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Topic:
Can a stolen PC laptop be traced somehow?
This thread has 16 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 20:58
mrtristan
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Someone stole my laptop today. I would kick him in the balls if I could. It included programming files that I have not backed up and can't retrieve plus more.

Is there any way a PC laptop (Windows 10) can be traced online even if it's cleaned out?
Post 2 made on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 21:29
highfigh
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Mac address is about the only thing I know of.

I dread this but I don't trust cloud storage enough to keep sensitive info there.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 3 made on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 21:37
Brad Humphrey
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To track it at all, you would have to have tracking software installed. On my laptop, it is part of the ESET security service I run.
But there is a feature on Windows 10, that does tracking as well. But I don't know much about it, as I have never set it up.

None of this will help if they have access to reformat the laptop. Then all software solutions are gone.

There are some hardware tracking solutions out there if you are die hard set on recovering devices. This still won't help against malicious people that steal things and then destroy them.
Post 4 made on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 22:32
mark65
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If you sign-in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account you can track it. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign-in, and you should see the locator on the first screen.
Post 5 made on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 22:57
tobe
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On January 4, 2018 at 22:32, mark65 said...
If you sign-in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account you can track it. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign-in, and you should see the locator on the first screen.

You can also lock as well as track any stolen device registered to your Microsoft account from that same screen
OP | Post 6 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 08:29
mrtristan
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It doesn't sound like I can do any of this...

On a different note, what are you guys using to back up programming files and how often? Is there something that can back up specific files automatically on a daily basis. I just have an external USB drive that I back up onto when I remember.
Post 7 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 08:53
Mac Burks (39)
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Google IMO changed the game with cloud storage pricing. Use your G drive as your data drive and it syncs automatically.

We recently switched from egnyte after their pricing went up. So far so good.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
OP | Post 8 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 10:26
mrtristan
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so you feel just as comfortable with that as you do with a physical drive on your network? My first thought was, what if I'm programming on a site with no access to internet?
Post 9 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 10:31
goldenzrule
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On January 5, 2018 at 10:26, mrtristan said...
so you feel just as comfortable with that as you do with a physical drive on your network? My first thought was, what if I'm programming on a site with no access to internet?

I use Dropbox. It's a physical folder on each of my computer's that synch together. If no internet access, no problem, everything is there. It will synch next time I am online. Love it
Post 10 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 11:53
Rob Grabon
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2 Dropbox Pro Accounts (~$200/yr, 1TB each)
Owners Account - everything, full sync home and office.
Tech Account - selective shared folders (programing, diagrams, drivers etc)

Boxcryptor for sensitive files. (special folder inside Dropbox for secure encrypt)

They also have a business plan, which they charge per user $$.
Technology is cheap, Time is expensive.
Post 11 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 13:18
SB Smarthomes
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I've been using Dropbox (Pro) for 4-5 years and it work for me.

Another nice benefit is the 120 day file version history that allows you to recover previous versions of the documents.  This has saved me a few times and can be really useful.
www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
Post 12 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 15:24
PatMac
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I've used Carbonite for years. After it runs the first backup, it will automatically backup (to their cloud) nearly everything you do within minutes. Of course, you must be connected to Internet for it to backup. I lost 3 months worth of data back in 1999. That was enough. Very happy with Carbonite @$59.99 per year. It also notifies you via email if they think something is wrong.
Post 13 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 15:35
mark65
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We have a Synology NAS running RAID. It includes a sync program that loads on your pc or mac and syncs in real time. It also allows you to access all your files from ios or android. You can take that one step further and have the NAS sync to another NAS located offsite in case of fire, flood, etc. We choose not to do that since all of our important files are synced between the NAS and 5 laptops.

We have 6TB so here's how we do it:
1. Sync all of our important files to the NAS and between laptops. This works inside or outside the office using Synology's cloud access.
2. Use Windows backup to do full backups of each laptop to the NAS.
3. Use Time Machine to backup our Macs since the Synology also functions as a Time Capule.
4. Use it to serve content, like all of our music to our MMS.
Post 14 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 15:45
AZCS
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I have also used Dropbox for a few years. Automatically sync files across multiple devices, 2 laptops and a desktop in my office. They also have an app so you can access files from your phone / tablet if necessary.

I use Google Drive as well. I would recommend both.
Post 15 made on Friday January 5, 2018 at 16:07
lippavisual
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On January 5, 2018 at 15:35, mark65 said...
We have a Synology NAS running RAID. It includes a sync program that loads on your pc or mac and syncs in real time. It also allows you to access all your files from ios or android. You can take that one step further and have the NAS sync to another NAS located offsite in case of fire, flood, etc. We choose not to do that since all of our important files are synced between the NAS and 5 laptops.

We have 6TB so here's how we do it:
1. Sync all of our important files to the NAS and between laptops. This works inside or outside the office using Synology's cloud access.
2. Use Windows backup to do full backups of each laptop to the NAS.
3. Use Time Machine to backup our Macs since the Synology also functions as a Time Capule.
4. Use it to serve content, like all of our music to our MMS.

We do this as well. We also use the remote access features/apps, so the techs can get stuff off there when they are on the road. Saves a lot of time with having to send an email to a tech for a doc.
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