Locate Laptop Sniffs Out Stolen Laptops
Techtree News Staff, Mar 10, 2008 1912 hrs IST
As the name suggests, "Locate Laptop" powered by proprietary WebSniff technology can locate stolen laptops leveraging on the World Wide Web.
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Data care solutions provider, Unistal Systems, has announced the launch and availability of its new software product called "Locate Laptop".
As the name suggests, "Locate Laptop" powered by proprietary WebSniff technology can locate stolen laptops leveraging on the World Wide Web. "Locate Laptop" not only tracks and recovers stolen laptops, but also deters theft.
When a laptop is stolen, it's not just the physical loss of a machine, but also of valuable and sensitive information that it stores.
According to Alok Gupta, director of Unistal Systems, laptop thefts and loss are on an incessant rise, and have led to serious damages for professionals and corporates. About 97 percent of stolen PCs are never recovered, and 57 percent of corporate crimes are linked to them.
In case of corporates, "Locate Laptop" keeps track of the whereabouts of each employee while traveling, and the moment he logs in via the Web, a report is generated with his complete details and is sent to a designated individual within the organization. This is done without the knowledge of the employee, so as to maintain privacy.
Users have to just install "Locate Laptop" on their PCs. It resides and operates in stealth mode. In case of loss or theft, users may login to their Web-based Personal Tracking and Monitoring Page through www.locatelaptop.com to view and trace where the laptop has been accessed from.
As soon as the offender connects the laptop to the Internet, the WebSniff technology informs the owner about the city and IP address where it is being accessed. It continues to track all the locations whenever the offender connects to the Internet. And the laptop can be retrieved with the help of local law enforcement authorities.
Since theft is almost impossible to eradicate, consumers can at least work towards minimizing the impact of theft through the timely recovery of stolen hardware.
"Locate Laptop" is available online at http://www.locatelaptop.com for a price of Rs 3,000 per license.
USER COMMENTS
If you want a serious anti-theft software for laptops buy Laptop Cop. It saved my job when I had my Toshiba P300 stolen in Barcelona. The files were RETRIEVED and I am not kidding...within 3 hours!! I couldn't believe it when they sent me an SMS message and email informing me of that success. The thief must have got home and gone online more or less immediately after he stole it from our car. What a saviour the guys are at Awareness Technologies USA. They deleted all the files on my laptop but the real lifesaver was they sent me nominated files by email that I picked-up on my colleagues laptop to continue with our meetings. I couldn't thank Laptop Cop and the team at Awareness enough. You can google "Laptop Cop" and find it.
by Carl, London, on Jul 06, 2008 12:50 PM, Report abuse Reply
Sounds interesting it a good step .... but I believe there might be some dependency ?.like if the offender format the System ?. Or just uninstall this software??I think the software is not the solution we need to have some hardware that embedded in motherbord that no one can remove it.
by Amit, Chennai, on Mar 11, 2008 04:32 PM, Report abuse Reply
The software might not work after formatting or reinstallation of OS. However Unistal have money back guarantee of five times of the cost of software i.e. Rs. 15000. I suppose this backsup with the case of formation of HDD and reinstallation of OS. 15000 is good enough of an amount by looking at the normal price of the laptops. Isn't it?
by Anupam Rahi, New Delhi, on Mar 12, 2008 11:07 AM, Report abuse
"The software might not work after formatting or reinstallation of OS. However Unistal have money back guarantee of five times of the cost of software i.e. Rs. 15000" - Ha ha...looks like a insurance company talk. You've got to prove that the technology is good enough to deter thefts..not just say "we'll give you money if your laptop is lost.."
by Venkat, North Wales, on Mar 13, 2008 01:49 AM, Report abuse
Everything comes with a cost, technologies can be improved. However question remain the same, WILL WE PAY RS. 10000 FOR A SOFTWARE COST TO SAVE THE LAPTOP WORTH 30K-40K?
by Anonymous, Delhi, on Mar 14, 2008 11:52 AM, Report abuse
The money refund policy will only encourage "frauds". Use the s/w and claim that the laptop has not been found. I just do not understand this s/w !
by Nagesh, Bangalore, on Mar 13, 2008 02:54 PM, Report abuse Reply
by wwewe, mumbai, on Mar 13, 2008 01:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
but what if the sys is used w/o the n/w this can b prevented if the person if has some access prevention. But, if the all the s/w and OS were to be erased, and the whole thing installed once again, then even if its logged into the n/w they wudnt be able to find out.... Is there anyway this can reside in the sys without having a possibility of erasing it
by subramani, mysore, on Mar 13, 2008 11:59 AM, Report abuse Reply
by Nitin Panchal, ahmedabad, on Mar 13, 2008 12:57 PM, Report abuse
If the offender removes the HDD and install a new HDD with new OS, erase the bios and other Softwares , is it able to locate, if yes How?
by Sekhar, Hyderabad, on Mar 13, 2008 12:54 PM, Report abuse Reply
I think this is a stupid software. Most laptops have password access therefore the thief will invariably format the HD and there goes your "Locate Laptop" ! A waste of money I guess !
by Jakc, Mumbai, on Mar 13, 2008 11:07 AM, Report abuse Reply
This is good. But what if the user never connects to internet or he formats and reinstalls everything in the stolen laptop ? ? ??
by Srinivasa Reddy, New Delhi, on Mar 12, 2008 06:33 PM, Report abuse Reply
what will happen if it is been re-installed b4 getting connected to net??
by kris, chennai, on Mar 12, 2008 02:14 PM, Report abuse Reply
what licence validity how can do this job can be trial possible extra hardware needed
by upesh rajak, indore, on Mar 11, 2008 07:50 PM, Report abuse Reply
No extra hardware needed for this software and valid for one year. In case your laptop is not traced in 90 days from the date of theft registration on the company's site with a valid FIR, then the company pays back Rs. 15,000/- to the customer.
by Rahul Singh, Gorakhpur, on Mar 12, 2008 12:19 PM, Report abuse
They said with the help of the IMEI number stolen mobile phones can be tracked. has any phone ever been retrieved? Wonder how many Laptops will be located with this new programme.
by Thomas, Mysore, on Mar 11, 2008 10:22 PM, Report abuse Reply
You are absolutely correct Thomas in case of Mobile tracking, however you will only get know about the benifits of the software after using the services.
by Anupam Rahi, New Delhi, on Mar 12, 2008 10:40 AM, Report abuse
Thats a great news to know that ppl can locate there laptop. But the big question is since its a software once OS is removed can we???
by LVS, Hyderabad, on Mar 12, 2008 09:46 AM, Report abuse Reply
the best part of the article I liked is "a report is generated with his complete details and is sent ....... This is done without the knowledge of the employee, so as to maintain privacy. " WOW... how nice?
by hawk, abc, on Mar 11, 2008 08:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
This is very good and innovative idea, but again has got many shortcomings. The application is software based and depends on the Operating System and connectivity to Internet. What if the person who steals the laptop never connects to Internet or the person Formats the Laptop or Re-Installs the Operating System. So this is not a fool proof method. This application is avoidable. The security should be on Hardware level of the laptop, and not a software based.
by Chandrakanth, Shenoy, on Mar 11, 2008 07:51 PM, Report abuse Reply
if a person who theft laptop,format window before working on it,than this software will work?
by priyvrat sharma, chandigarh, on Mar 11, 2008 07:46 PM, Report abuse Reply
This might prove a little help as now a days, Laptops are even stolen for its hardware. As the report mentions, this would only be helpful if stolen Laptop is used and culprit connects to internet. Chances are about nil. as people are well aware about this technologies. Culprit may simply open this laptop and sell its hardware, and never get caught...
by Tom, Mumbai, on Mar 11, 2008 06:21 PM, Report abuse Reply
What wil happen if the hard disk is formatted or changed?
by Sharat, NOIDA, on Mar 11, 2008 06:15 PM, Report abuse Reply
Indians are 2 smart, they always come up with different ways(right from getting unauthorized cable connection to hightech virus) I agree with Amit . Since Physical loss is not 2much for corporates as everything is insured, however data loss is 2 much so we should use some thing onlines of corrupting the harddrive and erasing the whole data with some chip inside. Naveen
by Naveen, Bangalore, on Mar 11, 2008 04:41 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Indian, India, on Mar 11, 2008 05:44 PM, Report abuse
MY DEAR , INDIA IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
by Indian, India, on Mar 11, 2008 05:47 PM, Report abuse
If somebody steals a laptop, the first thing the person does is to connect to internet ?? the idea seems good but what if the person doesnt connects to internet at all, takes a peek of local data and formats the systems before connecting to net ?? i guess we need different strategy. Heard of "safe boot" !!
by RSK, Bangalore, on Mar 11, 2008 05:36 PM, Report abuse Reply
What if the thief cannot login because of login password, and he justs formats it. There goes Locate Laptop!
by Jimmy, Mumbai, on Mar 11, 2008 05:23 PM, Report abuse Reply
This software is not only putting the privacy of the user at risk (that too without his knowing) but will be totally useless in providing any information to the authorities either...I don't think any thief who's stolen a laptop will just plug it to the internet right away anyway...so what use is this software
by Vanshidhar, Allahabad, on Mar 11, 2008 11:17 AM, Report abuse Reply
No kind of privacy is on risk, it is for ppl like you who fool around in a organization and travel to lucknow instead of Kanpur. So to keep a tab on ppl like you this is the solution from Unistal Systems.
by Rahul Singh, Gorakhpur, on Mar 11, 2008 04:41 PM, Report abuse
Looks Good....atleast in India someone is trying to do something different...pros and cons are different thing. Keep Going
by Sunil, Bangalore, on Mar 10, 2008 10:21 PM, Report abuse Reply
I do agree with you sunil. Good luck Unistal Systems !! Keep Moving ahead....
by Rahul Singh, Gorakhpur, on Mar 11, 2008 04:32 PM, Report abuse
by AMARNATH, MANGALORE, on Mar 11, 2008 04:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
Reason to come up with software tool is excellent but lacks the main use when it the laptop is not switched on or not connected to internet. You need to over come this limitation, so that everyone in the world will benefit. Anyway this software is useful for companies in locating their employees/resources who been issued laptops or for WORK FROM HOME. GOOD LUCK!!
by Ramesh, Noida, on Mar 11, 2008 04:02 PM, Report abuse Reply
by pritesh, ahmedabad, on Mar 11, 2008 01:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
Sounds interesting! But if at all the laptop is stolen not for the content within it but for the laptop itself :) then I guess we cannot do much. I mean if the box is formated and reinstalled with a new set of softwares there won't be any trace.
by Vadivel, Chennai, on Mar 10, 2008 08:06 PM, Report abuse Reply
I totally agree with Vadivel...I think we should have Lo Jack kind of Satellite tracking chip inside the laptop so that even if somebody steals,formats n installs new OS..still we can find the location of laptop..this is very common in US..Lo Jack in cars,laptops is in practise since many years..We need to make an economic version of it..
by Suku, Los Angeles, on Mar 10, 2008 10:33 PM, Report abuse
Satellite tracker? what if the thief go out of earth's orbit witht the lap top, or use a shield to cover any signal. Or... wait a minute if the thief is that rich he could afford a lap top. For those who look for a hardwarebased solution I recommend a chain and padlock. Good luck and World peace
by Pulli, Singapore, on Mar 11, 2008 12:46 PM, Report abuse
What if the theif formats the hard disk? and reinstall with some pirated OS.. and logs into the internet.. this is not a feasible solution.. u shud do something in the bios for this to be successful.. or attach some SIM card which sends out info about the location of the laptop.. This is a dear good flop software.. Anyways all the best ..
by Rosh, Ban, on Mar 11, 2008 11:53 AM, Report abuse Reply
tere should be more photos and some more deetails about the topic u r printing about
by anuj attri, panipat, on Mar 11, 2008 11:25 AM, Report abuse Reply
i think it would be better if a software like this is added in the firmware of the hardware than the OS. As most of u already said, it can be formatted or taken care of easily, firmware is something that 99% ppl dont change for laptops (ofcourse FW changes can only be done by manufacturers)... Just my 2 cents
by Jasmeet Singh /, Mumbai, on Mar 11, 2008 10:30 AM, Report abuse Reply
if this thing sends info without the users knowledge then it is opening a door for malware and hackers to get inside. even before it is stolen.
by vijay, hyderabad, on Mar 11, 2008 10:22 AM, Report abuse Reply
by vipul, panipat, on Mar 11, 2008 10:09 AM, Report abuse Reply
Nice software. Thanks for Unistal systems. From now thiefs will atleast know how knowledge is thriving and they should change their behavior.
by Kiran, Grand Forks, on Mar 10, 2008 08:51 PM, Report abuse Reply
THIEVES WILL ALWAYS BE AHEAD OF THE POLICE....
by James Bond, MMMM, on Mar 11, 2008 09:46 AM, Report abuse
I really didn't see the value addition by this software. In any ways it cannot secure the hardware. And even for the software it just post the ip details to owner. But before owner locate the laptop the theif can publish the sensitive informaion. Anyways security of the data user can only protect.
by Srinivas, Banglore, on Mar 11, 2008 09:56 AM, Report abuse
What if the operating system is reinstalled?
by Ashwani Dogra, New Delhi, on Mar 11, 2008 09:08 AM, Report abuse Reply
by yogesh bhatt, durgapur, on Mar 11, 2008 03:12 AM, Report abuse Reply
what happens somebody steals the laptop and reinstalls OS before connecting to internet? If the thief is an IT person (most likely), he can easily stop the service or kill the app through Task manager... Or Register Locate software as a spyware... spyware cleaners would take care of it ;-)
by vijay reddy, sunnyvale, ca, on Mar 11, 2008 01:24 AM, Report abuse Reply
Very interesting! In india laptop thefts are most common & increasing day by day! such softwares will definitely help it reduce a lot, but for its success it needs to reconsider its price of Rs 3,000 since nowadays laptops starts from 10K!! From: Vishvas Avachat.
by Vishwas Avachat, Pune, on Mar 10, 2008 11:36 PM, Report abuse Reply
"This is done without the knowledge of the employee, so as to maintain privacy." How does this maintain privacy? This seems just like some very expensive spyware.
by Caesar, Gurgaon, on Mar 10, 2008 09:12 PM, Report abuse Reply
If the s/w is accessing the net to publish the location details, then surely, the firewall on the laptop can be set to ensure that the program does not communicate to net. Doesn't this mean, once stolen, the laptop would then "never connect" again ?
by Nagesh, Bangalore, on Mar 10, 2008 08:58 PM, Report abuse Reply
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LAPTOP COP is easily the most superior software for laptop security. If you don't install it and you use your laptop for business then you're crazy! Even if you are student or have any data or anything you will regret to lose, only the LAPTOP COP will remotely retrieve it even if you never see the laptop itself again. As for the product above, what it do? next to nothing - it is only tracking IP Address and nothing else!! You think the Police will run around chasing after IP Adresses from the ISP and then go to the address 2-3 week later then maybe it a coffee shop or hotel lobby or some place like that. For this they want double the price of LAPTOP COP that remotely recovers your files etc. It is comparing a Delhi taxi to a Rolls Royce...and you can buy the Rolls Royce cheaper! I hate it when rich powerful software company try ripping-off its people and Rs3000 ($75) compared to multi feature LAPTOP COP at max $49.95. C'mon India get buying Laptop Cop.
by Atir, Bangalore, on Jul 12, 2008 11:47 PM, Report abuse Reply