macOS Script to locate/id stolen computer?

[idonotliketostu]

My sister's macbook got stolen today by a student (possibly). Then I just realized that she has dropbox on her computer which automatically downloads files from the dropbox website.

So help me brainstorm on ways to write a script to take control of the computer without the thief knowing it's being taken control of. I just need access to the isight camera and take a picture of the thief and upload that to dropbox.

Actually I just need a self initializing script, if that is even possible.

 

[angelwatt]

So you essentially want to load the dropbox account with a trojan and get your sister's machine to sync up with it so it becomes infected with the trojan. Not likely happening. The trojan would need to get installed. This all insinuates that the thief has access to the account. Did your sister have a password on the machine? If not, shame on her.

Your best bet is to contact dropbox and see if they'll send the IP address used to sync with it next and try to get help from the police tracing the IP. That's a long shot too though.

You want to install security software before the incident, not after.

 

[miles01110]

Your best bet is to contact dropbox and see if they'll send the IP address used to sync with it next and try to get help from the police tracing the IP. That's a long shot too though.

Actually I'd recommend having the police contact DropBox. I would be astounded if DropBox just handed over information like that to an individual, police report in hand or not.

 

[angelwatt]

Actually I'd recommend having the police contact DropBox. I would be astounded if DropBox just handed over information like that to an individual, police report in hand or not.

Well I figure they would be asking about their own account so it wouldn't seem unreasonable to Dropbox to give it if they're asking from a logged in account. A lot of police departments wouldn't be willing to contact the web site for the info, many are not too tech-savvy.

 

[idonotliketostu]

Okay so it seems like its its impossible but is there a program or script that can be pre-installed in all of our computers that can be called up on command? Sort of like a dormant app but is always ready to work when the computer is connected to the internet and has the specific passphrase to activate it. That would be awesome.

 

[notjustjay]

Okay so it seems like its its impossible but is there a program or script that can be pre-installed in all of our computers that can be called up on command? Sort of like a dormant app but is always ready to work when the computer is connected to the internet and has the specific passphrase to activate it. That would be awesome.

Yes, there are programs that you can install like Orbicule's Undercover. Once you report the Mac is stolen, it will begin phoning home to their servers, hopefully producing info (like photos of the thief) which the police can use.