Stolen Laptops

rediguana

My apartment was burgled recently and two laptops were stolen. What is the likely fate of the laptops and, more importantly, the information on them?

One was passworded (though I've been told this is relatively simple to bypass), the other wasn't.

It was really irritating. Note to self - cats are no good at guarding apartments.

smcelhinney

lol@the "watch cats".. they have attitude problems, I can imagine they were like..

*licks paws, preens self.. "Fine, work away with that stealing lark, you knacker, see if I care, Im so much better than you anyway..."

On a serious note though, a re-install of the OS, and given to anyone who knows their way around a BIOS (if the BIOS was password protected) means that the laptop can be pretty much wiped and sold as semi-new.

Did you have house contents insured?

rediguana

No, nothing was insured. That's the kind of guy I am, carefree, devil-may-care etc.

I don't expect to see the laptops ever again. I'd just like the info on them to disappear into the ether though. I guess I'm just kind of looking for reassurance that they just get wiped and sold and that's it?

For future reference, what steps can I take to make my laptop as secure as possible?

Hellm0

rediguana wrote:

No, nothing was insured. That's the kind of guy I am, carefree, devil-may-care etc.

I don't expect to see the laptops ever again. I'd just like the info on them to disappear into the ether though. I guess I'm just kind of looking for reassurance that they just get wiped and sold and that's it?

For future reference, what steps can I take to make my laptop as secure as possible?

Dubious porno eh? I doubt you'll be getting put in a blackmail situation by johnny scumbag, I'd say the new owner will receive it wiped nice and clean.

To secure your laptop your best bet is setting a pw in the bios so the would be attacker cant access the bios themselves(and cant get past the bootup stage). Unless someones really determined to get to your data this should provide enough protection for your collection.

rediguana

The world is awash in porn (big cheer) so it's not (just) that. I didn't realise how much of my life was in my laptop until that sticky-pawed degenerate helped himself to it.

Another note to self - windows should be closed when the house is empty

rediguana

One laptop was nearly four years old and didn't even have its own charger. What use or value could it be to anyone? What a waste!

The other, though only a few months old (about a grand) had had fine Swedish cider spilled all over it, meaning it was extremely slow and temperamental. You couldn't even watch DVDs on it. So whoever gets that one will be buying a dud.

Ghost Train

that suck. makes me wonder should i just start encrypting anything anyway personal on my pc's in case it's stolen... having somebodies laptop must be a big help when it comes to things like identity theft

rediguana

eolhc wrote:

that suck. makes me wonder should i just start encrypting anything anyway personal on my pc's in case it's stolen... having somebodies laptop must be a big help when it comes to things like identity theft

The cops said to forget laptops, get desktops, that they never get stolen! There's a reason people prefer laptops though.

Identity theft? That's all I need!

Linoge

You can get a generic Kensington lock on ebay for about a tenner. I got one and attached it around my metal bed. I at least feel that its safe enough during the week. At the weekends I take it home with me or at the very least hide it (the best security possible). The lock won't hold a prepared burgalar, but at least it wont make it easy for em.

About 6 months ago (before I moved in) my house was burgled. 3 laptops taken. Could have been 4 but one was well hidden. Should have only been 2 because 1 laptop was hidden but just under the bed:rolleyes: That said, I doubt the house would have been touched if one of the laptops wasn't left on the kitchen table at the front of the house for all to see....

BaconZombie

just a note you place will prob be broken into again in the next few months....,

in the hope that you have bought a new laptop that they can take....

ZENER

BOFH_139 wrote:

just a note you place will prob be broken into again in the next few months....,

in the hope that you have bought a new laptop that they can take....

All too true unfortunately.

Get insurance and lock the windows, get rid of the cats and buy a Rothweiller (sp?) or two. Get a decent alarm installed - don't think of it as horse - bolted - stable !! Leave a radio on while out - on newstalk106 or some talk station. Burglars want an easy target, deny them that luxury !!

ZEN

Linoge

BOFH_139 wrote:

just a note you place will prob be broken into again in the next few months....,

in the hope that you have bought a new laptop that they can take....

Lol, yeah, I was actually gonna mention that to the OP. Thats the reason why I'm so cautious now.