Computer Anti-Theft Idea - modem calling 911?

[Train]

I was thinking up some possible stolen computer-retrieval ideas, one im tossing around is having an application verify the user, and if repeated attempts to verify fail, then the computer secretly attempts to get a dial tone on the modem, once one is detected, it dials 911 and plays a pre-recorded wav file, saying something like "I am a stolen computer, I am registered with blah-blah.com security corporation ID # 12345" etc, and since the 911 company has caller ID, they would know exactly where the stolen computer is.

Sound like a good idea?

 

[Adul]

it sounds like an Idea. BUt it needs refinement. Let say your kid wsa banging on the keybaords or you dont have a modem. Maybe thumb print identity would be a good idea. A radio transmitter like similiar to low jack could also be considered.

 

[crypticlogin]

One of the issues with a security system like the one you propose is that it requires a link to the outside world, in this case the phone line. If your idea was to alert the policle of a computer that was removed from a building, the thief/thieves would need to set up the computer, plug it in, hook up the phone line, and then attempt to get past the verification.. most thieves aren't terribly stupid and would keep the computer disconnected from the internet or phone lines until they know they've got full control. Or at least if I was a computer thief, that's what I would do.

An extension of your idea could be to have wireless tracers attached to the machines and if the machines get out of a certain range, then you start running around with directional RF gear. At least that would eliminate the phone line or other cabling.

There was a story a while back (to date, I haven't read it being verified) that someone doing a distributed computing project had his computer stolen. A little while later, the stolen computer was returning packets from a traceable IP and the thief was busted after the ISP was subpeoned for a user account. In this situation, the owner had everything going for him: a not-too-bright thief, an identifiable location, etc., etc.

 

[Moohooya]

Erm, is computer theft a big issue?

The idea is interesting, but I wonder how practical. I'd guess most thefts of computers would be laptops, done by semi-professional theives who sell them to shady dealers. These dealers, being shady, format the HD and reinstall to remove all traces of the previous owner, so they can be sold.

Assuming that there is a desire for software that does this, I'm sure something else could be done to improve on the idea to avoid a 911 call. Remember also, that not all areas have 911. (Surprised me too!) If I was to write such software, I'd wait for the theif to dial in. Given the fact they have already plugged in the modem, no doubt they will dial in. Once dialed in, then fire off an email to the owner with the ip address of their theif.

Perhaps the software could also detect if there is a video camera attached, and if so post messages to buliten boards with the thiefs photo

 

[Adul]

the reason he mention this is because train's PC was stolen from his apt recently. So he has been brainstorming ideas since on anti theft measures. Has with any anti-theft measures there is always a way ti disable it some how. But it should help curve theft to have something. A radio base transmitter like lowjack isa good idea. I could be an option sold on new laptops and such.

 

[crypticlogin]

<< the reason he mention this is because train's PC was stolen from his apt recently. So he has been brainstorming ideas since on anti theft measures. Has with any anti-theft measures there is always a way ti disable it some how. But it should help curve theft to have something. >>



If that was the case, then I think better security measures should be applied to the apartment before the computer. Sorry this happened to you, Train.

 

[Damascus]

Some companies already have similar technology available. Can't remember names though.

 

[IndyJaws]

<< Some companies already have similar technology available. Can't remember names though. >>



I administer a large fleet of notebooks for our company. We use a product called Computrace. If the notebook (or desktop, if you prefer) is stolen, the first time that machine connects to the Internet, a log is created. If using dialup, ANI will determine the phone number where the call was made (not where it was calling), regardless if Caller ID blocking was used or not. If using ethernet, the IP address is logged. Either way, Computrace then works with law enforcement to recover the computer. They claim a very high recovery rate, and I have no reason to dispute it. I even got a call the other day from our account manager with concerns that some of the units had not connected in a while. They were training notebooks that are quiet during the holiday season, but that level of attention is impressive. I almost hope someone steals one so we can bust them!

 

[BraeBrae]

<< I was thinking up some possible stolen computer-retrieval ideas, one im tossing around is having an application verify the user, and if repeated attempts to verify fail, then the computer secretly attempts to get a dial tone on the modem, once one is detected, it dials 911 and plays a pre-recorded wav file, saying something like "I am a stolen computer, I am registered with blah-blah.com security corporation ID # 12345" etc, and since the 911 company has caller ID, they would know exactly where the stolen computer is.
Sound like a good idea? >>



Here are three holes in this idea:

1.) If this is meant during the initial theft a thief could simple override the phone service and still make the home's alarm act like it has a normal dial-tone, but it will not. This would a more elegent solution to thief simply cutting the phone line.
2.) I would image that a thief smart enough to break into a home and steal computer equipment would be smart enough to wipe the drive clean before disposing of it to some buyer.
3.) This would require the computer to be on, which is mute during a power outage or for those that do not normally leave their PC on 24X7.

I would consider marketing a cellular or paging-integrated device that can run primarily off of the PC's power supply unit plus a rechargerable battery (just like a cell phone), and upon movement (without diabling the secuirty) of the chassis by a considerable degree 'phone home' to daddy. You probably could get something rigged for about $100 if you know the right people.

 

[Turkey]

Seems like you're trying the "ET-phone-home" method of retreival, which would only work, obviously, if there were a "phone" around. I think the "homing beacon" method would be a little more promising, because a person can pretty reliably figure out how far another person could have travelled in a certain amount of time. The only problems would be if the person could disable the homing beacon easily (take out the battery or put the PC in a shielded bag), and that a homing beacon would be emitting tons of radiation (noise) around all those PC parts. Deterrent is the best... put a 286 in prominent display next to your monitor, then keep your PC in a locked ventilated cabinet .

 

[XWolfsraider]

Turkey

great idea got me thinking of a new use for that old 486 lol

and by adding power who would know that my computer really is p-4 1.5 lol anybody wanna lal jk


but thanks for the tip VERY NICE....

 

[Kartman]

<< Seems like you're trying the "ET-phone-home" method of retreival. >>



Although I was suggesting a passive method for handling the theft (i.e. thief didn't know what was happening), I suppose a direct active method is just as viable. Most (at least those that I know) have insurance against theft. Thence, the device should be more to focus at depriving the thief of their catch-of-the-day. Simply use a hardware mechanism that if its out-of-reach of a cellular/paging system, the active device discharges across the motherboard and IDE bus within a given period of time. If the stolen PC is booted before the timer is disengaged or runs out the 110V runs through a small transformer to wack the system with whatever destructuve [electrical] force is needed to reduce the components unusable.

I, personally, carry $12K worth of computing insurance on my homeowner's policy, plus an additional $10K on just HT electronics. Thus, if something is stolen I do NOT want it returned, and would be quite happy if something passively destroyed what was stolen. I backup in a normal manner so data lose is minimized. Thus, we are only talking about the inconvenience of having to buy brand new equipment, hehe. Wow, what an inconvenience!

 

[clockhar]

Consider this:
If you want your computer back (big if - depends if you have insurance as stated above), you could implement a hardware GPS system on the computer (attached to motherboard). That way you can check online (or however you want) to pinpoint your computer's whereabouts no matter where it is (if it is Asia or whatever). If the hardware GPS system is disabled for some reason, the computer will fail to boot (there'd be a huge warning message on the system to deter criminals). Maybe even have the GPS system have a backup battery for transmsitting at any time. Any holes there?

 

[crypticlogin]

<< Any holes there? >>



Probably the biggest one: unless the system is a laptop or the computer is being used outside, GPS acquisition would be either intermittent at best, or simply non-functional. Chances are the stolen computer would be in someone's apartment or inside an office building, and unless the computer was put next to a window (and that's a big conditional), the system wouldn't be able to give you a position.

And if you're transmitting the location, why not triangulate the position simply from the transmission? It wouldn't require being next to a window for it to work.

 

[BraeBrae]

What probably would be better is if a device is integrated in a PCI/TypeII slot and remained inconspicuous to a thief, but simply received a beacon signal from another device somewhere on the same premises. If the installed device were to be moved out of a certain area the device would stop detecting the beacon's signal and simply destroy the host its installed upon.

Something could be adapted using the 802.11b home wireless LAN technology. If the owner, or someone on the owner's behalf, needs to move the computer (PC, laptop, Mac) from the premises they simply shutdown the device in a proper manner. The device can be passive and run on a rechargable battery (laptop), or trickle power (PC & Mac). The associated device can be simple, hidden anywhere in the home, and offer a 'safety' field for one or more computing devices.

If the device is needed for travel (such as for business travel), simply bring both components and hide the beacon device under a bed, in a closet, or within a range of a parked car with the beacon running on a DC-adapter from the 12V source. this would also work for laptops sitting in vehicles, too.

"He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing," Paul Atreides, Dune

 

[Turkey]

Anyone ever seen the Iron Giant?

"Hey! What the heck's going on? Why's my computer moving?"

 

[Kartman]

<< Anyone ever seen the Iron Giant?
>>



The movie?

 

[Turkey]

Yep, the movie. Cartoon actors and a sentient robot, the Iron Giant. If any of the Giant's parts came off/broke off from his body, his head would start beaconing to the parts, and they would all come back to the head using their own power. I think it could be done with nanobots.

 

[Kartman]

<< Yep, the movie. Cartoon actors and a sentient robot, the Iron Giant. If any of the Giant's parts came off/broke off from his body, his head would start beaconing to the parts, and they would all come back to the head using their own power. I think it could be done with nanobots. >>



Ahhh, nanobots. I think it would be interesting to have them in our butts so we would never have to take another crap again. But then I think that 'somehow' would produce a huge amount of gas and we would all be farting starting 30 minutes after insertion. But then we could simply have more nanobots take care of the methane or our noses and ...