There are several programs that try to counter laptop theft, and Front Door Software's Retriever now includes the option to cry for help
When a thief opens your laptop, he could get a shock when it starts to shout "Help, I've been stolen!" or, perhaps, something ruder. But that's one of the options provided by Front Door Software's $30 Retriever program for Windows XP and Vista.
The software displays your contact details and lets you make the finder or thief an offer, such as "$50 for my safe return". However, if you log on to a web site to say your PC is missing or stolen, that message will appear in a red and yellow on the laptop's screen. It reappears every 30 seconds, to be really annoying. You also get the option to switch on a second password prompt.
Other laptop protection software allows users to erase data remotely, lock the machine, or use the built-in webcam, if there is one. For example, Absolute's LoJack (for Mac and Windows) lets you erase the hard drive, while GadgetTrak's MacTrak (for Mac) provides the same Wi-Fi positioning as Apple's iPhone. MacTrack can also send images from the stolen laptop by email, or upload them to a Flickr account. The same company offers GadgetTrak for Windows Search & Destroy.
Orbicule Undercover can transmit a picture of the thief every 6 minutes. It can also use the Mac's text-to-speech feature to cry out that it has been stolen, or use any other message you type in, if it finds itself in a Wi-Fi hotspot with a known address, such as an Apple Store.
When a thief opens your laptop, he could get a shock when it starts to shout "Help, I've been stolen!" or, perhaps, something ruder. But that's one of the options provided by Front Door Software's $30 Retriever program for Windows XP and Vista.
The software displays your contact details and lets you make the finder or thief an offer, such as "$50 for my safe return". However, if you log on to a web site to say your PC is missing or stolen, that message will appear in a red and yellow on the laptop's screen. It reappears every 30 seconds, to be really annoying. You also get the option to switch on a second password prompt.
Other laptop protection software allows users to erase data remotely, lock the machine, or use the built-in webcam, if there is one. For example, Absolute's LoJack (for Mac and Windows) lets you erase the hard drive, while GadgetTrak's MacTrak (for Mac) provides the same Wi-Fi positioning as Apple's iPhone. MacTrack can also send images from the stolen laptop by email, or upload them to a Flickr account. The same company offers GadgetTrak for Windows Search & Destroy.
Orbicule Undercover can transmit a picture of the thief every 6 minutes. It can also use the Mac's text-to-speech feature to cry out that it has been stolen, or use any other message you type in, if it finds itself in a Wi-Fi hotspot with a known address, such as an Apple Store.
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