Protecting Macbookpro in case it gets stolen

Get this, free, open source, silent, & it works:

http://preyproject.com/

Yep, I use it & I use the "free" version. On all of my laptops.

No firmware password...that can be easily defeated if you know what you're doing. Nice thing about prey is that there is no indication that it is in use, & thus cannot be turned off by a thief...gives you time to track the machine. And since it's open source, you know exactly what's being installed & where.

Prey is good, you want the crook to use the computer and thus Prey can give up it's location, which you take that info to the police and have them grab it.

If the crook doesn't use the machine they will wipe it and Prey will be gone.

You must maintain proof of purchase and other information to prove to the police it's your machine or else the guy will say you sold it to them for cash, no reciept and then your deadlocked.

A dummy general user account with no password or a easy clue, with another admin account locked down may be enough for the crook to use the machine trying to find out how to break the admin password, etc., which Prey will be doing it's job in the background.

When you grab the machine, you give the cops the admin password and it opens the user account, thus proving you didn't sell it..

Of course the best course of action is to watch your stuff and don't turn your back on it for a second because they are waiting to snatch it. 🙂

Nothing is fool proof. The deal with any tracking software is you want the thief to use your computer & not be aware any tracking software is installed. If they suspect tracking software, well they will just format the drive & that's that. That's why I like prey...there is no indication it is installed & it's free & works.

Regarding a firmware password...IMO, more problems than protection, but each to their own.

You're welcome.

I second Prey. They regularly post a recovery story by one of their users. It's awesome to read!

http://preyproject.com/blog/cat/recoveries