Please don't steal my Mac again!!!

[Yockers]

Hi

I have had two Macbooks stolen and I am about to buy my 3rd!! So I'd like some advice on what I can do to prevent/put off/recover any further thefts.

Firstly - I was thinking of spray painting the notebook so that it is very unique looking....has anyone had any experience with this..or got any other suggestions other than stickers that I could use to customise it with.

Secondly...security - I've seen a few anti-theft products but is it possible to install a tracking chip inside the notebook.

Thirdly....is their anyway to make the computer unusable without the password i.e making it impossible to re-install the OS onto it?

Any ideas people.

Thanks

 

[mrplow]

That's very unlucky....... hopefully you were insured. Having a custom paint job may deter those who are stealing to re-sell but then they may just think it's a sticker and steal it anyway.

Having good physical security is the best prevention. I.e. keeping it out of sight, using a kensington lock etc. I'm sure you know this anyway.

But you could also take a look at an online security site like the Prey Project

 

[robduckyworth]

yep, you can set a firmware password:

Secure your Mac – How to set an Open Firmware / EFI Firmware Password on system boot

stops people from reinstalling the OS, or just putting a new HDD in it. dont forget it though!

 

[codda]

I'd be more concerned about how they are being stolen. Eliminate the opportunity and the rest will take care of itself.

 

[robduckyworth]

well, dont take it out alot in public/dodgy areas, and if it is your house or workplace its being taken from, upgrade the security there!

 

[Dec540]

I really don't see the point of a password on your computer. Granted you want to encrypt your data but a password that stops other people from using the device is kinda pointless.

How is a thief to know if they can install a new HDD or not when they are stealing it? They will only find out once they get it home and I very much doubt they are going to bring it back to you and say "ok, you win, i can't get around your password so i'm giving you your computer back"

What i'm trying to say is that a password will pi#$ a thief off but won't deter them from stealing the computer in the first place which seems to be your biggest problem.

As others have said a paint job isn't really going to deter a thief, you want physical security on your device... Or you prevent the theft yourself, for you to have had 2 laptops stolen already you are clearly leaving them exposed in places that make it easy to be stolen or your house gets broken into a lot. You most likely need to change your habits to prevent theft.

 

[robduckyworth]

I really don't see the point of a password on your computer. Granted you want to encrypt your data but a password that stops other people from using the device is kinda pointless.

How is a thief to know if they can install a new HDD or not when they are stealing it? They will only find out once they get it home and I very much doubt they are going to bring it back to you and say "ok, you win, i can't get around your password so i'm giving you your computer back"

yes, its pointless to protect your card details, bank account details, auto fill information, personal information and so on.

plus, why would i want a criminal who has just stolen my computer, to be able to easily use my device as if its their own? or sell it on to a pawn shop? the fact that a big lock comes up at the start up would ring alarm bells for any retailer.

you don't get your computer back, no, thats what insurance is for. being complacent, and just not bothering to do something like this, because it is "pointless" is not going to get you anywhere.

 

[iggibar]

Hi

I have had two Macbooks stolen and I am about to buy my 3rd!! So I'd like some advice on what I can do to prevent/put off/recover any further thefts.

How have you had 2 stolen?

Firstly - I was thinking of spray painting the notebook so that it is very unique looking....has anyone had any experience with this..or got any other suggestions other than stickers that I could use to customize it with.

Have you thought about getting a vinyl wrap? I believe it would detract from the macs look more than a solid color.

Secondly...security - I've seen a few anti-theft products but is it possible to install a tracking chip inside the notebook.

They have locking security chains, where you physically lock your macbook to a desk/whatever. There is a security slot built into all macbooks/pros. I think that would work well.

Thirdly....is their anyway to make the computer unusable without the password i.e making it impossible to re-install the OS onto it?

Not really, because nothing would stop a person from swapping out the hd, and reinstalling everything. If someone is motivated enough to steal, they wouldn't mind paying 50 bucks for an hd to pocket hundreds of dollars.


If I were in your case, I would get some vinyl covering(check ebay), and use a security lock. Being a little more careful probably wouldn't be bad either.

 

[Dec540]

yes, its pointless to protect your card details, bank account details, auto fill information, personal information and so on.

plus, why would i want a criminal who has just stolen my computer, to be able to easily use my device as if its their own? or sell it on to a pawn shop? the fact that a big lock comes up at the start up would ring alarm bells for any retailer.

you don't get your computer back, no, thats what insurance is for. being complacent, and just not bothering to do something like this, because it is "pointless" is not going to get you anywhere.

Clearly i stated that a password to protect your data was of utmost importance. The question posted by the OP was "how do i prevent my macbook from getting stolen?" I believe that a separate password that prompts when a user tries to reinstall or change the hard drive is pointless for this objective.

You may want to prevent the thief from using the device and thats fair enough, it will make it harder to "flog it off" but at the end of the day your macbook is still gone.

 

[vansmith]

I think your best bet is to first look at why and where your notebooks are being stolen. Are they being stolen in the same locations and if so, do you need to be there? If you do, don't leave your notebook. If you don't, simply don't go there. As an example, I frequently see signs at the library warning people not to leave their notebook. To prevent theft here at the library, don't go with a painted notebook, just don't go there and go to a different library/quiet place on campus. That's just one example - I'm sure you can accommodate given your situation.

I know this doesn't answer your questions directly but I think it's more important to understand the circumstances under which they are being taken. I'm willing to bet that a change of location with some added awareness of the surroundings will suffice. I say having had notebooks not stolen while at universities, places constantly warning students about having notebooks stolen, for more than six years.

The simplest solution is to not leave your notebook - if you need to go somewhere, bring it with you.

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

Yikes!! I'm with the others - would be curious to know how they're being stolen. If you have suspicions I'd be tempted to pick up a used one and install something like this Anti-Theft with an open guest account (with no privileges) just to grab a picture of the thief. Regardless - something like this sw seems like a wise investment.

I can certainly understand - if you're a student or researcher that it's tough to always have your computer with you. I know I've been spending quite a few weekends on a project - and you have to use the facilities from time to time - and you don't really want to pack up your computer every time it's time to go drop off some coffee. It's a tough call but if you've had 2 stolen - I'd say some over protective measures are warranted - including taking it with you to the bathroom, a kensington lock or tracking SW.

 

[imppy]

I subscribed to GadgetTrak. This application enables your computer to be tracked down where ever there is a wifi connection. Once the theft connects to a wifi hotspot, the application will automatically send you updates every half hour on your computer's general location (a map that displays the current location of ur laptop) and better yet, the iSight camera will turn on every half hour and take a snapshot of the person using your computer

 

[chscag]

Physical security is still the best deterrent. I frequently use Starbucks to meet with folks on business or sometimes to relax. I see folks leaving their notebook computer at an unattended table while they use the bathroom or wander off somewhere. Easy pickings for thieves. And it seems we have those same thieves at our schools of higher learning.

Never let it out of your sight. Or buy and train a Doberman Pinscher to keep alongside your computer.

 

[vansmith]

Physical security is still the best deterrent. I frequently use Starbucks to meet with folks on business or sometimes to relax. I see folks leaving their notebook computer at an unattended table while they use the bathroom or wander off somewhere.

I've never quite understood that. What's even more amazing for me is when people ask complete strangers to watch their things while they go somewhere for a while as if asking someone means that they are no longer just as likely to take your things themselves. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen people do that.

And it seems we have those same thieves at our schools of higher learning.

Absolutely. Our school has a whole program called "Security Tracking of Office Property" which will give you a badge to put on your notebooks with a bar code linked to a database. If the thief takes the badge off, a "chemically bonded tattoo" is left on the notebook with the words "stolen property" so that it is harder to sell. I'm not sure this would deter someone from stealing it but I think it goes to show that theft of notebooks is an issue.

 

[chscag]

What is even more scary is the number of US Government employees who lose notebook computers with sensitive information on them. I think you may remember a number of years ago hearing about a FEMA employee who lost a US Government owned notebook that contained the SSANs of thousands of people who had put in claims for disaster relief.

The notebook was finally found by the FBI (through an informant) and returned, but how much did it cost the taxpayers to get it back? No one ever mentioned the price.

 

[vansmith]

Can't say I know that story but I can imagine the panic when a government computer is lost. Yet another example of why you should never leave your equipment unattended.

chscag - You have to wonder if someone made a copy of the info on that notebook.

 

[brairden]

How have you had 2 stolen?
Not really, because nothing would stop a person from swapping out the hd, and reinstalling everything. If someone is motivated enough to steal, they wouldn't mind paying 50 bucks for an hd to pocket hundreds of dollars.

Wrong. Enabling an open firmware password prevents you from swapping the hard drive and booting the computer. You can't do target mode or boot from external either.

If you do not know the firmware password, the computer will not function.... unless you know how to bypass it. That info is kind of tough to find on the internet....you basically need to google "resetting open firmware password on an EFI firmware mac". Most criminals wouldn't spend that much time researching and trying to break it (unless they were tech savvy).

Now some thief will probably run across this post and figure it out.

I do not have the firmware password enabled on my machine, but it basically goes everywhere that I do. Security is not really a big concern of mine because my risk is low. If you are going to have your machines in a high risk environment, I would advise enabling it. It can only help in the case of a theft.

 

[chscag]

My understanding is that the firmware password bypass trick no longer works on the 2011 models. You should have kept your 2011 model so we could have you confirm that.

It was reported in MacWorld or maybe it was MacLife?.. anyway, it seems now if you forget or lose your EFI set password, only an authorized Apple store genius or dealer/technician will be able to reset it.

 

[chscag]

You have to wonder if someone made a copy of the info on that notebook.

According to the FBI computer forensic experts, no data was copied. How they determined that is beyond me.

 

[MacDude121]

According to the FBI computer forensic experts, no data was copied. How they determined that is beyond me.

Of course they'll say no data was copied. Their not gonna come out and say "Thousands of people's personal info was copied and distributed, PANIC!" ;D

Anyway, to the OP, having two notebooks stolen is a little much. HOW they were stolen is the big question. Did they come into your house? Reach in through an open car window? Steal it in a public place while you weren't looking? Macs are probably targeted for theft more than a lot of other notebooks due to their high resale value. You really need to take more defensive measures to protect your laptop from theft.

Me, I always keep my iBook right next to me, and would probably beat a robber over the head with it before I let him steal it...