Take advantage of tracking
It’s all well and good to have insurance and a backup system, but what if you actually want to get your hardware?
Apple computers with Mac OS X 10.7 are equipped with “Find My Mac” and “Find My iPhone”, two similar pieces of software that can run on Apple’s iCloud website. Simply setup your notebook ahead of time with your login details. If you do have to make use of the service, just log in and have it track your device.
But what if you’ve got a PC? Or a Mac without the latest version of Mac OS?
Prey is designed to let you track a gadget – Windows PC, Mac, iPhone or Android device – using a small piece of tracking software and a communication to the Prey website.
After installing the software to your notebook, phone or tablet and setting up an account (which supports up to three device), you can start tracking from Prey’s website.
From the site you can report a device as missing or found for own reporting needs, which will activate some of the following security features: send an alert to the stolen device as a message, a sound, and even force the machine to stop working until a password of your own choosing is entered.
What’s more, once it’s been established that the laptop has been stolen, you’ll receive a report based on criteria you’ve selected in the Prey control panel. This can include the notebook’s location on Google Maps and which apps are running.
Using your notebook’s webcam, Prey can also grab a mug shot of the person currently using your notebook.
Take these the local police station and you have some real evidence upon which they can act.
Of course, Prey needs to be installed on your computer before it’s stolen. It also needs the internet to function, so whoever steals your PC will need to get online before you can start tracking them down.
Any hints on securing a desktop?
Some desktops support the Kensington lock, so that’ll secure it to a spot.
On the software side, Prey does work, although the webcam feature may not.
What sort of security were you looking for?
Physical security, basically to deter a thief. I do regular backups but I just don’t like the thought of someone getting access to all my photos, emails etc.
A decent password will help, but check to see if the back of your case has a Kensington lock, or something like it. Possibly even a key to lock down the case.
If it does, great. Chances are you won’t be moving the desktop computer very often, so it’s not that big of an ask.
I had someone break into my locked suitcase and steal my laptop out of my hotel room on the Gold Coast….need to be careful everywhere these days