How to Track and (Potentially) Recover Your Stolen Laptop or Android with Prey

x0fx3 Says:

Sep 23, 2010 - This won't work if your OS is pwd protected so they can't log in to it. (unless they know how)

oomagoolies Says:

Sep 23, 2010 - The majority of people I know dont know how to format a drive and they are certainly unaware that this type of software is available so I see a definite advantage to having this on your machine, if only for a little peace of mind. Also most people only just understand anti-virus so passwords and BIOS mean nothing, I think prey is gonna help me make alot of people feel better

Habstinat Says:

Sep 23, 2010 - @x0fx3, actually, on Linux and Mac, it runs as root so it will work even if they don't log in. Unfortunately the Windows version only works if you're logged in, but Prey recommends to make a "Dummy" account on Windows without a password to lure the thief in so you can get that data quickly.

Habstinat Says:

Sep 23, 2010 - The app is web-based, so theoretically you could even access it from a phone or a friend's computer.

gminny14 Says:

Sep 30, 2010 - It is interesting how nobody has done their homework on the company that runs this. I did. Do you realize that the project is owned by a company called Fork Ltd. which is in China? So everyone is installing this application that has access to sensitive data on your computer, your web camera etc and not a single person thinks to look where the application comes from. They say it is open source...yet their are a number of compiled binary files where the source code is not included at all.

therealorberon Says:

Oct 7, 2010 - What the fuck is wrong with a company from china? just because it's a China company doesn't give it any reason to be monitoring your data. Any softwares you install can do the same. use your brains and do more homework.

ToonieU Says:

Oct 12, 2010 - what program are you using for your screen cast?

ToonieU Says:

Oct 12, 2010 - I'm sure there's a local library near by.

awk91 Says:

Oct 14, 2010 - there is no internet privacy in China, they tried to hack google from a goverment funded university, never buy any software from china unless you know the company well via their history, and other products they make in colaberation with big name companies.

nicksca2002 Says:

Nov 11, 2010 - if the thief does NOT connect the laptop to any network this software is useless.. isnt it?In that case how to save info/ how to recover the laptop?

AmazingEight Says:

Jan 1, 2011 - © 2010 - Fork Ltd.LatAm: Providencia 1232, Santiago, Chile - (2) 2354170.Asia: 813, 8/F Hollywood Plaza, 610 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong - (852) 8102 2592Why aren't you bashing on the Latin American people too? Tomás Pollak and Carlos Yaconi are the founders of the company. Those don't sound Chinese to me, and if you look at the tab that says "Our Company" It is two white guys smiling for the camera. If that was really homework I'd give you a D-.

MrCurlyMoose Says:

Jan 5, 2011 - What happens when the villain formats the drive?

MrCurlyMoose Says:

Jan 5, 2011 - What happens when the villain formats the drive prior to connecting to the internet?

pandaSmore Says:

Jan 30, 2011 - Can you remove a device if you ever want to switch to another device.

ogobongo Says:

Mar 24, 2011 - Did you even bother to look at their website?! The code IS there for anybody to browse/download/change/compile. 

fruitsnacksrock Says:

Apr 15, 2011 - You don't. But what kind of thief would steal a computer and not connect it to the internet?

TurtleWaxed Says:

Apr 27, 2011 - Prey is suitable for protection against run of the mill thieves, pros in any area of crime keep up on this sort of thing but then again most thieves are not pros....just opportunists.

ct321789 Says:

May 31, 2011 - I had my laptop stolen before... this software would be useful. But the police are next to useless in recovering stolen property (btw, this is coming from Toronto, Canada). BlackBerry stolen, with blackberry protect I know where it was, did the police do anything... absolutely nothing. The only thing I can see this being useful is just to post pics from the webcam of whoever has your laptop. Or just plain confront the person... obviously with the proper tools, if you know what i mean.

Littlefighter1911 Says:

Jun 9, 2011 - Well. I thought I could test at least prey, before saying, it's missing.

iExD Says:

Jun 15, 2011 - Wait, so this only works if the person goes on the internet? or connect to the internet?

ramqx28 Says:

Sep 9, 2011 - I rather be extra cautions with my laptop. I am a little uncomfortable in whom will have access of these settings after is set up with Prey.

ntt4rz Says:

Nov 5, 2011 - can we even trust this software?

Jazzmany11 Says:

Apr 17, 2012 - is there any possible way to find it even if the computer has already been stolen ?