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Feature Locate Your Stolen Computer

Discussion in 'Support & Feedback' started by digitalpoint, May 11, 2010.

  1. #1
    So my sister and brother in-law's computers were stolen and they had no way to figure out who did it or where it was, so I came up with a system to track your computer (if it's a Mac anyway)...

    http://tools.digitalpoint.com/phonehome.php
     
    digitalpoint, May 11, 2010 IP
  2. Smyrl

    Smyrl Tomato Republic Staff

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    #2
    Any plans for a PC version?
     
    Smyrl, May 11, 2010 IP
  3. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #3
    Well, I don't have a PC... so not immediately. I wouldn't even know how to make it if I had one...
     
    digitalpoint, May 11, 2010 IP
  4. deluxdon

    deluxdon Catch Me If You Can...!!!™ Staff

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    #4
    I am second that :)

    DON.
     
    deluxdon, May 11, 2010 IP
  5. Helvetii

    Helvetii Notable Member

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    #5
    There are a ton of softwares already around which do the same thing for PC's, dunno about the webcam thing but they do send the location.
     
    Helvetii, May 11, 2010 IP
  6. roopajyothi

    roopajyothi Active Member

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    #6
    What about Ubuntu??
    i do have a this type of software for my Windows but still none for ubuntu :)
     
    roopajyothi, May 12, 2010 IP
  7. Pros

    Pros Well-Known Member

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    #7
    So on a regular basis after installation, this program will send DP a webcam feed and IP usage log?
     
    Pros, May 12, 2010 IP
  8. Helvetii

    Helvetii Notable Member

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    #8
    That's one reason why many people won't install it.
     
    Helvetii, May 12, 2010 IP
  9. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #9
    It will send it's new IP address when it obtains a new one (or boots). When it sends the IP it also asks the server if it should send an image. It only sends an image when the owner requests to do so. For example maybe you only want to enable the image part after your computer is stolen.
     
    digitalpoint, May 12, 2010 IP
  10. K.Meier

    K.Meier Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Just looked at the content of the package. Some's written in PHP and AppleScript. Well the basic idea is very nice, but as long as YOU (Shawn Hogan) are in control of it and it uploads pictures from the local webcam to YOUR server, there is no way on earth people could take this serious.

    Right now you are big brother and by the click of a mouse button you can turn on the webcam, take a snapshot and upload it to your server.

    If you would make a server side tool where people can install it on their webserver, it would be acceptable.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2010
    K.Meier, May 12, 2010 IP
  11. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #11
    Lol... the app itself is open source (you can right-click to view package contents, and everything within it (including everything it does) you can see all the code for. It also does not have the ability to install anything on it's own if someone were to somehow take over our servers.

    But sure... if you think somehow someone is going to inject code when you can see the code it uses and can see it does not have the ability to save anything on your computer, well... up to you I guess. :)

    It is a legitimate concern thoguh... And aliens could also abduct you and replace your brain with someone else's to steal your identity. ;)
     
    digitalpoint, May 12, 2010 IP
  12. K.Meier

    K.Meier Well-Known Member

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    #12
    Open source or not, it doesn't change the fact that the script uploads data to your server. And as long as your server is the middle man, there a big privacy issue.

    I still like the idea of the script though, and the fact that you're a Mac user ;)
    Steam for Mac has been released by the way.
     
    K.Meier, May 12, 2010 IP
  13. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #13
    Well either way... the only thing the system can send is the output of ifconfig on the command line (since it needs to cross reference the registered MAC address). If privacy issues entail our server knowing your IP address and/or MAC address, yes... obviously you shouldn't use it.
     
    digitalpoint, May 12, 2010 IP
  14. Stroh

    Stroh Notable Member

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    #14
    Sounds like a nifty piece of software for Mac users. Of course the one I am thinking of is called Lo Jack which if anyone is looking for protection - that's the one to use.
     
    Stroh, May 13, 2010 IP
  15. ChopSuey

    ChopSuey Peon

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    #15
    Lol those BIG old mac computers. Would be useful for those. Hehe, who's the guy in the Google Maps image? You Shawn?
     
    ChopSuey, May 13, 2010 IP
  16. Imbo

    Imbo Member

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    #16
    There are plenty of commercially available programs out on the market that do that same thing, if you are concerned about your ip or images being stored by shawn. Infact there are some opensource programs that will allow you to configure it so that it uploads to your OWN servers.

    Shawn released the program as a way for him and his family to track their electronic items, and decided to open it up to digitalpoint users. I would take it as that, instead of considering it a commercial product with 256bit encryption, stored in a bunker and only accessable by users with eye scanner verification. If your personally concerned about privacy issues, look into using the commerically available software solutions.
     
    Imbo, May 13, 2010 IP
  17. roopajyothi

    roopajyothi Active Member

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    #17
    Well i asked you a question right??
    What about that??
    When will i have it for Linux Platform i.e Ubuntu
     
    roopajyothi, May 14, 2010 IP
  18. tokyoice

    tokyoice Well-Known Member

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    #18
    Awesome feature, Shawn. Nice going!
     
    tokyoice, Jun 8, 2010 IP
  19. phineasboggs

    phineasboggs Peon

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    #19
    My computer (PC) was stolen by my "friend" petsitter two weeks ago and I'm still reeling, so this thread really appealed to me. Is there anything I can do now to trace it? Any suggestions appreciated. I havent reported it to police yet (today) because I was hoping they'd bring it back.
     
    phineasboggs, Jul 19, 2010 IP
  20. bk871

    bk871 Well-Known Member

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    #20
    It's for premium members only I believe, and you'd need to have it already installed on your computer for it to track it.
     
    bk871, Jul 19, 2010 IP