Can anyone recommend any theft recovery software (free or not)? If so, are there any pro's/cons to using any such service? Are there any alternatives to help make a mac anti-theft?
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Mac Theft recovery software
- Thread starter octopub
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Cromulent
macrumors 604
Once someone has nicked your computer no amount of software will help you. All they would need to do would be to put a new hard drive in.
Tallest Skil
macrumors P6
90% of thieves are too stupid to think of something like that. For these circumstances, there is UnderCover by Orbicule.
OK, but presuming that the thief has not thought of replacing the hard drive - I'm sure they're not the brightest bunch society has to offer.
I have not tried it personally but one option could be to get LoJack
http://www.lojackforlaptops.com/products/compare.asp
Though I should mention I have heard varying reports of its actual effectiveness so I am just showing this for comparisons sake
http://www.lojackforlaptops.com/products/compare.asp
Though I should mention I have heard varying reports of its actual effectiveness so I am just showing this for comparisons sake
kkat69
macrumors 68020
I would recommend UnderCover and READ the site. They talk about adding a system password kinda like locking out the CMOS on Windows machines, except on windows machines it's pretty easy to bypass, not sure on Macs how hard.
Also, keep in mind, they may not recover the machine, but they will at least help catch the thieves. To help this out, insurance is a good thing.
Undercover is a one time purchase and not a subscription.
Look into the website.
Also, keep in mind, they may not recover the machine, but they will at least help catch the thieves. To help this out, insurance is a good thing.
Undercover is a one time purchase and not a subscription.
Look into the website.
Thanks for the posts so far. Have any of you come across iAlertU and do you know if it works on the 20' aluminium imacs?
And just to give something back, I have found this website and thought that it would be good to share with you www.immobilise.com Here you can list your valuables on line for free & they work with the police to recover items that get stolen.
And just to give something back, I have found this website and thought that it would be good to share with you www.immobilise.com Here you can list your valuables on line for free & they work with the police to recover items that get stolen.
Setting up a Firmware password (Mac's CMOS) prevents the machine from booting to any device other than the HD last configured. It will not boot to a new HD, CD, DVD or flash without that password. That said it should something you wont forget, otherwise you can be in big trouble if your HD fails and you can't boot to setup the new one.
Also, use the login screen with a password... that protects your files. Turn on Filevault (system settings) too to add extra protection.
I work for a school district and we have recovered a few laptops using HP's version of Lojack for laptops. Lojack works with local PD to attempt to recover stolen property. Also, the tracking software is flashed onto the motherboard and will work no matter if they replace the HD or erase it.
angelwatt
Moderator emeritus
The Firmware password is not worth it. It's too easy to bypass. Even Apple has documentation on their site to get around it without much hassle.
Jethryn Freyman
macrumors 68020
The big con is they don't work with full disk encryption. You have to choose between encrypting your data and keeping it safe, and getting your laptop back but having people able to read your data.
Firmware password are easily defeated.