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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops Apps
Not sure if this is regarded as a hint. There are now several alarm notifcation security apps for Mac laptops:
  1. MultiAlarm -- free, open source
  2. JackSMS -- free
  3. iAlertU -- donationware
  4. Theft Sensor -- public beta
How cool! It seems they all use the sudden motion sensor to detect movement of Mac laptops and trigger the alarm. The first two claim to work on both PowerBooks and MacBooks, while the last two only work on MacBook.

[robg adds: I haven't tested any of these, but they do look somewhat useful -- though only if you leave your laptop on and not sleeping when you step away. Personally, I'll never step away from my machine, even for a second, in a public place. It's just too risky...]
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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops | 10 comments | Create New Account
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Install a basic anti-theft tool on sensored laptops
Authored by: pub3abn on Jun 14, '06 08:59:37AM

I've been led to understand that not all Apple laptops contain the Sudden Motion Sensor. Is there any easy way to determine if the SMS is present without going through a software install?



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Does my laptop have a SMS?
Authored by: bruderfranz on Jun 14, '06 09:55:07AM

Apple -> About this Mac -> More information -> Hardware and then it says on the right something like "Sudden Motion Sensor activated"

bf



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Does my laptop have a SMS?
Authored by: pub3abn on Jun 14, '06 11:49:52AM

Would that be in the "Hardware Overview" section, where the machine name and serial number are?



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Does my laptop have a SMS?
Authored by: hamarkus on Jun 14, '06 12:10:32PM

Yes, at least for me. In short, all Powerbooks since the February 2005 revision as well as all MacBooks and MacBook Pros have it.



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Does my laptop have a SMS?
Authored by: comodin on Jun 14, '06 02:38:01PM
There is a "BUT" ... PowerBooks G4 1,67GHz (like mine) only show the SMS in Hardware Overview after a restart. Please note, NOT a normal start, you have to REstart the PowerBook, ONLY then the info will be given into the Hardware Overview section.

It looks like that tools like MultiAlarm (Version 3.1) can't aktivate the Arm (Menu "Alarm" -> "Arm") until the info is given here.

Apple knows about the Problem: [link:]http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303178

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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops
Authored by: Slinkwyde on Jun 14, '06 07:58:58PM
BumpAlarm is another, for PowerPC Macs.

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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops
Authored by: Anonymous on Jun 15, '06 02:53:26AM

A famous it-magazine in germany tested all of these tools in their latest edition.
They all have the same problem, if a thief holds down the power-button for about 4seconds, before raising the laptop, the mac powers off without making any sound at all. Not really secure...



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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops
Authored by: GexMax on Jun 16, '06 04:13:44AM

Well actually thats a nice idea BUT it has some other problems else than just powering down the notebook.

first, you could simply send it to sleep (dont know, maybe some progs trigger the alarm by that too - possible)

second - and thats probably one of the easiest ways to get around the alarm - is that they all come through the normal speakers. so if you want to make sure there is no alarm if you take it away just insert some earplugs or even (and probably better) just the cable with the actual speakers cut off (dunno might be 5$ or something if you buy a cheap one - doesnt have to sound good, does it?)

so... nice idea but if the thief has just a little brainpower its pretty useless - on the other hand it might actually stop/identify those thiefs that just want to take their chance when they see it and act spontanously



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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops
Authored by: pecosbill on Jul 10, '06 06:49:01PM

I would ONLY consider using one of these as a secondary system. If you have a cable attached, this would likely help catch someone fiddling with the security cable if you're around. So would a Defcon alarm, which is what I've owned since 2001. Defcon's motion sensor is VERY sensitive.

Keep in mind, another easy way to disable these programs is to close the lid unless they thought of that and can block the OS from sleeping (unlikely).

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Pecos Bill



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Install a basic anti-theft tool on newer laptops
Authored by: monkeymojo on Jul 20, '06 07:29:46AM
Has anyone heard of or tried Undercover? It's more for AFTER your laptop has been lifted, but it look slike it might be pretty effective at finding your machine.

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