[keno1024]

My Ibook was recently stolen. I think it was stolen by somebody on my campus. I need to know if it is possible for a network admin. to find the serial number on the network. Does the ibook broadcast its' serial number?

Thanks

[Voch]

While the iBook doesn't broadcast its serial number without additional software, a network admin may be able to find the unique MAC address of the iBook's ethernet port and Airport card if someone joins the campus network. The MAC address, or ethernet address, is a unique 12-digit-hexidecimal identifier for a piece of network hardware, and your iBook will have at least one (the ethernet port) and possibly two (the AirPort card). I'm not sure you knew your iBook's MAC address(es), though (I only know mine because I restrict access to my LAN at home using MAC addresses).

Voch

[discotronic]

Voch is correct. If you don't know your iBook's MAC address you can look on the box that it came in when you bought it. I am not sure but you might be able to contact Apple for the information. The MAC address is only used one time and it is unique to one ethernet card or wireless card.

It is possible that the iBook would send it's serial number to Apple if the person who stole it where to reinstall the OS and send the registration. I would think that would be highly unlikely. However, if someone where low enough to steal something they are probably not a smart person to begin with.

Good luck with getting your laptop back. Let us know what happens.

[keno1024]

Thanks a lot for your help. I will keep you posted.

Billy

[GSixZero]

The MAC address is printed on the box your computer came in, so if you still have the box, you can get the ethernet and airport MAC addresses from there. Take them to the System admin and see what s/he can do for you.

[Voch]

That's cool that the MAC address is on the computer's box. I never noticed that...

Voch

[Mojo]

My condolences regarding your pilfered iBook.

In case people are reconsidering the basic security of their Macs, here are a few reminders about how to keep your Mac reasonably safe:

1. Disable automatic log-in. Require a password after wake from sleep or screensaver.

2. Set an Open Firmware Password. This can be defeated, but not nearly as easily as the basic administrator password.

3. Encrypt any data that you care about, using FileVault or a third-party program. Use Web Confidential or a similar encrypted program for storing passwords and other personal information.

4. Lock up portable Macs. The Notebook Guardian ComboLock is highly recommended in the May 2005 MacWorld.

5. Consider subscribing to a service like Stealth Signal that helps determine a stolen computer's location so that it can be recovered. Stealth Signal can be defeated by reformatting the hard drive, but many crooks want to either make a quick sale complete with the installed software or they are after the personal information on the computer. Or they may just want to use the computer themselves. In these cases Stealth Signal may be just the thing to ruin a thief's day. A removed drive can still be traced if it isn't reformatted. Stealth Signal recommends using Open Firmware Password in order to make reformatting difficult to do. (Apparently the price has gone up since SecureMac was last updated; computer location service runs $49 per year.)

I realize that this information won't help get back the stolen iBook, but it may help protect others from being victimized.