Just stole a computer...

[Daldacci]

from a local office.(hypothetically)


What are the chances of me getting caught?

[bloodlusta]

Originally Posted by Daldacci

from a local office. The window was open and I acted on impulse. I climbed in and looked around. All the lights were off except one hall light that shone in. I found no cameras so I took one of the computers. I carried it out the back door and into my car. I don't think anyone saw me.

Now that I'm home I've become a bit paranoid. Is there any chance I could get caught???


Oh and sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I know you are just joking and doing this to get a reaction.

But if you had stolen a computer (hypotheticly) then when you connect it to the internet they may be able to trace it. A bunch of computers where stolen from the local uni and they mannaged to 'hack' them and get their adress and get the camera to take pictures and emailed them to the cops. So if it has a camera on it first thing would be to put tape over the camera and don't go on the net (hypotheticly)

[shetlan]

Originally Posted by bloodlusta

I know you are just joking and doing this to get a reaction.

But if you had stolen a computer (hypotheticly) then when you connect it to the internet they may be able to trace it. A bunch of computers where stolen from the local uni and they mannaged to 'hack' them and get their adress and get the camera to take pictures and emailed them to the cops. So if it has a camera on it first thing would be to put tape over the camera and don't go on the net (hypotheticly)

This would hypothetically make the computer hypothetically useless for all hypothetical purposes beyond hypothetical word processing and hypothetical file storage.

Also, if the hypothetical computer is equipped with a hypothetical wireless card, they can hypothetically find you based on the hypothetical wi-fi connection you're hypothetically tapped into.

[_Th0r_]

I'll give you the same advice I've been giving people for two years.

Remove all labels from the underside of the laptop (I assume you're talking about a laptop, if a desktop the stickers that are on the laptop are on the rear of the PC.).

After that's been done, remove the HD (Either for analysis (Might get some CC's or other 'interesting' things. or to format.).

Then place a new HD in the PC and disable the Wi-Fi card, using a USB Wi-Fi dongle in place of the Wi-Fi card.

XxXxX

An idea I came up with a while ago for securing items which can connect to the net via Wi-Fi would be to purchase a domain, stick a Google search bar on the front page, as well as links to sites you often visit.

The front page would be the default for all devices you owned.

Said hompage would be fitted with a means of viewing the IP's that visited it as well.

Which means when a device is stolen from you, using the Wi-Fi on the device will reveal the thief's IP address. The IP address can then be used to track down the thief.

I came up with the idea after my friend had his PSP and iPod Touch lifted from his jacket in a lab. Between the two of us we were convinced the thief was someone in the room and lifted the devices after they heard my friend talking about using the Wi-Fi on the touch.

[Daldacci]

Originally Posted by bloodlusta

I know you are just joking and doing this to get a reaction.

But if you had stolen a computer (hypotheticly) then when you connect it to the internet they may be able to trace it. A bunch of computers where stolen from the local uni and they mannaged to 'hack' them and get their adress and get the camera to take pictures and emailed them to the cops. So if it has a camera on it first thing would be to put tape over the camera and don't go on the net (hypotheticly)

In order for them to track the computers internet connection wouldn't they need to have some sort of software installed on the computer that could track it? So if I've searched the computers HD and have found no such program isn't it virtually impossible for them to find it via the net?

[shetlan]

Originally Posted by Daldacci

In order for them to track the computers internet connection wouldn't they need to have some sort of software installed on the computer that could track it? So if I've searched the computers HD and have found no such program isn't it virtually impossible for them to find it via the net?

Oh they do. The wireless network connection has a code specific to the individual wireless card. The card itself is the tracking system.

[Daldacci]

Originally Posted by shetlan

Oh they do. The wireless network connection has a code specific to the individual wireless card. The card itself is the tracking system.

What if the computer doesn't have a wireless card?

[db]

Originally Posted by shetlan

Oh they do. The wireless network connection has a code specific to the individual wireless card. The card itself is the tracking system.

I'm assuming your talking about MAC addresses. How would one track it besides 3rd party software ie Lojack, having the police phone local ISPs and hoping it is not connected behind a router, or notifying the manufacturer?

Edit
Also assuming the user isn't connecting to the victims network.

[bloodlusta]

Originally Posted by Daldacci

What if the computer doesn't have a wireless card?

From my understanding every computer has its own ID (not IP). What this software does it it scans all the computers online (not as hard as it sounds, think of it like google search) and when that ID comes online it downloads itself onto the computer. The owner of the computer whould have to know that ID in the first place, so households are unlikly to know it but a business is.

[FPSee]

Gone Done !!!

[bloodlusta]

Not really, both are dealing with the same situation, just at oppsite ends, and both are trying to understand how it works.

Get in touch with the people at Itunes, I think they have software that tracks it when they log on.

[lnsurgent]

I lol'd hard at your first post, Shet. Just sayin'.


Also, toss the pc. Honestly, why waste time on such a thing? Unless it contains documentation which could prove useful, it's useless.

Just think, you could (have) be(en) charged with breaking and entering, and theft, all for a useless computer. Congratulations.

[FPSee]

Gone Done !!!