitely food for thought

As a student or private indivdual none (unless there's something on that laptop that shouldn't be there ).
That's stricitly a corporate safeguard so you can always nix that option.
What's amazing is the 30 day limit or you get your money back.
Surprise appearences on e-bay not withstanding (and I suspect airport thieves are pros ) that means that laptops and their thieves don't travel far from the point of origin.

[thefultonhow]

Frankly, the best solution is just to put it on your homeowner's insurance plan, or get renter's insurance. That way even if you can't get it back, it's covered.

[glc]

A Kensington lock is a worthwhile investment if you have to leave it unattended.

[Statica]

Targus has good cheap ones that rely on the kensington port .. except these have a great motion sensor alarm in 2 sensitivity levels that you can optionall engage as well. Cricket had found this: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=136184 I still dont feel it's very effective but you could check it.

[spartan015]

oh interesting, hmmm i should let my friend know that. thanks for all the information.