Given how popular portable devices are they are getting stolen more and more. It would be great if Apple could build into the hardware of iPods, iPhones, Notebook computers, Desktop computers and even Printers & Airports a feature that would offer a free service (paid for right in the purchase of the Mac) which would log the IP address and local network topography where a device is. When we register our products this links the device to us.
There are several third party software programs that do this sort of thing in part but they can all be defeated because they don't run at the hardware level.
If something is stolen we can report it to the server and find out where that device is now being used. If this were built into the hardware so that it can't be simply wiped from memory or hard drives it would provide a tremendous amount of security. The information could then be turned over to the police for recovery and prosecution of the thieves. Security like this would make potential customers choose Apple over other vendors because they are less likely to lose their devices.
For devices with cameras there is the potential for a remote command to grab a photo of the theif.
For all devices there is the potential to do a remote wipe so that if my iPhone is stolen I could command itself to wipe all my data from it to protect my data from falling into the hands of identity thieves.
Remote lockup is another potential control so a device can be told to stop functioning and merely display a "Return to Owner" or "Return to Police" message along with any contact info and private message one want to give such as "Reward for Return".
Privacy needs to be dealt with. Strong encryption and a user password help there - only known to the buyer. A user might set the system to log all movements (changes of location), last 10 or even just the current location. Concerns about government spying, corporate spying, use in lawsuits all need to be addressed.
Transfer of ownership needs to be dealt with - previous owner could turn password over to new owner who could then register the device - thus sending a confirming email to the old owner who confirms / rejects the change.
There are likely other issues to be thought about. This really needs to be built in at the hardware level and into more than just the computers, all devices from printers through ipods and phones. Anything that ever connects to a network has the potential to keep track of itself and protect from thieves.
There are several third party software programs that do this sort of thing in part but they can all be defeated because they don't run at the hardware level.
If something is stolen we can report it to the server and find out where that device is now being used. If this were built into the hardware so that it can't be simply wiped from memory or hard drives it would provide a tremendous amount of security. The information could then be turned over to the police for recovery and prosecution of the thieves. Security like this would make potential customers choose Apple over other vendors because they are less likely to lose their devices.
For devices with cameras there is the potential for a remote command to grab a photo of the theif.
For all devices there is the potential to do a remote wipe so that if my iPhone is stolen I could command itself to wipe all my data from it to protect my data from falling into the hands of identity thieves.
Remote lockup is another potential control so a device can be told to stop functioning and merely display a "Return to Owner" or "Return to Police" message along with any contact info and private message one want to give such as "Reward for Return".
Privacy needs to be dealt with. Strong encryption and a user password help there - only known to the buyer. A user might set the system to log all movements (changes of location), last 10 or even just the current location. Concerns about government spying, corporate spying, use in lawsuits all need to be addressed.
Transfer of ownership needs to be dealt with - previous owner could turn password over to new owner who could then register the device - thus sending a confirming email to the old owner who confirms / rejects the change.
There are likely other issues to be thought about. This really needs to be built in at the hardware level and into more than just the computers, all devices from printers through ipods and phones. Anything that ever connects to a network has the potential to keep track of itself and protect from thieves.