Theft Insurance

[boilednuts]

Jus' ordered a new laptop and wondered if theft insurance was a good idea. I don't exactly know how it works, but anyone with good or bad experiences out there? Which oufit would you reccommend?

Thanks for any input

[Anewbus]

The only company I know of would be Allstate insurance. If you have homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance then it would automatically be covered up to $5000 for theft both in your home and outside your home. If you want Loss coverage, then you have to get a Personal Property adendum (I forget what it's called), but it costs extra.

Is it worth it? It depends on where you live and the way the policy is written. My personal experience (I reside in California) is that it is worth it if your always traveling and are in unfamilar areas or on a college campus all the time. Other than that, I would weigh it carefully to see if it's worth it.

[Mazeura]

Try Lojack for Laptops. http://www.lojackforlaptops.com/
I have it on my laptop.
What it does is they have you install a small program that runs in the background, and supposedly undetectable. I don't know if your laptop is always in contact with their servers, but when your laptop is stolen you call them, and they 'call' your laptop, and it tells them where your laptop is. Then Computrace works with the police to retrieve your laptop.
It's relatively inexpensive also.

[killer2002]

This brings up a very interesting question, I only owned one other laptop then this and security is always a big deal for me. Now I was wondering if there are any extreme security measures I can take. And I am not talking about encrypting my hard drive. Is there any way that I can attach something like a taser on my laptop, or a small claymore mine. I mean if someone is going to steal my laptop, I have the mentality; if I can’t have it, no one can. But honestly is there anything besides a software solution for tracking? Like a small tracker that can be placed inside the case, my only concern is the fact that software based solutions means a program on the drive. Any smart thief will just tear this hard-drive out and tell the person they are selling my 2+ grand computer too, to just buy a new one. Of course they will be happy to buy a new 60 dollar hard-drive because they just bought my laptop for 300 cash (of course for crack). GOD I HATE CRACK HEADS. Sorry I spend a lot of time in Philadelphia, and not to get in a debate, but it is a horrible city for more then just the horrible traffic and constant killings. Anyway does anyone know of something more then just a crappy lock, or program? I do live in the murder capital of the good old USA, and this means I need more security then most people.

[Rancit]

if you read the site, you would know it installs on the bios, so if the "crackhead" takes the HD out or reformats the tracker will still be intact.

[killer2002]

Well actually if you read the website, they only install it on the Bios of major brands. And they give a list of the companies they work with. If you own a laptop which is not made by the brands they have cooperation with, then the only solution is the strictly software on your hard-drive option. So then in that point I guest I did read the web-site more so then you did. And second I still believe that lo-jack is not the zenith in laptop security, hell it barely works on cars.

PS.
Never ever ever ever listen to a companies claims of success, you can make static’s say any thing you want them to. A wise man once told me there are three kinds of lies “lies, damn lies, and static’s”.

[Rancit]

This wasn't from a review, but yea I understand where you are getting at, after all this company is only in it for the profits. For me I'll have my laptop with me at all times so I would not think I'd need anti-theft, would I?

[Jagg3d3d93]

This brings up a very interesting question, I only owned one other laptop then this and security is always a big deal for me. Now I was wondering if there are any extreme security measures I can take. And I am not talking about encrypting my hard drive. Is there any way that I can attach something like a taser on my laptop, or a small claymore mine. I mean if someone is going to steal my laptop, I have the mentality; if I can’t have it, no one can. But honestly is there anything besides a software solution for tracking? Like a small tracker that can be placed inside the case, my only concern is the fact that software based solutions means a program on the drive. Any smart thief will just tear this hard-drive out and tell the person they are selling my 2+ grand computer too, to just buy a new one. Of course they will be happy to buy a new 60 dollar hard-drive because they just bought my laptop for 300 cash (of course for crack). GOD I HATE CRACK HEADS. Sorry I spend a lot of time in Philadelphia, and not to get in a debate, but it is a horrible city for more then just the horrible traffic and constant killings. Anyway does anyone know of something more then just a crappy lock, or program? I do live in the murder capital of the good old USA, and this means I need more security then most people.


Haha I laughed, Lojack works pretty well though my friend has it on his motorcycle and it was stolen and he got it back asap, and I live in a town of around 100k people so its pretty small :-/. But I would suggest lojack because most people who steal laptops want the HD in tact so they can rifle through your personal info and steal your identity. Thats why laptops are actually prime targets, you can get more out of a computer with credit card numbers and ssn's than just selling the laptop. But if you have a small drive bay, you can look for a GPS beacon, if you can find one small enough and have a drive bay open toss it in there and seal it up, then just recharge it or whatnot every so often. It might be hard to do but it could pay off,

[Lymn]

Software tracking is not a great idea... It works for simple theft -- some random hooligan steals your laptop to sell for drugs, his gambling habit, etc.

I would say any one that is even a slight bit computer literate is going to check your hd for credit card #s, bank account #s, passwords, porn, etc; whilst off line then wipe your machine, slap a new os on it and have fun with it. The even more advanced will flash the bios to get rid of really ingrained lowjack.

What a lot of us techaholics do is take old cellphones (GSM/CDMA) that support charging via 5volt and take them out of their case and remove everything non esential (screen,keypad membrane) give it a slight coating of non conductive material (Silicon Caulk). We then afix it (you can use caulk again for this.) to some place inside the laptop where there is room (D901C for example have lots of spare room if you opt for only 2 of the 3 hard drives and/or 1 of the 2 video cards.) then wire it into an internal area of a 5v usb (not connecting the 2 data wires, so the machine does not even know anything is connected.)

[Jagg3d3d93]

Good idea LYMN you could then triangulate the position based on the towers the phone would use, thats how Im guessing you would track it, correct me if I am wrong. I should use my sony ericsson w300i for this, USB ftw.

[Lymn]

Good idea LYMN you could then triangulate the position based on the towers the phone would use, thats how Im guessing you would track it, correct me if I am wrong. I should use my sony ericsson w300i for this, USB ftw.


Ya, you can get a rough estimate using cell triangulation -- your better off doing it with a phone that supports GPS, however; some of those you don't even have to pay a monthly service plan for if you're just using GPS.

[killer2002]

I like the idea Lymn; I am just unclear on some points of this. One: do you need to keep the service activated on the cell phone? Two: is the old cell phone you using a GPS enabled cell phone? Three: Is there any service or phone type that you recommend? Four: If it isn’t a GPS enabled phone, or if for some reason you disable the function after you install it. How do then trace the cell phone. Because from what I know about cell phone tracing you need a sheriff signed paper that is then given to the phone company. And I really don’t know how easy it is going to be to explain that I installed a cell phone in my laptop to track it. I mean cops are not dumb, but then again they are not that tech savvy. So if there is anyway you can clarify it, I would greatly appreciate it.

And thank you very much for the information, I really appreciate the idea, and this has been by far the best idea I heard.
Of course besides my idea of the claymore mine. :laugh:

[Lymn]

I like the idea Lymn; I am just unclear on some points of this. One: do you need to keep the service activated on the cell phone? Two: is the old cell phone you using a GPS enabled cell phone? Three: Is there any service or phone type that you recommend? Four: If it isn’t a GPS enabled phone, or if for some reason you disable the function after you install it. How do then trace the cell phone. Because from what I know about cell phone tracing you need a sheriff signed paper that is then given to the phone company. And I really don’t know how easy it is going to be to explain that I installed a cell phone in my laptop to track it. I mean cops are not dumb, but then again they are not that tech savvy. So if there is anyway you can clarify it, I would greatly appreciate it.

And thank you very much for the information, I really appreciate the idea, and this has been by far the best idea I heard.
Of course besides my idea of the claymore mine. :laugh:



Just bring the bill for the phone you want to track to prove that it as well as your laptop are stolen. (The thief stole that phone along with the laptop anyway.) Should not be hard.

Also in the US I find that CDMA (Verizon,US Cellular,Sprint) are the most reliable when it comes to mission critical things like this. Sprint even has a cool walky talky feature (push to talk) Which could drastically help locate the device.

Not to sound to much like an anarchist, but this could be used to work your claymore system too... Good luck ever getting your laptop through customs though -- I would not recommend trying anything of that nature.

[killer2002]

Thank you very much for the information. And the claymore is just a funny little thing. I have no real intention of placing a high explosive on the laptop.

Customs: excuse me sir but you can't bring c4 explosives on the plane.

Me: well you see I am afraid if some one steals it, I might not get it back.

Customs: well either way we will have to report this.

Me: Well maybe you are just some drone of the government, and don't understand how much this laptop means to me.

Customs: Sir I am going to have to ask you to calm down!

Me: I am calm, I just want to protect my property.

Customs: sir please calm down!

(me getting tackled by two officers)

[Lymn]

Thank you very much for the information. And the claymore is just a funny little thing. I have no real intention of placing a high explosive on the laptop.

Customs: excuse me sir but you can't bring c4 explosives on the plane.

Me: well you see I am afraid if some one steals it, I might not get it back.

Customs: well either way we will have to report this.

Me: Well maybe you are just some drone of the government, and don't understand how much this laptop means to me.

Customs: Sir I am going to have to ask you to calm down!

Me: I am calm, I just want to protect my property.

Customs: sir please calm down!

(me getting tackled by two officers)

Now that I think about it actually, good luck getting it through customs at all with a cellphone inside it... that's going to be an interesting Q&A with them lol.

[Jagg3d3d93]

Now that I think about it actually, good luck getting it through customs at all with a cellphone inside it... that's going to be an interesting Q&A with them lol.

By Q&A session you mean interrogation and cavity search right? LOL

Yeah seeing as they use cell phone triggered bombs:eek: that sucks because I am sure with suspicions of explosives in laptops and the fact that you have a mangled cell phone in the heart of your laptop will go real well lol. You are now a terrorist in TSA eyes!

I remember going on a trip to dc and I get to the airport with my friends who were also on the trip, and my principal who always travels all over the world, I had an old dell laptop, no warning or signs to take it out of your bag, 10 people all pulled into the backroom to get yelled at by security, then we all had to get patted down, and all our laptops were taken for an explosives test, which meant we didnt have our laptops for 4 hours while waiting for our flight:(. That day sucked and it doesnt help that our principle is very dark tan and has a "foreign" accent. Im pretty sure we are all on do not fly lists now because of that day.

[killer2002]

Well my fellow security freaks, I believe I have found the solution. The P-Trac Micro by Brick House Security, although I do not know all the details about this product, this is what I do know. It cost 449.95 (USD) and it is small enough to fit in the laptop, either the hard drive bays, or hell even super glue the damn things on. There is a one time fee for “Emergency Locate on Demand Plan”. This device works out doors using GPS, or indoors utilizing cell signals. Also for all you guys who have a very low trust of your significant other. There is also many other subscription plans. For the budget stalker, there is a 30 locates per month plan for 29.95, and for the wealthier crazy people there is the 3000 locates per month service for 79.95.

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/small-covert-gps-tracker.html

[Rancit]

Free open-source (possible?) alternative to Lo-Jack

http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/index.html

[Lymn]

Free open-source (possible?) alternative to Lo-Jack

http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/index.html

The problem still stands that it is a software based system that is as easy to remove as formating the hard drive...

[Rancit]

Yea, I just saw it, so I figured I would post it for anyone to read.

[tenuulch]

I think insurance in general is ridiculous. I don't ever pay for any insurance unless I absolutely have to, and then the bare minimum. Nothing can ever be fully "insured". You lose something, that's it, big deal. You move on. Material things are of little value. In fact, hah, the thought just occurred to me, I have the urge to take this NP9262 and just smash it to bits into the ground. But not yet, the sweat on my father's back won't allow for it.

[rugbycanada]

PS.
Never ever ever ever listen to a companies claims of success, you can make static’s say any thing you want them to. A wise man once told me there are three kinds of lies “lies, damn lies, and static’s”.

Shouldn't that be "a company's claim" and "statistics"?

[killer2002]

Shouldn't that be "a company's claim" and "statistics"?


Yes it should be, but I type my replies fast so I really don't pay attention to mistakes, and could careless about them as long as people get my point. Thanks for the concern on my spelling/grammar maybe when I am finished with my doctorate thesis you can read it for me. Ok

[rugbycanada]

Don't be so sensitive, besides I too am an illiterate college grad. All tongue and cheek, dry humor is lost in print sometimes and I don't do smiley faces.
I would have let the grammar go but if you are going to pay homage to "a wise man" you should at least quote them accurately.
Statics is a completely different area of physics so people may not have gotten your point.(which was your point)
Oh, the wise man was Prime Minister Disraeli although most attribute it to Mark Twain