Theft alarm for notebook?

I saw a PCMCIA card advertised that would screech an alarm, if someone took your notebook out of range. You keep one part of the device, which I think links via a radio signal.

Has anyone used a device like this? I wondered what alternatives there may be? Especially travelling in hostels, this would be a handy thing to have while I'm sleeping or my back is turned.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

This thief is in your room?

While your asleep?

Mmmm...try a Desert Eagle® Instead, sir.[ ]

Myself...I would go with the corded lock. Make'em work for it at least.

Anyone bold enough to snatch a laptop in open public is not likely to be slowed down by a little 'noise maker'. Most people would just get out of his way rather than get involved. And...yes it is expensive but, not worth your life. (But cheer up, It may be on E-Bay in just.. Hours. And cheap too!)[B)]

Unless you WANT to try chasing down the the bad guy...jumping over tables and chairs...smashing through a plate glass window.... into open traffic...yelling: "Hey you...Stopppppppp!!!"

Once again, with a Desert Eagle® (And now, the Baby Eagle®!!) at your side (in you choice of black silver or even GOLD!) you can asume your favorite 'action movie' stance, and send a message to crime...that everyone will understand!

http://www.magnumresearch.com/

(Remember to Group your shots at 'center mass'....Oh, and be sure to lay down plastic, As these things tend to get a bit....messy. Yea, and watch out for those'innocents'too. But really... is anybody REALLY innocent?)[ ]

 

The alarm is only an alert to get my full attention, as I definitely would be giving chase across busy streets and through pedestrians. I'd even take a bullet for it. As for combat, I'd probably rely on martial arts, a combination of jeet kune-do and western boxing should do the trick in street fighting, but I will look into those links, thanks.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

A lock wouldn't be suitable for the situations I have in mind, where you're travelling around with the laptop in a backpack. The alarm I saw simply fitted into the PCMCIA slot, where you could forget about it. I've only seen one site selling them, but I imagine it being useful for so many situations. Even if the laptop is in a locker in your room in a hostel, it's an extra layer of security knowing you're going to be woken up if someone sneaks it out.

I'd also quite like a bug fitted into the laptop, so I could track its movements Having had my bike stolen, and knowing it was probably within a mile radius of where I was standing, I would have loved to have been able to pull out a little PDA device with a blinking dot and track down where it was.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

I think a notebook lock would be a better bet, there are plenty of options out there, here's a nice portable style one:

http://www.kensington.com/html/5666.html

an alarm is kind of bizarre on a notebook, and I don't think carrying a weapon to attack a potential burglar makes a whole lot of sense...especially if you're in the UK and such a thing is illegal. It'd be easier just to deter the notebook being stolen in the first place!

 

If you go to circuit city, they have some sort of tab sticking from the USB slot of all there notebooks. i pulled it out once becasue i didnt know what it was, and it rang really loud

~RaNDoM

 

Um....there is 'laptop Tracking Software'. The moment a thief trys to get on-line with your laptop, it send an e-mail with its current IP address to where ever you wish.
I'm not sure how effective it will be in the real world.
Link:
http://www.sentryinc.com/ca-track.html

Damm ! I had a link to a Freeware program from a 'Pc Answers' cover disk around here... somewhere...I NEED A MAID!! (Must like wearing High heel staletos! ultra mini skirts...a plus..as always[ ])

I'll post it when I find It...

 

Back in my MS DOS days, I remember a program that would 'brand' your PC by filling the slack space on your hard drive with a pattern of your choosing. Won't stop theft, but makes your PC identifiable.

First PC = Vic-20, 8" 128KB Home-Brew Floppy Drive ... Current Rig = eMachines m6805 ... Quantum Leap?

 

I use a password on Windows, but how effective is this? I'm using XP Pro. All my work files are encrypted using drivecrypt, but how secure is the passwording on Windows startup?

Whether or not they can get to Windows dictates whether or not it's worth using this IP emailing software.

How useful would knowing the IP be? Would the police be able to act on information like that?

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

Haha but what if the signal got lost and it would go off by itself... i agree with AdivdG, just get a weapon, or maybe alot of tape so it cant be lifter from your desk [ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by AdvidG

 

Andy2434,

S&W 686
6 shot stainless reveolver

Well, yes It is impressive and It will get most thief's attentions.
But I think Mr. Wickedmoon is looking for something...more.
That's a nice gun. But, why not have a portable cannon with your portable computer?
Desert Eagle® Maxumim Magnum protection
Makes BIG holes and lots of noise too!!
H2 Hummer discount with some models...
(BTW I'm just kidding about all this...Except for the POWER of a Desert Eagle®....GET ONE NOW!!)I should be getting paid for this!)

"sleeping or my back is turned"

Keep it out of site.
corded keylock roped around something hard to move or break.
password protected OS.
BIOS password protected.
Tamper-proof ID tracking tags http://www.secure-it.com/products/stop/stop.htm

serial numbers recorded kept elsewhere.
Full data and file back-up elsewhere.
Lock all doors at all times, even if in room. use deadbolt.
Get small portable battery powered room alarms systems.
Never leave laptop alone in public. NEVER!
Stay in well lit public areas.
Use shoulder strap around neck (harder to snach and grab).
Pepper spray/ stun gun...maybe?
Desert Eagle® personal hand cannon

And:
M1 Abrams Battle Tank....and...ah...Laptop'Recovery'Unit

Features:
Cruising speed on land is 70 mph (112.6 kph) on roads and 60 mph
Power Source: Nuclear fusion reactor (Fuel Cell Should have an average lifespan of 10 years) Please do NOT drop fuel cells or expose to fire. This would be... bad.)

Also:
The vehicle is designed to traverse virtually all terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a much slower speed

Option Packages:
Underwater: Can be equipped with snorkel to run underwater down to 15 feet (4.6 meters)

High Velocity 80 mm Heavy Rail Gun
Automatic Grenade Launcher
140 mm Smooth Bore Cannon (Main Gun)
Variable Missile Launchers
Smoke Dispenser

Also: (New to 2006 models only)
*Lighted* Ash Tray
Twin Big Mouth Cup holders
Back Seat DVD Video System
'Tweety' Mud Flaps

Trade-ins WELCOME!!!
[ ]

 

Smith and Wesson - the original point and click interface

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

I like the idea of the ID tracking tags. Has anyone used these? Apart from reporting the crime and having the serial number, do you consider the ID tags really worth the extra hassle and expense?

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

[ ]
That was funny, sir.

Many corporations use them on employes laptops. I'm sure it's not foolproof, but they wouldn't do it If it did'nt work at all.

I got a free ID tag with my laptop case (Belkin) from "StuffBak".

http://www.stuffbak.com/stuffbakadmin/index.aspx

Seems pretty cool...now that I LOST the damm tag!!

 

I wonder if there's any difference in effectiveness, depending what company you buy these labels from. StuffBak's "reward for return" feature maybe gives it the edge against a service like secure-it.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

'Secure-It' Is I'm thinking more for corporations than individuals. They sell the tags in bulks of 500+, probably to IT departments.'StuffBak' is more for the people.

I think that by following even some the tips and precautions I listed above will make YOUR laptop look LESS attractive. And more importantly provide LESS options for a thief to get fast cash. He will be more likely to move on to the next opportunity If yours seems like trouble. Remember....criminals hate work even more then we do.[ ]

As promised...I found that pc tracking software. FREE!!
PAL Tracker lite (From 'PC Utilities' Cover Disc Issue 56 CD1)
The 'Pro 1.0' full version is on the disc.

Best computer magazine in the bussiness:
http://www.livepublishing.co.uk/content/pcutilities.shtml

Download link:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/308449.html

 

Your best bet is a multi-tiered solution. The PCMCIA card alarm is a good bet, as it would prevent tampering. However, this simple step is not enough to stop all thieves. Someone who is aware of the alarm can easily bypass it and make it difficult or impossible to hear the alarm.
The alarm (http://www.caveo.com) also "locks" out the computer (won't prevent a reformat though)Some computers feature the ability to encrypt the hard drive at a hardware level, and will prevent an unauthorized user from getting any info off the hard drive. (The hard drive is useless without the password) (HP calls this DriveLock) Even a BIOS password is fallable (removing the CMOS battery will erase PW) A steel cable lock would slow down a would-be thief considerably, again, not foolproof, but a good cable lock would prevent a thief from thinking they could get far enough away before the alarm goes off before you notice. Tracking software would aid in retrieval in the case of theft. I would suggest:

·BIOS Password (or Drivelock/Equiv if available)(free)
·PCMCIA Alarm (~$100) (http://www.caveo.com/)
·Tracking software (charge varies)
·Cable lock (~$50)
·Insurance where available (~$50 yearly)
·File Encryption (free with certain OSes)

None of these totally guarantee the safety of your investment, but the combination of one or more of the above would discourage all but the most determined thief

 

All good suggestions sir....but,You still can't beat a TANK for total all around protection!
20 city block range(accessory's not included in all models)[ ]

 

I'd like to see you fold up a tank and pack it in the laptop case when you are ready to go

 

Does anyone else get 6 notifications about the same post, or is it just me?

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

http://www.tankzone.co.uk/cart/marui_m1a2.htm

Beware theives!
[ ]

by the way...don't they make software to control things like this?
I swear I saw it ...somewhere......

 

ummmm...what's stopping this theif from popping out the pcmcia card from the slot and running in a different direction?

 

Swervy, there really wouldn't be anything to stop someone from popping out the card, its main purpose is to prevent a would-be thief from moving the laptop to begin with. The card alone will not stop a thief, all it will do is alert the owner or others nearby that something is wrong. The card also locks the software of the computer making it difficult for anyone to steal the data on the drive itself.