Ho can I remotely take a photo if my Macbook is stolen?

[gskiser]

When I had mine stolen in Switzerland they provided a French-speaking liaison to the local law enforcement.

So, what was the outcome in Switzerland? Did you recover the laptop? If not, did the program at least work as intended and were you at least able to track it and see the criminal? Just curious about the details of a real theft example from someone other than those listed as testimonials on the company's website.

 

[miles01110]

So, what was the outcome in Switzerland? Did you recover the laptop?

Yes.

If not, did the program at least work as intended and were you at least able to track it and see the criminal?

I got pictures of the criminal and more- Skype screenshots, e-mail, bank statements, his Facebook page, even online shopping in which his home address was visible. All of which were used to arrest & deport both him and a few of his accomplices (the Swiss police used the info sent back by my computer to break up a criminal ring that had been stealing things from tourists in the Lausanne/Vaud Canton of Switzerland for quite some time).

 

[TheMacBookPro]

When I had mine stolen in Switzerland they provided a French-speaking liaison to the local law enforcement.

Were there no officers there who could speak English? I agree that could be useful if you're in the sticks and they only speak their native language.

Why? Orbicule doesn't require a police report to start tracking your machine.

Nor does Prey, but that's not my point. Typically, if something of mine is stolen, I go to the police to have a report written up. If you want to go retrieve it yourself by dealing with the bad guys yourself then of course the police step is optional.

I tried Prey on the iMac and marked it as missing to test it out. I managed to get all the information for "Geo" and "Network", but webcam and screenshot weren't reported at all (both were ON). Not too sure what went wrong though, any idea?

No idea, try toggling it on and off? I tried marking my rMBP as missing and I got a report with everything I'd turned on (including webcam and screenshot) within 10 minutes.

 

[miles01110]

Were there no officers there who could speak English? I agree that could be useful if you're in the sticks and they only speak their native language.

There was an officer that had the same level of English as I had French (i.e. tourist English).

 

[TheMacBookPro]

There was an officer that had the same level of English as I had French (i.e. tourist English).

I see. Well then, Undercover is certainly a better choice if you'll be heading out to a place where the officers are unlikely to speak English well

 

[miles01110]

I see. Well then, Undercover is certainly a better choice if you'll be heading out to a place where the officers are unlikely to speak English well

It's clearly a better choice all-around. Prey Project is like every other Open Source project - "cool", but falls short when things actually matter (like when your computer gets stolen).

 

[TheMacBookPro]

It's clearly a better choice all-around. Prey Project is like every other Open Source project - "cool", but falls short when things actually matter (like when your computer gets stolen).

I don't see how it 'falls short where it matters', as all I can see is that you get telephone support and faux hardware failure. Apart from that, I don't see how it's 'clearly a better choice' than Prey.

When the computer gets stolen I get the same amount of information and I also get the same lock computer, trigger a message, etc options that those with Undercover do. (apart from the faux hardware failure)

Telephone support could be useful in a non-English-speaking country, but some people travel solely to English speaking areas so it's either vital or useless depending on the user.

Faking a hardware failure is an interesting idea, but you still need to trigger the 'this computer is stolen, don't repair it and just return it to me' message manually. What if the thief doesn't take it to an Apple Store, but just a random computer repair place? You wouldn't know when to activate the message.

Maybe there's another major feature that I'm missing?

 

[theBostonian]

Doesn't anybody know how to SSH or use Terminal any more?

No wonder Apple is moving more toward foolproof products that one would be hard pressed to mess up.

To OP you might find this useful, but if you're not comfortable using command line then I guess an app is the way to go...

 

[Daremo]

Back up all your information before you go, and add a rider contract for your Macbook for full value on your homeowners or Renters insurance. If it get's stolen, at least you're covered for a replacement.