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macintologist · Jan 23, 2004, 12:11 PM

Let's say my beautiful 12" PB is stolen. It would be nice if I had a program on my PB that when connected to the internet, would send a report secretly to a remote server detailing the IP address and such so that when my PB is stolen I can track where it is. Is there any such a program (it would have to run as a daemon)?

iNeusch · Jan 23, 2004, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by macintologist:
Let's say my beautiful 12" PB is stolen. It would be nice if I had a program on my PB that when connected to the internet, would send a report secretly to a remote server detailing the IP address and such so that when my PB is stolen I can track where it is. Is there any such a program (it would have to run as a daemon)?

maybe a simple command could be executed at login or in a cron task
that would require you to activate the built-in mail server, just to be sure the mail will be sent from every provider

i think it's a good idea

Akai · Jan 23, 2004, 12:22 PM

check out www.pcphonehome.com (yes they have a Mac version as well)

It apparently does just what you asked for, aswell they will help you track down the missing laptop and report it to the authorities.

I havn't used it myself so I couldn't comment on it, it just came up in a conversation one time.

iNeusch · Jan 23, 2004, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by Akai:
check out www.pcphonehome.com (yes they have a Mac version as well)

I apparently does just what you asked for, aswell they will help you track down the missing laptop and report it to the authorities.

a free version must be (quite) easy to make... no ?

Akai · Jan 23, 2004, 12:29 PM

sure why not. Just about any software you could try to develop for free for yourself, but this just saves you the hassle.

Some people out there don't know how to write these things

and it might give someone the peace of mind knowing that you have someone to call up and complain to if it doesn't work.

typoon · Jan 23, 2004, 12:51 PM

from what I understand from the PCPhonehome people is that is installs on the Firmware or something anf prevents people from removing the software. If they remove parts I believe it keeps some info of the part that was removed so that you can retrieve the whole machine back. It's pretty good from what I hear. I've not tried it yet though I plan on it maybe today or tomorrow.

cenutrio · Jan 23, 2004, 12:56 PM

A good security idea may be for Apple to use the "software update".

Lets imagine that a computer is stolen. In most cases, the thieves will perform a clean install (of course, if they can). However, it would be great that when the computer logs in the Apple site to check for new software updates, the computer identifies itself with the serial number, if the owner does report to Apple, Apple may have set up some kind of software that recognizes and records the new owner, address, phone, direction, IP, etc...Very easy and useful information to report to the police.

If no clean install is performed, the hardware would be located via IP, server, etc.

Of course, the original owner must approve that Apple may use their tools to get such information. Still, I consider it a pretty good method for localizing stolen hardware.

May be I'm wrong, but I do consider it a feasible method for avoiding thieves to get to attached to Apple hardware. Any ideas?

cenutrio

typoon · Jan 23, 2004, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by cenutrio:
A good security idea may be for Apple to use the "software update".

Lets imagine that a computer is stolen. In most cases, the thieves will perform a clean install (of course, if they can). However, it would be great that when the computer logs in the Apple site to check for new software updates, the computer identifies itself with the serial number, if the owner does report to Apple, Apple may have set up some kind of software that recognizes and records the new owner, address, phone, direction, IP, etc...Very easy and useful information to report to the police.

If no clean install is performed, the hardware would be located via IP, server, etc.

Of course, the original owner must approve that Apple may use their tools to get such information. Still, I consider it a pretty good method for localizing stolen hardware.

May be I'm wrong, but I do consider it a feasible method for avoiding thieves to get to attached to Apple hardware. Any ideas?

cenutrio

I believe this is something similar to what PCPhonehome does. It doesn't allow for you to boot from a CD to reformat the drive.

cenutrio · Jan 23, 2004, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by typoon:
I believe this is something similar to what PCPhonehome does. It doesn't allow for you to boot from a CD to reformat the drive.

My point is that even in the case the thieves install a new system, when the computer does activate software update, Apple (previously reported by the original owner) does recognize the hardware that just pluged in their server, reconizes it as stolen, and reportes all possible information about the new "owner" and the computer location to the police. I thinks is feasible.

If they thieves do not install anything, at least the computer may be localized when it does conect to Apple servers.

Another idea, would be for software update to download to any stolen computer a software that encourage the thieves to return it to the police or something more drastic.

New ideas will be welcome.

but my point is that Apple has the power and information to make this work.

typoon · Jan 23, 2004, 01:34 PM

What happens if a computer�s hard drive is removed?
The MacPhoneHome? stealth application resides on the hard drive. If the protected hard drive is plugged into another computer, MacPhoneHome? will continue to operate and send its stealth message. Once received, this information will be investigated and utilized in the recovery process.
15. What if the thief formats my hard drive? MacPhoneHome? is highly tamper-proof. When MacPhoneHome? is properly installed with the Apple firmware upgrade, the formatting or reinstallation of the operating system is not possible. That means a thief cannot �wipe� your hard drive. See our �Hardening your Computer� tutorial for additional information on this subject.

fizzlemynizzle · Jan 23, 2004, 01:38 PM

no thanks on the big brother serial number tracking stuff. if intel or microsoft tried that stuff you people would be throwing fits.

iNeusch · Jan 23, 2004, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by fizzlemynizzle:
no thanks on the big brother serial number tracking stuff. if intel or microsoft tried that stuff you people would be throwing fits.

I agree

I would

Dr Reducto · Jan 23, 2004, 02:44 PM

They can be disabled, but it beyond the capabilities of most thieves to do so.

cambro · Jan 23, 2004, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by fizzlemynizzle:
no thanks on the big brother serial number tracking stuff. if intel or microsoft tried that stuff you people would be throwing fits.

Yup...