Urgent Help Needed To Track Stolen Computer

fr7uk · Jan 12, 2003, 10:26 AM

About 3 months ago my iMac computer was stolen from my office.
The machine has it's own ichat identity and today it has appeared active on the buddy list of my home machine - so someone is using it right now.

I am after any advice or ideas on how to track this person - is there any way I can track their IP address through ichat? If I do get the IP Adress what is the best way get their real address from it.

I would really appreciate any help with this - the iMac was not the only thng they took, in fact they wiped us out and did a fair bit of damage too.

It would get the year off to a great start if we could track them down, maybe even getting some of our stuff back.

Thanks Guys.

G4scott · Jan 12, 2003, 11:03 AM

First of all, I would call the police and tell them that you know your computer is being used, and see if they have anyone who deals with things like that. I doubt they will be able to help that much, but it's worth a try.

You could try calling Kim Komando... (yes, the mac hating weird lady, but she's kinda, well, uh, attractive, for a computer nerd...) at 1-888-825-5254

You could also try to find some kids who can find someone's IP via AIM, and that might help.

Another place to try is www.lostpc.com

I hope you get it back...

rainman::|:| · Jan 12, 2003, 12:03 PM

http://stolencomputers.org

it's an association of insurance companies that help track stolen computers through serial numbers.

pnw

fr7uk · Jan 12, 2003, 12:09 PM

Thanks for your advice - will try out ideas

iJon · Jan 12, 2003, 01:08 PM

I dont think there is much you can do. i have been thinking for a while and i am stumped. you could try talking to him. if this guy is stupid youc an maybe do some stuff. you could try talking to him like your a friend of yourself. if he plays along you will be in good shape. tell him to go to whatismyip.com. see if he will give you the number. if there are any apps for getting the ip or seeing the ip of someone over aim it wont be on the mac. if anyone can find a pc aim client that does this i will glady try it out on my pc and see we can catch this bastard.

iJon

rt_brained · 01:44 PM

First of all, best of luck to you, fr7uk, in your quest. But as long as we're on the subject, many of us recall the story of the guy who was able to track his stolen computer via Timbuk 2. And most of us read the story about the guy who managed to locate the eBay thief through this amazing network of passionate Mac fans.

Does anyone have detailed info on an efficient system to protect and later locate a (god forbid) stolen Mac? [aside from locking it down with a cable]

I've logged my computer's IP address locked away, but I'm sure that's not enough and I haven't figured out yet if lostPC.com's software is compatible with our machines.

Wouldn't it be cool if we had a system in place that worked like SETI, or some sort of "always on" network locator (for Mac faithful) that could notify us of a computer's location, once we've reported it stolen?

Or perhaps Timbuk 2 is best?

iJon · Jan 12, 2003, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rt_brained
First of all, best of luck to you, fr7uk, in your quest. But as long as we're on the subject, many of us recall the story of the guy who was able to track his stolen computer via Timbuk 2. And most of us read the story about the guy who managed to locate the eBay thief through this amazing network of passionate Mac fans.

Does anyone have detailed info on an efficient system to protect and later locate a (god forbid) stolen Mac? [aside from locking it down with a cable]

I've logged my computer's IP address locked away, but I'm sure that's not enough and I haven't figured out yet if lostPC.com's software is compatible with our machines.

Wouldn't it be cool if we had a system in place that worked like SETI, or some sort of "always on" network locator (for Mac faithful) that could notify us of a computer's location, once we've reported it stolen?

Or perhaps Timbuk 2 is best?

there is some software. its called macphonehom. they had a award winning pc sofware and they just ported it to mac os x and 9. the bad thing is is that it doesnt have all the good features the pc oen does. they both do the same thing, but the pc one can survive low levels and formats, the mac cannot. but chances are a person who is smart enought to steal isnt smart enough to format and that junk, specially because most theives are probably used to windows considering then they steal a laptop, a computer is a computer to them. whatever the case, its worth the money in my opinion. oh by the way fr7uk, if you had a flat panel imac, you have a lock down on that baby, use it next time if you get your computer back or get another one. www.pcphonehome.com

iJon

Les Kern · Jan 12, 2003, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rt_brained
Does anyone have detailed info on an efficient system to protect and later locate a (god forbid) stolen Mac? [aside from locking it down with a cable]

You're in luck.
I just purchased PC PHoneHome, which now has a Mac version. It e-mails it's location every time it connects to the net. Price is 10.00 per year.
There are some IMPORTANT points to know, but I will leave it up to you to find out. OSX would be the best version, but there is a 9 build.
See www.pcphonehome.com

LimeiBook86 · Jan 12, 2003, 02:30 PM

USE APPLE REMOTE DESKTOP!!!!! You can send the file to him, let him install it and then remotly access the computer!!! I know the program cost $$$ but you can get it in "other ways" from LimeWire its called ARD or Apple Remote Desktop, I hopw you find it soon! GOOD LUCK!!!!

iJon · Jan 12, 2003, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LimeiBook86
USE APPLE REMOTE DESKTOP!!!!! You can send the file to him, let him install it and then remotly access the computer!!! I know the program cost $$$ but you can get it in "other ways" from LimeWire its called ARD or Apple Remote Desktop, I hopw you find it soon! GOOD LUCK!!!!

you have a better chance of just talking to him and telling him to go to www.whatismyip.com and having him read you the number. and you save 400 dollars. plus it would be hard to set up. i have remote desktop on all my computers and its confusing to get started, im sure it would be hard to have him set up it up. i would go with the web page, its quick and simple. its really worth a shot.

iJon

sprocklingcat · Jan 12, 2003, 03:02 PM

it has been 3 months since your mac was stolen and most likely whomever has it now is not the thief, but somwone who was given or bought the computer from the thief.

therefore i say talk to the person on the other end, chances are they will have no idea there is an iChat identity already loaded and they are on a stolen computer.

good luck

fr7uk · Jan 12, 2003, 03:27 PM

Thanks for all your ideas and advice - there are some very interesting ideas which I am going to follow up.

In the end a colleague had the idea of creating a dummy web page on our website concerning the stolen iMac, we then ichatted with whoever was using my machine and suggested they visit the page if they wanted to learn more about the robbery and the fact that the iMac was stolen.

My colleague - who runs the website - says that if the person visits the site we will be able to get their IP address from a web log as the page is unique and noone else has access to it.

If we do manage to get the IP address we will let you know and work out where to go from there.

Once again thanks guys - you time is much appreciated.

rainman::|:| · Jan 12, 2003, 03:29 PM

i think contacting him and telling him to go to whatsmyip.com would be a good way to freak him out enough to piece the computer apart, if indeed he is the original thief. but chances are very good he's not. you said he made off with other stuff, do you mean other computers? because even if he wanted a computer for himself, he wouldn't need more than one, you'd think...

pnw

iJon · Jan 12, 2003, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fr7uk
Thanks for all your ideas and advice - there are some very interesting ideas which I am going to follow up.

In the end a colleague had the idea of creating a dummy web page on our website concerning the stolen iMac, we then ichatted with whoever was using my machine and suggested they visit the page if they wanted to learn more about the robbery and the fact that the iMac was stolen.

My colleague - who runs the website - says that if the person visits the site we will be able to get their IP address from a web log as the page is unique and noone else has access to it.

If we do manage to get the IP address we will let you know and work out where to go from there.

Once again thanks guys - you time is much appreciated.

thats what i was thinking, just get him to a web page. all he has to do it click on it once. it doesn evne have to be about stolen computers. just get him to click the link and your set. you are very lucky i would say than most other people. you know you computer is online, i think if you just plan this out well enough you could pull this off, and yet another mac theif is caught. soon people will figure out they not want to jack that mac next time.lol

iJon

LimeiBook86 · Jan 12, 2003, 05:10 PM

you can make the page look like a porno site, hahahahaha, just kidding...although it might work, HAHA

Jan 12, 2003, 10:26 AM	#1
fr7uk macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2003	Urgent Help Needed To Track Stolen Computer About 3 months ago my iMac computer was stolen from my office. The machine has it's own ichat identity and today it has appeared active on the buddy list of my home machine - so someone is using it right now. I am after any advice or ideas on how to track this person - is there any way I can track their IP address through ichat? If I do get the IP Adress what is the best way get their real address from it. I would really appreciate any help with this - the iMac was not the only thng they took, in fact they wiped us out and did a fair bit of damage too. It would get the year off to a great start if we could track them down, maybe even getting some of our stuff back. Thanks Guys.

Jan 12, 2003, 11:03 AM	#2
G4scott macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Austin, TX	First of all, I would call the police and tell them that you know your computer is being used, and see if they have anyone who deals with things like that. I doubt they will be able to help that much, but it's worth a try. You could try calling Kim Komando... (yes, the mac hating weird lady, but she's kinda, well, uh, attractive, for a computer nerd...) at 1-888-825-5254 You could also try to find some kids who can find someone's IP via AIM, and that might help. Another place to try is www.lostpc.com I hope you get it back... __________________ Hook 'em Horns!

Jan 12, 2003, 12:09 PM	#4
fr7uk Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2003	Thanks Thanks for your advice - will try out ideas

Jan 12, 2003, 01:41 PM	#6
rt_brained macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Creativille	First of all, best of luck to you, fr7uk, in your quest. But as long as we're on the subject, many of us recall the story of the guy who was able to track his stolen computer via Timbuk 2. And most of us read the story about the guy who managed to locate the eBay thief through this amazing network of passionate Mac fans. Does anyone have detailed info on an efficient system to protect and later locate a (god forbid) stolen Mac? [aside from locking it down with a cable] I've logged my computer's IP address locked away, but I'm sure that's not enough and I haven't figured out yet if lostPC.com's software is compatible with our machines. Wouldn't it be cool if we had a system in place that worked like SETI, or some sort of "always on" network locator (for Mac faithful) that could notify us of a computer's location, once we've reported it stolen? Or perhaps Timbuk 2 is best? Last edited by rt_brained : Jan 12, 2003 at 01:44 PM.

Jan 12, 2003, 02:30 PM	#9
LimeiBook86 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hanging around in NJ with his cutie. :)	!!!!!! USE APPLE REMOTE DESKTOP!!!!! You can send the file to him, let him install it and then remotly access the computer!!! I know the program cost $$$ but you can get it in "other ways" from LimeWire its called ARD or Apple Remote Desktop, I hopw you find it soon! GOOD LUCK!!!! __________________ my site my blog Mac's Comic Mac's Shop "Just you try and stop me..."

Jan 12, 2003, 12:03 PM	#3
rainman::\|:\| macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: iowa	http://stolencomputers.org it's an association of insurance companies that help track stolen computers through serial numbers. pnw

Jan 12, 2003, 01:08 PM	#5
iJon macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2002	I dont think there is much you can do. i have been thinking for a while and i am stumped. you could try talking to him. if this guy is stupid youc an maybe do some stuff. you could try talking to him like your a friend of yourself. if he plays along you will be in good shape. tell him to go to whatismyip.com. see if he will give you the number. if there are any apps for getting the ip or seeing the ip of someone over aim it wont be on the mac. if anyone can find a pc aim client that does this i will glady try it out on my pc and see we can catch this bastard. iJon

Jan 12, 2003, 03:02 PM	#11
sprocklingcat macrumors member Join Date: May 2002 Location: KS	keep in mind it has been 3 months since your mac was stolen and most likely whomever has it now is not the thief, but somwone who was given or bought the computer from the thief. therefore i say talk to the person on the other end, chances are they will have no idea there is an iChat identity already loaded and they are on a stolen computer. good luck

Jan 12, 2003, 03:27 PM	#12
fr7uk Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2003	Thanks to all of you Thanks for all your ideas and advice - there are some very interesting ideas which I am going to follow up. In the end a colleague had the idea of creating a dummy web page on our website concerning the stolen iMac, we then ichatted with whoever was using my machine and suggested they visit the page if they wanted to learn more about the robbery and the fact that the iMac was stolen. My colleague - who runs the website - says that if the person visits the site we will be able to get their IP address from a web log as the page is unique and noone else has access to it. If we do manage to get the IP address we will let you know and work out where to go from there. Once again thanks guys - you time is much appreciated.

Jan 12, 2003, 03:29 PM	#13
rainman::\|:\| macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: iowa	i think contacting him and telling him to go to whatsmyip.com would be a good way to freak him out enough to piece the computer apart, if indeed he is the original thief. but chances are very good he's not. you said he made off with other stuff, do you mean other computers? because even if he wanted a computer for himself, he wouldn't need more than one, you'd think... pnw

Jan 12, 2003, 05:10 PM	#15
LimeiBook86 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hanging around in NJ with his cutie. :)	if it is a guy... you can make the page look like a porno site, hahahahaha, just kidding...although it might work, HAHA __________________ my site my blog Mac's Comic Mac's Shop "Just you try and stop me..."

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