Stop thief software lets stolen laptops speak up

This in turn alerts the police to the missing machine's location. Ms Hafeman added a version for Mac users was in the pipeline. Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Stop thief! Share or comment on this article: Stop thief! The software that lets laptops call out for help when stolen.

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You can remotely switch on a second password prompt if you fear the thief has also stolen your regular Windows, Macintosh or Linux login. Behind the scenes, Retriever uses built-in Wi-Fi to sniff out nearby networks, then suss out what Internet service providers power them.

With that information in hand, Hafeman said, you can file a police report and get help locating the criminal. While waiting for law enforcement to come through, you can even let off steam by sending new messages to the nagging "Stolen Computer! I am right at your door" was one, Hafeman said, adding that she could not bring herself to say others that came to mind. Customers have also tried to induce fear or guilt by switching their contact info to "Secret Service" and "Catholic church.

Now, when the "stolen" screen pops up, the laptop cries for help. It can also use the Mac's text-to-speech feature to cry out that it has been stolen, or use any other message you type in, if it finds itself in a Wi-Fi hotspot with a known address, such as an Apple Store.

One problem with this type of software is that a thief with IT skills can try to get around it. This is why some companies use CompuTrace, the corporate version of LoJack. This means it can still work if the thief changes the operating system or even replaces the hard drive. High-value laptops are relatively easy to lose, or to steal, so this is one type of software we can expect to grow.

And as more gadgets become internet-connected, we'll see tracking software added to a growing number of digital cameras, camcorders, smart phones, MP3 players and similar devices. Stop thief!