Can/will an ISP trace a MAC address associated with a crime?

closeratio

closeratio

closeratio

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Manchester
Basically when I arrived home after work today, I found one of my windows broken and two of my laptops gone. It's not a massive loss because the insurance are covering the losses and the broken window, and I didn't have much on either of the laptops, but it's still a bit of a pain.

Anyway because both of these laptops have been connected to my router at one point or another, I've got both of their MAC addresses (which, if I understand correctly, are unique to the devices themselves). I asked the police officer who took the statement if the police could do anything with the MAC addresses and he recommended I talk to BT (my ISP), as they're much more likely to be able to log and trace this sort of thing than I am.

So, my question is, do you think if I got hold of BT and told them my situation, they'd be able/willing to trace the MAC addresses of my laptops if they were ever connected up to the net again?

Thanks
 
No. Assuming they're plugged into a router or logged onto a wireless AP, the ISP will have absolutely no visibility of the MAC address anyway. MAC addresses will only be visible on the local subnet, for anything outside of that subnet it'll be routed so will be down to IP addressing only which is of course not unique to a device.
 
Sucks really but I guess the only time they'd be useful is if some stolen laptops were recovered that were the same model as yours as you'd be able to give some proof that they were yours... that is of course if you didn't have the serials logged somewhere already.
 
The MAC address although permenantly unchangable in the NIC, it is perfectly possible to change it after boot up as the MAC is loaded into memory, and anything in memory can be changed. So even if it was possible to somehow trace the MAC (which its not) there could be others using that MAC or the thief could have changed the MAC.

Not much you can do now, but in the future there is software that can be installed that you can use to remotely activate the webcam, remote disable the device, or track it depending on the capabilities of the device.
 
for situations like this is there is a piece of software call Prey. Its open source and free. You basically install it on your laptop and then when you find out your phone/laptop has been stolen you login to prey and report them missing. You can then set it to do loads of stuff like turn on GPS for phones and the webcam for laptops and stuff. There was a case in the media recently were some dude stole a phone and laptop from a flat and the guy had prey on both of his devices, he called the police and told them what house his laptop and phone were in and the dude who stole his **** was even using the laptop/phone to take pics to post on facebook. He got his laptop and phone back and the dude got arrested. I cannot recommend this kinda software more, it even accivates with an SMS message to you phone as soon as you realised its stolen and can then activate its GPS and keep you updated as to were it is, i mean how ****ing cool is that! :)

check it out if you think you could use it. There is a pro version but i didnt much need it.
 
surely the problem with prey would be if they reinstalled windows? (which if there is a windows password then they may well do...)

unless it is installed underneath the OS?
 
Some laptop motherboards have the ability to ping a local router I have heard. I know dell has this option. Also look into Computrace, thats a good service.
 
hellarda said:
surely the problem with prey would be if they reinstalled windows? (which if there is a windows password then they may well do...)
Click to expand...

they will at least start it up once to see if it needs a password no?

anyway, it is free and thus worth it even if it doesnt work ;)
 
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