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Laptop theft prevention thoughts please.

OttawaGuy

OttawaGuy

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 28, 2006
541
37
Laptop theft prevention thoughts please.
Hi there.
My boss has indicated that there is money in our budget for new equipment.

I would like to ask for a macbook. I have heard through the grapevine that he is concerned about theft.
We use expensive equipment all the time. I think if I can demonstrate that a reasonable level of prevention can be taken, I will be able to convince him.
So, does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

So far I have considered...
Locks...

microsaver alarmed lock
http://us.kensington.com/html/6311.html


software alarms
http://orbicule.com/undercover/
http://semaja2.net/archives/17

Thanks!
 
Try to find a laptop bag that doesn't look like a laptop bag, or use some other kind of bag instead, like a backpack or something. A lock is a good idea but breaking it is only a matter of a quick snip from a prepared thief. Never let the laptop out of your sight, and those alarms sound like a good idea.
 
Hi, Thanks.
I remember an article a while back that told you how to set up your boot screen with any graphic you wanted, You could put your name and number and a message about a reward after theft on it.
I'm still looking for the article, I'll post a link when I find it.
 
OttawaGuy said:
Hi, Thanks.
I remember an article a while back that told you how to set up your boot screen with any graphic you wanted, You could put your name and number and a message about a reward after theft on it.
I'm still looking for the article, I'll post a link when I find it.
Click to expand...

"you can change the wallpaper appearing behind the login screen. The wallpaper used is found at Library/Desktop Pictures/Aqua Blue.jpg, which is the default wallpaper. Duplicate it first for posterity (I named my copy Aqua Blue 2.jpg), then you can edit the original Aqua Blue.jpg or replace it with another wallpaper of the same name. I used this method to add a "reward" notice to the wallpaper on my PowerBook."
http://dotmac.info/tips/42
 
Also you can set a boot password in Open Firmware. I know that the Intel Macs don't have Open Firmware but maybe they have an equivalent (no experience with them). Set your account to not auto-login on boot, and put a lock on the screensaver, set to some low time, like 5 minutes... keep your important files on an encrypted disk image. None of this will protect the laptop from theft, but it will protect your data.

Have the laptop insured. :)
 
KingYaba said:
That LoJack things actully sounds pretty good.
Click to expand...

IMHO, the LoJack is inferior compared to the orbicle undercover. LoJack is more expensive ($50) than the undercover ($30), and the undercover has the ability to use the isight camera to take pictures of the thief without him/her knowing it-if I was your boss, I'd be impressed with that! It also checks with the database more often than LoJack to see if it's stolen (LoJack 15 min, Undercover 6 min). When I get my macbook, I plan on buying undercover.

BTW, from discussions that I cannot find right now, it was stated that most alarm systems for current intel macs are not completely universal yet, causing their alarms to go off at weird times, so you might want to hold off for now.
 
Well, I think it is almost impossible to completely secure your gear. At some point common sense and personal responsibility have to come into play,
I just want to take reasonable precautions.
 
The thing about Lojack and Undercover is they are both software based. What if the guy steals your laptop, finds that s/he doesn't have your login password, warez a copy of OSX from somewhere, wipes out your OS, and reinstalls everything?

If Undercover is able to poll the server without your user account being logged in that'd be amazing, like it runs as a system service or something, but don't you need to be able to log in to configure wireless networking in most cases?
 
drummerbooker14 said:
ialertu
Click to expand...

thats just annoying and doesnt limit you from using the computer

even though it could potentially alert you if you were in the vicinity, it's useless in terms of retrieving it once stolen.
 
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