Nan just got burgled - Help me track the laptop

ChocolateStarfishRammer

ChocolateStarfishRammer

ChocolateStarfishRammer

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So my Nan was burgled last night, and although they're ok, the thieves got away with around £700 cash (silly to keep in the house), loads of jewellery, and her fairly new laptop.

Now said laptop has Logmein installed on it. And should it come online, I plan on doing everything I can to find these scum.

I'm not interested in just crippling the laptop as this will only push them to wipe it, and there's no important personal info on there so there's nothing in that respect to recover.

But, it does have a webcam.

So OCUK and you detectives lurking in the corner, what's the best I can do here should it come online? Preferably without notifying them I'm doing stuff for as long as possible.

EVH said:
As soon as you connect with logmein, it'll pop up with a dialog.
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With Logmein Free yes.

Apologies, I did not mention its the paid for version. I can access the entire hard drive without any notifications.
 
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As soon as you connect with logmein, it'll pop up with a dialog.

At best you could log in and scare them :confused:
 
Having logme in installed wont do anything will it ? you need to accept any request to connect to anyone.

If they have any sense it would have already been wiped by now, but you know the saying "thick as theives"

Good look in getting your Nans laptop back :)
 
Thats bad just before christmas, I would imagine they have sold it to some unsusepcting mug, unless they give it to someone as a christmas present. Good luck tracking it down, what will you do if you find them?
 
Well, you could start by checking browser history, maybe see if they left themselves logged in on a shopping website/email client and look for delivery addresses? Webcam image would help with that of course.

If they're smart they'll wipe it straight away to make it easier to sell though.
 
Maccy said:
With Logmein, can you remotely install software? If so, I'd have a look at Prey Project, pretty good for recovering stolen devices.
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Devrij said:
You may end up with a UAC window popping up though, which might alert your prey. Better to gather info first, but otherwise I agree.
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Agreed.

Could potentially setup a batch script to run the software on startup..

Have it popup some generic message they will just click yes to and it'll install.

Could also get into registry first and attempt to disable uac.
 
Just bear in mind that the people who you may be trying to catch have probably bought the laptop quite innocently. Unlikely that the thieves will keep it themselves.
 
Clav said:
Just bear in mind that the people who you may be trying to catch have probably bought the laptop quite innocently. Unlikely that the thieves will keep it themselves.
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yes this

btw is it a good laptop or what?
how much is it worth?
 
Clav said:
Just bear in mind that the people who you may be trying to catch have probably bought the laptop quite innocently. Unlikely that the thieves will keep it themselves.
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You mean before I go knocking on the door with a bat you mean?

psd99 said:
btw is it a good laptop or what?
how much is it worth?
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£600 Acer

Shayper said:
Also, if you have the serial number, report it to the police.
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Already have done.
 
Ok, so Id say I'm pretty ready now should it come online.

I've setup a couple batch scripts that will install Prey silently.

The install takes about 6 seconds and only sign is a quick cmd icon pop up on startbar.

Steps will take if it comes online:

1. Remote into HDD
2. Remote into Registry & set UAC to Never Notify.
3. Copy files necessary to HDD
4. Open new process (batch file i've just copied)
5. Wait for the information to gather on Prey's website.

:)
 
I know there is the occasional bit of press about laptop tracks, but most of it will be a waste of time.

For one, a map pinpoint is probably only going to narrow it down to a sprawling housing estate, its not going to be a clearly defined detached house, so chances are, even if you know the area it is in, there is no way you can go bang down somebodies door.

Your best chance of retrieval is probably if it gets sold to a dodgy cash converters, as you would easily have the law behind you then.

Otherwise, in most of these cases the Police don't want to know, as they have other things they can be doing than trying to track down a laptop when an insurance company will just provide a new one.
 
Nexus said:
Otherwise, in most of these cases the Police don't want to know, as they have other things they can be doing than trying to track down a laptop when an insurance company will just provide a new one.
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Couldn't agree more.. I don't hold any faith with the police.

Nexus said:
For one, a map pinpoint is probably only going to narrow it down to a sprawling housing estate, its not going to be a clearly defined detached house, so chances are, even if you know the area it is in, there is no way you can go bang down somebodies door.
Click to expand...

Agreed, location off IP addressing and local wifi will only give me a rough idea of a housing estate.

However, Join that info up with a print out of the mugs on webcam and start knocking doors. Will only take the small half of an afternoon :)
 
^^ Although it's sad, this is probably true. They probably do not care and more than likely will not chase it.

I hope your method works though, it will be interesting to see how it pans out.
 
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