Lojack for laptops?

In general, the best thing to do, is focus on preventing the laptop from being stolen in the first place, not worrying about what you'll do if it is stolen.

Talk to the campus police, see if they'll take down the serial number to keep on file should it ever be stolen. If they do this sort of thing, register anything of significant value with them. Do this yourself, and keep it at your house, Dad.

Also, make sure to drill it into your kid's head to absolutely never, under any circumstances, leave the laptop alone. If it will be out of your sight for any period of time, either take it with you, make sure someone trustworthy is watching it, or make sure it's in a secured room.

Those simple things will do far more than any bit of software or device that can be disabled.

From what I've heard, somehow, if it's stolen, when the thief goes on line, it broadcasts, in the background, to a special server, HELP. Or something like this. The Lojack people get the signal and track the IP address and send the police. I don't understand all the ins and outs, but I've heard good things about the service. But if the thief formats the drive, adios.

Check this LINK

Tom

If loss is an issue and you can accept the less than 100% recovery this is for you.

However some may want to put that money towards the next laptop. For those here's what I'm thinking is a "Poorman's Lojack". Look up LOGMEIN on google.com

Bob