[Stradlater]

My bike was stolen last night, which made me think about how terrible it would be to lose my computer. Are there any prevention measures that could be taken?

Is it possible to create a script that runs when a computer first establishes a connection to the internet? Would it be possible to make that script harness the computer's mail server and send an email of the outside IP address (avoiding router IP addresses from being sent) to the computer user's email? Maybe have the computer use a proxy server to avoid things (routers and such) from preventing the email from getting out?

On top of all that, is it possible to run such scripts without being logged in? Or do connections only occur after a user has logged in? Maybe setting a "dummy" user would be better to have start up by default?

I don't mind filtering my Mail.app's contents to an IMAP folder of IP addresses and have them automatically weed out after a month or so, and I can see how this information could potentially be lifesaving.

Any help?

Any suggestions on top of my own?

Any completely separate suggestions?

[alligator]

Better yet, install a GPS Lojack system so you can track where the laptop is at all times. I wouldn't worry so much about it, and just make sure it is insured and that your data is backed up. That way, if it is stolen, you get to buy a brand new computer!

[Xeo]

Since I own a laptop, I should probably take advantage of one of these, but there is software which is made to do some of those exact things and for that specific purpose.

[Stradlater]

Thanks for the link, Xeo. Couldn't think of a simple search, myself

[ajprice]

Maybe you could use some more physical types of theft prevention to stop it going in the first place, rather than software that runs once it's gone.

[mitchell_pgh]

Do what I did and paint the computer pink, add fringe and a "I heart Michael Jackson" sticker.

It's hard to get people to even stay in the same room, but it's a little awkward at company meetings.

[Stradlater]

Eh, I do regular backups, but that still doesn't mean I couldn't lose vital data. I've had three friends who've had their laptops stolen in the past two years, and insurance doesn't always cover everything. It'd be nice to have the extra insurance of the software Xeo provided.

Anyways, when someone breaks into a locked area of your residence, and you sleep the night only to discover a few things missing the next day, with traces of rummaging, maybe you'd understand my reaction a little better. I might end up just leaving it up to "fate," though.