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    computer / laptop theft

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by mintz, Sep 23, 2007.

  1. mintz

    mintz Newbie

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    Has anyone heard of lo-jack for software theft of a laptop? I am looking for something that can track my laptop if it is stolen. I understand this works on the BIOS which means it can be un-installed once you reload windows and clear out your hard drive.
     
    mintz, Sep 23, 2007
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  2. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    timtravel42, Sep 23, 2007
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  3. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    wave, Sep 23, 2007
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  4. mintz

    mintz Newbie

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    Thanks, it appears that Lo-jack is a good thing to get and there is NO WAY to de-bug it off your BIOS.
     
    mintz, Sep 23, 2007
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  5. SP Forsythe

    SP Forsythe Notebook Evangelist

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    It does NOT make any changes to your BIOS. I have it installed on my laptop, and have read many of the technical bulletins on the product. The secret to Lojack is the non-descript files and locations which is used to hide its presence. The program is much to complex to be housed in any BIOS anyway. At most, you would be able to have the BIOS load Lojack, which it doesn't do either.

    Lojack, just like the hidden device used for automobiles, relies 100% on its obscurity for security. As such, whatever you do, don't advertise its presence on your system with decals or desktop graphics, nor any files or directories in which you place your registration information. Moreover, don't have any browser bookmarks to the Lojack website.

    Go to the Lojack website, you will find NOTHING to indicate any BIOS presence. If it did, BIOS upgrades would be impossible, as the entire contents are erased and re-written, as upgraded each time you do. That's why it is always so very important to never interrupt a BIOS upgrade. No computer company in their right mind would permit BIOS modifications with a warranty intact.
     
    SP Forsythe, Sep 23, 2007
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  6. dimonay

    dimonay Notebook Consultant

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    I have it on my Thinkpad, can't really tell you how great it is, since it's never been stolen..yet.

    Gives me piece of mind nonetheless.

    Make sure your laptop is capable of having it embedded into your BIOS.

    See here.
     
    dimonay, Sep 23, 2007
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  7. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    Lojack is great if your machine is stolen by some dumbass. If its stolen by somebody smart, they will replace the HD before doing anything else. Or they wil low-level format it first.
     
    RogueMonk, Sep 23, 2007
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  8. Murdoc

    Murdoc Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, dell actually has a bios feature dedicated to Lojack so I was wondering what that function might do. In the bios itself, it does not explain what it does. It only says "activate, disable, bypassed" along with bolded words "if you activate or disable, you will not be able to change the status on the bios".
     
    Murdoc, Sep 23, 2007
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  9. Duran

    Duran Notebook Consultant

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    LoJack is ineffective if a clever thief wipes the HD. What I think LoJack should store the laptops ip address and store it in a server database....and if the laptop pops up on the grid it could be found even if the laptop's HD was wiped.
     
    Duran, Sep 23, 2007
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  10. dumas045

    dumas045 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just formatted my harddrive reinstalling vista business and Lojack was still able to run.
     
    dumas045, Sep 23, 2007
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  11. dimonay

    dimonay Notebook Consultant

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    As previously stated above, LoJack can embed itself into the BIOS. I've reformatted a few times, and it's still running on my laptop.
     
    dimonay, Sep 23, 2007
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  12. LordOOOL

    LordOOOL Notebook Guru

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    I've got that lojack for laptops. Makes me feel nice. Also good to have that little lock on the side just as a deterrent. Hopefully they'd rather jack my roomate's macbook pro!
     
    LordOOOL, Sep 23, 2007
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  13. mintz

    mintz Newbie

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    From what I read you can change hard drives, erase everything and it is still embedded in your BIOS. I also read it is there for life....who knows. I do not want to waste my money nor do i want someone able to view my laptop anytime they want to...scary
     
    mintz, Sep 23, 2007
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