Desktop PC theft solutions?

StarSolitude · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:04

Hi,

I'll be going to university in September, and will be staying in halls for the first year. I'm taking my computer (and keyboard, mouse, external hard-drive etc) which is a lot of expensive kit. I'm concerned about the possibility of theft.

I know for laptops you can get locks of some kind. But what about for desktop PC's and monitors?

I have an ANTEC 902 case. Any solutions?

Jordan97 · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:07

CCTV.

Leeroy123 · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:09

My mate went to uni with his system and he knew some guy that worked for the police and he got them to fit a chip hidden inside with a tracker on lol. i know it sounds extreme but they will do it if you ask them.

Jordan97 · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:10

Tie a piece of string to the PC and set up a simple circuit that, when the string is pulled, sets off an alarm.

J.B · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:12

Most modern cases and monitors have Kensington Lock holes on which can go some way to locking the machine to something sturdy.

I think the Antec might have a space for one. Its just a small rectangular hole.

Other than that, insurance and a good backup procedure.

joey1211 · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:13

Jordan97 said:
Tie a piece of string to the PC and set up a simple circuit that, when the string is pulled, sets off an alarm.

lol, for real? He could just tie the string to his ankle. If he feels a tug on his leg in lectures, he'll know someones making off with his rig!

Linkex · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:18

Cases often have little tabs sticking out designed to put a padlock through - stop people opening the machine and nicking bits at lans. If yours has one, a cable through that to something solid should stop them.

Better yet, pop a web cam on top, set up a motion activated video recorder that streams straight to youtube. Then, when its stolen, you can find out who nicked it. And kill them.

Blue160 · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:36

Most important, make sure it's properly insured.

Socrates470BC · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:41

Remember this: This Guy has My MacBook

StarSolitude · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:55

Blue160 said:
Most important, make sure it's properly insured.

Stupid question but, how do I insure a PC? Would it be included with my uni room insurance?

And... how exactly would they know my PC had been stolen, and that I wasn't just telling them it'd been stolen to claim on insurance? I've always wondered that.

Jordan97 · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:57

StarSolitude said:
And... how exactly would they know my PC had been stolen, and that I wasn't just telling them it'd been stolen to claim on insurance? I've always wondered that.

The insurance company would have to believe you, but in the event they found out you were lying, you'd receive a very hefty bill in the post and you would probably have to go to court.

StarSolitude · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:00

Jordan97 said:
The insurance company would have to believe you, but in the event they found out you were lying, you'd receive a very hefty bill in the post and you would probably have to go to court.

But how would they find out I was lying? See, this is why I'm suspicious of insurance companies. And I'll bet if my PC ever does get stolen they "won't believe me", and I'd have wasted £££.

GeX · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:13

Because if it was stolen, you'd report it to the police and then get a crime reference number. If they wanted to check it out, they'd contact the police.

J.B · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:14

StarSolitude said:
But how would they find out I was lying? See, this is why I'm suspicious of insurance companies. And I'll bet if my PC ever does get stolen they "won't believe me", and I'd have wasted £££.

They can't not believe you. They can be suspicious and send someone out to investigate, ask for police crime reference number etc but if you are telling the truth then you have nothing to fear.

Check the uni insurance policy. When I was in halls the insurance covered a PC up to £1000 which was enough.

jason2_uk · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:14

If your PC is stolen, you will need a police report, that shows that a crime has been committed, and your room has been broken into via forced entry. If you leave your door open/unlocked you will not be covered.
This is the beginning of making your claim, with a police report saying their is a break in, that is good enough in most cases for insurance claims.
The reason to not just claim it has been stolen, when you have actually left it round your mates is first, you have to make the police believe there was a break in, and then the insurance. If you're caught out by either side, its known as a little thing called fraud, and will get you into a lot of trouble, criminal record bla bla bla, and you will probably get kicked out of university

panyan · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:15

At most uni's, the insurance is supplied by Ensleigh, and they will only pay out if there has been an obvious force of entry e.g. someone kicked down your door whilst you were at lectures and robbed you. Also, you arent covered if it is stolen from outside your room e.g. your bag was taken with your laptop in it

valkia · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:17

You can buy a wire padlock which is used at lans/business & schools. Basically just straps it down.If the case can be locked also do that.

Buchanan0204 · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:27

Get some cool stickers saying, "Warning, this PC is fitted with an undetectable (because it isn't there) tracking chip, thief's will be caught and prosecuted"

I'm sure that would be enough to fend them off. Just don't go telling your room mate or anyone else it's fake. Pretend like it's real, spread the word it's real. Only you will ever know.

TNGL · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:32

+1 for Wire padlock. You could then tie it around your desk, or something else in reach.

Socrates470BC · 29 Jul 2011 at 13:34

+1 for padlock and other preventative measures.

Also ensure that you have backups of all your important files kept safely and separately.

Finally, you could add something which could help get your stuff back.

Has anyone used Prey Open Source Anti Theft Solution or something similar?

I am always wary of downloading free software.