Hi! I am not sure how many of you are Mac lovers, but I am. I've been an avid mac user since 2000 when I bought my first iMac. After a few years I got my first mac book and since then I haven't changed to another brand. But, I lost one 2 years ago.rnIf you are like most people, your gadgets are probably the center of your life; always connected with business colleagues, family and friends on your mobile devices and often store delicate personal and business data and processes on your laptop. The truth is, for most of us, our world revolves on these devices that the thought of them getting lost or stolen is almost horrible. But hey, that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. If you have been following the news, you will have heard that electronic gadgets, including laptops, smartphones and tablets are among the items that most thieves target nowadays. So instead of nurturing the idea that you can’t lose them, why not, for a second, think of a protection that will stay active and may even help you to recover your device even if stolen? Luckily for us, Mac users, there are already some active anti-theft solutions; the Undercover and the GadgetTrack.
Undercover
Undercover, is an anti-theft software created by Orbicule, a Mac’s only software developing firm, that helps in the recovery of any stolen Mac. It works by transmitting data about the location of the Mac, the picture of the supposedly new owner (thief) and screenshots that will help you to know exactly what the laptop is being used for.
How Does Undercover Work?
According to
qetes.com, a tech coupon site, Undercover uses advanced technology that works with the aid of Wi-Fi positioning to transmit network information at a range of 10 to 20 meters with which the recovery center can use to effectively track and locate the Mac product. It is the first anti-theft recovery software that is capable of sending screenshots of the Mac at regular intervals while collecting follow-up shots on the activity of the thief, including when chatting, reading or sending email messages or when logging into social sites like facebook, twitter, etc. Additionally, this software is also capable of using the iSight that is now available with most devices to snap and send pictures of the thief and his surroundings. When coupled with the screenshots, these leave enough evidence to file a report to the right authority with which they can track, capture the thief and recover your Mac.rnWhat if every attempt for recovery fails? Exactly the question I had in mind, but it seemed they had everything planned out. In addition to the recovery efforts, Undercover is also equipped with a system that triggers its plan B action if recovery attempt fails. This plan starts with simulating a hardware failure that turns the screen dark and unusable within 30 minutes. That’s not all; if eventually the thief decides to sell off the device, once the stolen Mac is opened, a message will appear on the screen alerting the person that this is a stolen item and as a result has been rendered unusable. The person will also see the ‘thank-you’ gift offer with the right contact information if he decides to return the property. Mac won’t only display this message but will start shouting it!
Has This Actually Worked For Anybody?
I wondered this too until I read a report about what happened in Michigan where an anti-theft software helped the police arrest a MacBook thief. According to the story, a 19-year old thief ransacked a room in Michigan and stole a MacBook not knowing that the device had anti-theft software installed - specifically the Undercover from Orbicule. The owner reported that once the laptop was turned on, he received an email containing the thief’s snapshot, screenshot which revealed his Facebook identity where he was bragging to a friend how he would sell the stolen device, and enough data about the laptop’s location. Hence with the help of Undercover, the thief was arrested and now facing charges in court.
Was That The Only Person That Has Tried Undercover?
Not at all! I also read several other stories about how this anti-theft software like this, helped many people in recovering their laptops. However, I found the story of one college girl more interesting. Her friend’s laptop was stolen at a party and taken to a nearby college. However, about 3 days later (took that long because it seemed the laptop’s battery was low), she got screenshots and other surrounding snapshots which the school authorities used to tract and recover the laptop.
GadgetTrak
GadgetTrak is a tracking software designed to facilitate the chances of recovering your stolen laptop. Its operation also depends on Wi-Fi positioning with which it can effectively pinpoint the laptop’s location. It is also equipped with the right tools that can use the camera on the device to take snapshots of the thief and send to the rightful owner. With GadgetTrak, nobody can have access to modifying the software setting on the laptop unless the tracking is deactivated. This ensures that your device is safe and un-tampered with until recovery. To provide you with a reliable privacy and quality service, all the data coming from GadgetTrak as part of its services are, by default, sent to the owner’s email and flickr account. Hence allowing you to take any action you want with the pool of information you have on the thief!
How effective is GadgetTrak?
GadgetTrak has been used by many satisfied customers. One of the stories that caught my attention indicated that a thief burgled a house and made away with a HP laptop including about $4,000. However, once the computer was turned on, GadgetTrak which was installed on the laptop started sending location details about the laptop and the suspect’s snapshots. Though the report said it wasn’t the first time the house had been burgled, but it seemed that the owner installed GadgetTrak with hopes that it would expose her perpetrators one day, and it sure did. The case was reported to the police with the location and identity details collected by GadgetTrak and the device was effectively recovered.rnUndercover and GadgetTrak, to me, are the best anti-theft software in the market now. Not only did the developers stand behind the promises they made with these tools with some remarkable guarantee, but a lot of users have actually used and confirmed their effectiveness.