best way to protecting mac should it get stolen

Question

Level 2

301 points

best way to protecting mac should it get stolen

I am looking in to putting belts and braces on a MBP and a MM in case they get stolen.

Now I know that most clever thief’s will just wipe the machine and reload the OS. They are not interested in the data but in selling/using the machine. But if you are lucky it is a dumb thief and you might be able to track it.

Now FileVault is turned on both machines, so that makes it harder.

Any suggestions as to software or other things one can do.

Thanks

MBP+MBP+MM+MM - 10.6+10.10

Posted on Oct 23, 2016 2:11 AM

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Answer 1

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Oct 23, 2016 3:38 AM in response to ChangeAgent

One thing you can do, is see to it that a harmless, easy accessible User account is available: http://www.imore.com/how-enable-guest-user-account-your-mac

That way the dumb thief might reveal his location.

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Answer 2

ChangeAgent Author

Level 2

301 points

Oct 23, 2016 5:09 AM in response to Esquared

Good idea. Still need software to have the machine 'call home' and 'talk' to me. any suggestions?

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Answer 3

Oct 23, 2016 6:48 AM in response to ChangeAgent

It already has "Find My Mac" features built in, you just need to enable them now, before it is stolen:

Set up Find My iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac - Apple Support

Then you activate the features after a loss:

If your Mac is lost or stolen - Apple Support

.

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Answer 4

ChangeAgent Author

Level 2

301 points

Oct 23, 2016 7:41 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, sorry I knew that, could have said so. was looking for other/extra solutions.

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Answer 5

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Oct 23, 2016 7:51 AM in response to ChangeAgent

Find my Mac works fine.

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Answer 6

ChangeAgent Author

Level 2

301 points

Oct 23, 2016 8:05 AM in response to Esquared

Trust it will, still like to know if there are other solutions people know about.

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Answer 7

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Oct 23, 2016 8:19 AM in response to ChangeAgent

I've used Undercover for some time. Never had any of my Macs stolen though, so I don't know how good it is. 🙂

http://orbicule.com/undercover/mac/

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Answer 8

ChangeAgent Author

Level 2

301 points

Oct 23, 2016 8:54 AM in response to Esquared

Thanks.

Did you test it at all? Like send alarms etc? Or see if it indeed tracks you can locate the Mac? Tracks you when WIFI is not turned off and internet is via cable?

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Answer 9

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Oct 23, 2016 8:58 AM in response to ChangeAgent

It locates the Macs it is installed on OK. Haven't tested any of the other options, and switched to Find my Mac (which essentially does the same).

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Answer 10

ChangeAgent Author

Level 2

301 points

Oct 23, 2016 9:10 AM in response to Esquared

Does WIFI need to be on for location to work? Doers it need to be logged in to a network with WIFI?

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Answer 11

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Oct 23, 2016 9:28 AM in response to ChangeAgent

AFAIK they both need WIFI to be on, but not necessarily need to be connected to a WIFI network. Since Macs do not contain GPS chips, they have to rely on a Wi-Fi Positioning System.

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Answer 12

ChangeAgent Author

Level 2

301 points

Oct 23, 2016 1:12 PM in response to Esquared

Thanks.

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