Re: Bob Re: Security for traveling PowerBook - Part-2
The National Enquirer reports at 10:54 PM -0400 10/18/04, Brent Baeslack wrote: Finally preparations that could lead to recovery of the stolen unit. In addition to the previous programs I mentioned above, you might want to take a look at these: Stealthsignal http://www.stealthsignal.com. StuffBak http://www.stuffbak.com/ LapCop http://homepage.mac.com/sweetcocoa/lapcop.html Some even mark their laptop with a UV pen for later identification. So yes I do have a cable lock type from Kensington but most motel furniture can be easily broken to untangle the cable. There was a huge brouhaha within the last year or 18 months about how easy it was proven that the Kensington security system could be bypassed with such simple things as a ballpoint pen. I don't have a URL handy, but you should be able to pull up the information on Google with keywords like Kensington security bypass or just security cable. I have no vested interest in promoting the Defcon-1. But the thing I like about it is the additional motion sensor that can be set, so even if someone cuts the cable, or moves the device to which it is attached (though most rooms have something that is bolted down and immovable), the audio alarm will start screeching. One thing thieves don't like is attention. I currently do have login at startup but have heard the open firmware password prevents startup from a CD? That's true. But unless it's a work situation (where other people may know how to access your laptop, or even *want* to), I'm not sure how critical this issue is. There are potential serious consequences to using Open Firmware passwords. You definitely don't want to forget what it is. And, this little goodie was true at one time, I don't know if it has been corrected or not -- If an Open Firmware password includes a capital U, the password won't be recognized by your Mac. You can enter it as a password, but it will never allow you to use the Mac If you still want to know about it read: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107666 Go to here and download the application and Read Me file: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/openfirmwarepassword.html I was alluding to MacPhone Home type software, I just couldn't remember any software names, but would like to know if it actually is worth installing if they are just going to format the drive and reinstall the OS? I've never used these types of programs. Maybe some of the list members have. (and the companies may have user's comments on their web-sites (??)) I welcome your thoughts and advice. I don't consider myself an expert on the subject. I just have tried to be aware of anti-theft issues ever since I've had a PowerBook. I would certainly welcome opinions and additional suggestions from other list members. I'd still like to learn of other good ideas. That's why I'm CC'ing this back to the list. I assume you won't mind, Brent. P.S. Sorry for the length of this missive. HTH, Bob -- If replying privately, please include my name in the To: address, so that my filters won't send your reply to the trash. -- G-Books is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html G-Books list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/ --- The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---
Re: Bob Re: Security for traveling PowerBook - Part-2
The National Enquirer reports at 5:53 PM -0400 10/19/04, Timothy Luoma wrote: On Oct 19, 2004, at 3:02 AM, Bob wrote: I have no vested interest in promoting the Defcon-1. But the thing I like about it is the additional motion sensor that can be set, so even if someone cuts the cable, or moves the device to which it is attached (though most rooms have something that is bolted down and immovable), the audio alarm will start screeching. One thing thieves don't like is attention. I agree with you that it's good, however it is HIGHLY sensitive, such that even the slightest movement can send off that annoying chirp unintentionally, I haven't had an occasion to use mine for a while, but I recall that the less sensitive setting is nowhere near as sensitive as the highest setting. It allows for some bumping before setting off the alarm. I agree that the highest setting is extremely sensitive, but that's the way it's supposed to be. I usually put a note on my PB if I leave it out in the hotel room, to warn the cleaning personnel not to bump into the desk or the computer. :-) which makes it difficult to use in a meeting... plus it chirps when you activate it and deactivate it. I don't use my security cable in conferences or meetings, so I don't have a problem with the connect/disconnect chirp. But if did, I think I would just say Tough, one chip, live with it. Now everybody knows better than to try and swipe it. Mine also refused to unlock a few years ago. I know I had the code right (it was my birthday ;-) but it wouldn't open and repeatedly set the siren off. I finally dropped it in a bucket of water in complete frustration (it was NOT attached to the laptop at the time). Wow, that's not good at all. Did you by any chance try a new battery at that point? I don't know that it would have made any difference, but it's something I would have tried. And it seems that there is a way to reset it back to factory defaults, but I would have to check the owners instructions to be sure. I sympathize with your frustration. I hope your experience is an anomaly for the Defcon-1. Still, I would recommend it to anyone who wants as much security as you can get. It's nice to know that someone else agrees with me. g Plus, it's reasonably priced as well. BTW for anyone that's interested, late last night I ran down the reference for the security risk with the Kensington security cables: http://www.security.org/ Bob -- If replying privately, please include my name in the To: address, so that my filters won't send your reply to the trash. -- G-Books is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html G-Books list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/ --- The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---
Re: Bob Re: Security for traveling PowerBook - Part-2
On Oct 19, 2004, at 10:11 PM, Bob wrote: Mine also refused to unlock a few years ago. I know I had the code right (it was my birthday ;-) but it wouldn't open and repeatedly set the siren off. I finally dropped it in a bucket of water in complete frustration (it was NOT attached to the laptop at the time). Wow, that's not good at all. Did you by any chance try a new battery at that point? I don't know that it would have made any difference, but it's something I would have tried. And it seems that there is a way to reset it back to factory defaults, but I would have to check the owners instructions to be sure. I was away from home and had to fly back... I didn't want to try and explain it to security, which is why I dumped it. It's nice to know that someone else agrees with me. g Plus, it's reasonably priced as well. IIRC I paid about $50... expensive for as short of a time as it worked. TjL -- G-Books is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html G-Books list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/ --- The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---
