Anyone using a mac: Here's a free thief-tracking program

If you're like me and running a business, a stolen computer would probably screw you 8 ways to Sunday. HiddenApp is running a promo through January where you can download the program, which is a tracking program that you can activate if your computer gets stolen. I guess what it does is report the IP of the last known wifi transmission to their servers, and sets you up with iSight photos of the thief, as well as a google maps route to that IP, and other cool stuff.

I don't work for them or know anyone who does (before one of you gets on my case for it), but I just downloaded this and you usually need to pay for it, so I figured I'd pass it on.

http://hiddenapp.com/

mikekelley wrote in post #11494467
'what it does is report the IP of the last known wifi transmission to their servers, and sets you up with iSight photos of the thief, as well as a google maps route to that IP, and other cool stuff.

The google maps route is a waste of time - first off an IP address doesn't always map to the right physical area and even when it does it isn't accurate to anything more than the closest server at the ISP. The only ones who can map the exact location of an individual IP are the provider and they're only going to share that information with law enforcement and then only with the proper paperwork.
The physical location can be off by quite a bit - I've seen as much as 40-50 miles for Comcast business addresses and my home IP used to map 3-4 towns away - a 20 minute drive.
What is cool is when you show the web cam pictures around and someone recognizes the thief.
Thanks for the linky.

My solution is to use a laptop and keep either it or the hard drive with me. Since the HD slides out just as easily as the battery, I can slip it into my coat pocket without effort.

I do wonder how long it is until the comps and bigger equipment (400, 300, Mk IV, etc) all have tracking software installed. Of course the knowing thief will know that and just find a way to remove it, unless it's like some cars and the whole thing shuts down immediately without it.

What is your primary concern with laptop theft -- data deprivation or data theft? That is, are you screwed six ways to Sunday because a thief now has access to client photos and information or because you only have one copy of that information and it's on the computer?

If it's the latter, ALWAYS BACK UP! You should never have only one copy of an image anywhere, ever. When you do a photoshoot, if you dump your CF to your laptop, that CF should not be erased until you've mirrored those images onto another drive back at your studio. Always two copies at all times.

If it's the former, I'd reccomend a program called "Truecrypt". It's free and open source. If you select the "full system encryption" option, this program will force a password entry at system start. Without this password, the system will essentially be a brick; the entire drive is encrypted with strong cryptography and the contents of the drive are completely irretrievable. When my laptop boots, all that is displayed is a message that says "If found, call xxx-xxx-xxxx". Only by entering in my password will the system boot.

This makes the laptop harder to fence. Most people who steal laptops are doing it to fence at a pawnshop or somesuch for quick drug money. Rarely will a pawn owner accept a laptop if it boots to a screen that the pawner can't figure out how to get past. Rarely will a druggie have any idea how to reformat a hard drive and reload all software (nor will they have the motivation to do so).

Lastly, insure your laptop. You can usually get a rider on your homeowners/renters insurance for this. If it is stolen, get compensated and get a new one.

chakalakasp wrote in post #11496922
What is your primary concern with laptop theft -- data deprivation or data theft? That is, are you screwed six ways to Sunday because a thief now has access to client photos and information or because you only have one copy of that information and it's on the computer?

If it's the latter, ALWAYS BACK UP! You should never have only one copy of an image anywhere, ever. When you do a photoshoot, if you dump your CF to your laptop, that CF should not be erased until you've mirrored those images onto another drive back at your studio. Always two copies at all times.

If it's the former, I'd reccomend a program called "Truecrypt". It's free and open source. If you select the "full system encryption" option, this program will force a password entry at system start. Without this password, the system will essentially be a brick; the entire drive is encrypted with strong cryptography and the contents of the drive are completely irretrievable. When my laptop boots, all that is displayed is a message that says "If found, call xxx-xxx-xxxx". Only by entering in my password will the system boot.

This makes the laptop harder to fence. Most people who steal laptops are doing it to fence at a pawnshop or somesuch for quick drug money. Rarely will a pawn owner accept a laptop if it boots to a screen that the pawner can't figure out how to get past. Rarely will a druggie have any idea how to reformat a hard drive and reload all software (nor will they have the motivation to do so).

Lastly, insure your laptop. You can usually get a rider on your homeowners/renters insurance for this. If it is stolen, get compensated and get a new one.

easy.

I have three backups going at all times. It's not that. It's called "it would be a total pain in my ass to have to deal with it because I have clients breathing down my neck to get their photos delivered, replacing a computer via insurance doesn't happen overnight, and I wouldn't exactly want to deal with the increased bills I'm sure I'd be getting after claiming a $3200 computer."

chakalakasp wrote in post #11496922
What is your primary concern with laptop theft -- data deprivation or data theft? That is, are you screwed six ways to Sunday because a thief now has access to client photos and information or because you only have one copy of that information and it's on the computer?

If it's the latter, ALWAYS BACK UP! You should never have only one copy of an image anywhere, ever. When you do a photoshoot, if you dump your CF to your laptop, that CF should not be erased until you've mirrored those images onto another drive back at your studio. Always two copies at all times.

If it's the former, I'd reccomend a program called "Truecrypt". It's free and open source. If you select the "full system encryption" option, this program will force a password entry at system start. Without this password, the system will essentially be a brick; the entire drive is encrypted with strong cryptography and the contents of the drive are completely irretrievable. When my laptop boots, all that is displayed is a message that says "If found, call xxx-xxx-xxxx". Only by entering in my password will the system boot.

This makes the laptop harder to fence. Most people who steal laptops are doing it to fence at a pawnshop or somesuch for quick drug money. Rarely will a pawn owner accept a laptop if it boots to a screen that the pawner can't figure out how to get past. Rarely will a druggie have any idea how to reformat a hard drive and reload all software (nor will they have the motivation to do so).

Lastly, insure your laptop. You can usually get a rider on your homeowners/renters insurance for this. If it is stolen, get compensated and get a new one.

If your post is addressed to me, my primary concern is everything that arises with theft. My data is backed up, but it's located in the same place as my laptop. If I'm just going to McDonald's, I'm not going to go through lots of hoops, I'm going to yank the HD and stick it in my coat.

BITLOCKER !!! All my desktop and laptop systems have it enabled (except on test machine). At the most they get the hardware - but nobody's touching any of my data.

You should always have a back up stored offsite, just in case:

1. Your business or home burns down, then the computer and any onsite back up is likely to be lost
2. A thief takes everything they can get their hands on including your backup hard drive.

By offsite I mean somewhere other than where your main computer is located. As I have a fulltime job my offsite backup is located at my work.

If they steal my computer or laptop, I will just upgrade with the insurance claim. The only concern I would have is identity theft.

Paparazzo wrote in post #11509798
You should always have a back up stored offsite, just in case:
1. Your business or home burns down, then the computer and any onsite back up is likely to be lost
2. A thief takes everything they can get their hands on including your backup hard drive.
By offsite I mean somewhere other than where your main computer is located. As I have a fulltime job my offsite backup is located at my work.

Yep. That's why I stick the hard drive in my pocket.

That's actually a pretty horrible idea iyam.

mikekelley wrote in post #11509867
That's actually a pretty horrible idea iyam.

Why? Its buttoned up inside my coat and on my person. If I know where I am, I know where my HD is. No solution is perfect.

Why not just leave it in your computer and make a backup and store it off site...I think there's just too much that can go wrong by leaving it in your jacket.

mikekelley wrote in post #11510532
Why not just leave it in your computer and make a backup and store it off site...I think there's just too much that can go wrong by leaving it in your jacket.

I can't run to an off site storage location every time I leave the house.

Do you live in a slum or something?

There is no way that it's safer to bring it with you in a jacket than to leave it in a locked house.

Things that could happen in a house:

Fire
Water damage
Theft (all extremely unlikely)

Things that could happen to a jacket:

Gets lost
Gets wet
Gets stolen
Gets misplaced or taken by accident by someone else
Someone spills something on it
Etc...these aren't every day occurrences but they happen more than the aforementioned things that happen to a house.

Even if you just make a backup and put it in a safe fireproof box every day or something, it's a better idea than taking a hard drive with you wherever you go.