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General discussion

Laptop Theft Recovery Software

May 24, 2009 12:50AM PDT

Has anyone read a review and comparision of Laptop Theft Recovery Software? I have yet to find where a comparision has been performed. Maybe this is a good topic for CNET to consider. I have narrowed down my choices to GadgetTrak, Laptop Cop,and Lojack. Gadgettrack allows actual recording through the computers camera, but they do not get involved with the police. The other two interface with the police to help recover the laptop. GadgetTrak also allows you to secretly access your computer and download and/or delete your files. I wish there was one that did both. In the event my laptop is stolen I personally would like see the thief and have photos for the cops and be able to download my files. Any response or information that compares one to the other would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Not a comparison, but...
May 24, 2009 6:51AM PDT

I will note that I have little faith in such software for the following reasons:

1.) It is just software, and software can be circumvented. Worst case scenario for a thief: he/she has to stay off networks until he/she has stolen your personal information and then reinstall Windows to prevent you from ever tracking him/her down. Now you lost your information, your laptop, and your money.

2.) Such software lets others track you and/or control your computer remotely. That includes anyone that works for the company, hacks into the company's website, or cracks your password. That is a significant risk of privacy invasion.

3.) Knowing a thief's coordinates and even having a picture rarely results in being able to recover the laptop. Food for thought: If I tell you I am currently in the Sears Tower in Chicago and send you a blurry picture of myself, how long do you think it would take you to find me? Prove I stole your laptop and wasn't just an unwitting buyer of the stolen laptop? Find out who I sold it to?

Remember, it is easier to protect what you have, not what you have lost. All three recovery applications are legitimate options, but you'd be best served by a higher-quality anti-theft cable and a watchful eye over your important possessions.

Regards,
John

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Its over for Absolute Computrace & its ex-workers who hacks
Dec 21, 2009 9:39AM PST

Guarantee that company is DEAD... We can have a Coca-Cola on that... Dane

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Laptop Cop is a dirty cop
Jun 10, 2011 6:25AM PDT

I made the huge mistake of paying for a subscription to Laptop Cop based on a review on another website. After 24 hrs with no response to my payment I went to www.laptopcop.com and clicked on the "chat" support. I chatted with a chinese lady who knew nothing about the software and who ended up sending me logon information for Webwatcher.com - another product of the same company. I told her I ordered Laptop Cop not Webwatcher and she said Sales would send me the proper receipt. They never did. I tried the login information on mylaptopcop.com and it worked! How's that for security? When I read their installation instructions it became clear I would be installing an unlimited trojan back door from my computer directly to their computer - somewhere in China - and that the only thing stopping them from knowing where I was and everything I did on my computer and every file on my computer was their WORD that they would't do it unless I filed a police report that the notebook was stolen.
Thankfully I'm not that dumb. I sent an email asking for a refund as I did not activate the account, I was sent a receipt for the wrong product, and after getting all the facts did not wish to proceed with the purchase. I got back a form mail generated by a robot that said I was not eligible for a refund - yet another indication that this is a dirty cop and should be avoided. I have reported this to Internal Affairs at PayPal and still hope to get my money back - don't waste your time or your money, this is a scam.