Anti theft software

ScumLord

Has anyone any experience with anti-theft products for PCs? It's for a Desktop not a laptop.

Would anyone know a good one?

biko

Can't say I do since our desktops are behind locked doors.
Although I understand that PC towers could get stolen too, particularly in libraries and schools and similar.

Perhaps something like this?
http://www.brigadoonsoftware.com/pcphonehome.html
There may be cheap or free similar products out there.

chin_grin

I'd highly recommend TrueCrypt.

http://www.truecrypt.org/

Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux

Main Features:
Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk.

Encrypts an entire partition or storage device such as USB flash drive or hard drive.

Encrypts a partition or drive where Windows is installed (pre-boot authentication).

Encryption is automatic, real-time (on-the-fly) and transparent.

Parallelization and pipelining allow data to be read and written as fast as if the drive was not encrypted.

Encryption can be hardware-accelerated on modern processors.

Provides plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password:

Hidden volume (steganography) and hidden operating system.
More information about the features of TrueCrypt may be found in the documentation.

ScumLord

I came across this free open source one http://preyproject.com/ but I'd wonder how good it is being free.

Overheal

ScumLord wrote: »

Has anyone any experience with anti-theft products for PCs? It's for a Desktop not a laptop.

Would anyone know a good one?

http://www.absolute.com/en/lojackforlaptops/features.aspx

Encrypting your folders wouldn't go amiss either if you're using sensitive data.

ScumLord

There's a lot of work stuff on the PC that I can't lose I don't know how sensitive it is but overall I built myself an ubberputer and have become emotionally attached to it, if any one stole it I want to be able to hunt them down and and unload an ass hooping on them.

biko

I use TrueCrypt too, it's good but won't locate the computer for you.
But encryption in conjunction with a locator and also off-site automatic backup means that if your computer gets stolen you'll still have your info secure and a chance to get the computer back.

Sean^DCT4

Is there any GPS tracking hardware for towers? There's been a good few burglaries in my area and I have been looking for something that is not software based as if it's formatted it's not going to be any use.

ScumLord

I had come across a PCMCIA card earlier on but for some reason I can't find it again in my history. It had an alarm and motion sensor plus could lock wipe the laptop and ring home.

Sean^DCT4

thanks, I should have mentioned I have a tower not a laptop.

Frynge

you could get a PCMCIA card reader for the tower that would prob be an option

biko

Two pounds of semtex inside the tower and a mercury tilt switch, sorted.

holystungun9

think Biko is talking sense. Go for it.

Sean^DCT4

biko wrote: »

Two pounds of semtex inside the tower and a mercury tilt switch, sorted.

Any links for the tilt switch?

ScumLord

Sean^DCT4 wrote: »

Any links for the tilt switch?

He could tell you but he'd have to kill you... Actually he might as well just give you the link. :pac:

I installed that free one I posted earlier prey, don't know how I'll go about testing it tonight?