How to Track a Stolen Computer

Laptops are easily stolen or lost

Laptop computers are one of the most popular items stolen. According to insurance industry statistics, one is stolen every 53 seconds. Laptops are also left behind in all kinds of transportation or just plain lost. Depending on the type and age of the device, it may be possible to use the Internet to help find it. New software and/or hardware on these computers allow them not only to be tracked, but also---with just a few keystrokes---erase all data on the machine.

Things You'll Need

• Computer (laptop or desktop)
• Internet connection
• Specialized software, either free or commercial, installed on the computer

Instructions

Install Software to Meet Your Need

1. Install tracking software of your choice on the computer. This will place hidden files on your computer that a thief cannot see. Depending on the capabilities of your equipment, it will now be able to "phone home" utilizing the Internet. If it is equipped for Wi-Fi, it can stealthily attach to any open hot spot.

2. Once your computer has been determined lost or stolen, immediately log onto the Internet and determine if the device has also connected. Once connected, the wayward computer will receive an IP address from the site's provider. If the computer has a camera, your software may be signaled to turn the camera on to observe the device's immediate environs---and possibly even see the thief.

3. Obtaining an IP address will not provide an exact location. Log onto the website http://www.whatismyip.com for a set of tools that will translate the IP address and provide the owner of that particular block of IP addresses.

4. Contact the listed IP address owner and explain why you need the exact address of that particular IP, but remember many companies guard customer privacy and will not comply. If that happens, contact your local law enforcement agency.
   Your computer may be at a specific location for a short period of time, and when it moves on, the IP address at the next stop may change. Just repeat Step 3 at each stop.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check your home or business insurance policy to see if laptops are covered. If not, most insurers offer "rider" policies to specifically insure the devices.

• If your laptop contains sensitive information, then always encrypt it using Department of Defense compliant software. Many companies offer this software that can encrypt and decrypt data rapidly. Some titles can be configured to automatically delete sensitive files if too many erroneous password attempts are made.

• Unless tracking software or special hardware devices are installed, it is almost impossible to recover a stolen laptop.

References

• Absolute Software
• Prey Project

Resources

• Dell Study on Stolen Laptops