Author: dwilliams, Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: Laptop tracking hardware ---- Hi all,
Has any one used or have heard of a piece of hardware installed inside of a laptop that helps track a stolen laptop?
I have heard of such a thing but cannot remember the name. It connects inside and uses the MAC address to track its whereabouts.
Any help or suggestions would be helpful.
Cheers,
Dennis
Author: AdamV, Location: Leeds, UKPosted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: ---- One simple and cheap option is a hard-to-remove tag which deters thieves intent on reselling your hardware. If found (eg by police, or just an honest citizen), these usually have a unique serial number / barcode to aid in getting your stuff back. Example of these:
http://www.stoptheft.com/
pro: cheap, simple
con: does not activiely get your machine back, allowing someone to try and get your data or just keep the hardware for themselves.
Note that Absolute are still pursuing a patent infringement case they brought against Stealth Signals Inc who then counter-claimed based on a prior patent - this has been ongoing since 2004. Some info here on Stealth's website: http://www.stealthsignal.com/patent.aspx. Stealth Signals sold their xTools product and intellectual property to Phoenix Technologies (linked above).
Author: dwilliams, Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: ---- I did a quick check on the absolute website. My concern with a software based solution would be that someone would format the laptop. I would assume that this would then also remove the tracking software.
This is why I think a hardware based system would be best. First they would hve to know that there is a piece of hardware tracking the system and then would have to remove it. By this time, I would hope they would be caught.
Thanks for the info though, any help is greatly appreciated.
Dennis
Author: AdamV, Location: Leeds, UKPosted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: ---- It respawns from the BIOS:
Author: Tom Bair, Location: Portland, Oregon USAPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: ---- My sister (smart one she is) superglued a pet tracking microchip to the inside underneath of her DVD drive on her laptop, then registered her laptop as a pet with the tracking service.
It's been almost a year, and she hasn't lost the laptop yet; but we both assume this will work. However, as of this date - it's untested
Author: markaron, Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject: Security software ---- mind giving some resources also? for laptop security?
Author: AdamV, Location: Leeds, UKPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: ---- Sorry Mark, I don't understand your question, can you be clearer what sort of resources you are after?