4 location tracking software to stop laptop computer theft

How does antitheft laptop software works?

After installing the location tracking software it will automatically start whenever you boot your computer. In some cases when someone attempts to steal your laptop either the power cord or a USB flash drive will get disconnected from the laptop and this will trigger a loud siren. The alarm can only be stopped when you unlock the laptop by entering your password, you can normally configure the alarm sound and include a recorded voice with a theft warning.

Other anti mobile device theft software does not have an alarm and it will attempt to connect to the Internet and send out its location to a central server together with screenshots instead, the software will have learn the laptop location by using GPS if present or the IP the laptop is using, with these details the police should be able to get a search warrant for that location.

Whatever solution you choose to protect your computer from theft, remember that this is a last resort solution, security is comprised of a multi layered approach, you should not rely on location tracking software to protect your data, use it in conjunction with physical security and encryption.

Software to protect your laptop computer from theft

LAlarm: This free laptop antitheft software is free for personal use and only requires to buy a license for business use, LAlarm consist of five alarms: theft alarm, perimeter alarm, inattention alarm, disk alarm and battery alarm, users should be careful with the file destruction feature in case they accidentally trip the alarm as it will automatically destroy selected files after the configured conditions are met.

When the laptop is disconnected from the power outlet or removed from the table, LAlarm will emit your chosen loud alarm sound, you can download voice warnings to be played from LAlarm developer website.

LAlarm free laptop antitheft software

LoJack: Paid software able to locate a stolen laptop, lock your computer issuing a remote command with an optional customized message that will show on the screen for the person who has it, erasing the whole hard drive or selected files the next time the laptop connects to the monitoring centre and if you are certain that the laptop has been stolen LoJack will log everything needed to share that information with local law enforcement allowing them to locate the home where the computer IP came from.

LoJack antitheft laptop software

Prey: Open source antitheft software for PC, MAC, Linux and mobile phones. If you computer is stolen this laptop computer security software will use the nearest WiFi hotspot to triangulate its location, take a picture of the thief with your laptop’s webcam and lock down your PC.

This free laptop protection software is free but it has a premium plan with extra features for more demanding users and business use.

Prey laptop antitheft software

LockItTight: Free laptop protection software that can be installed in any computer or mobile device to track its location in case of theft, it can take screen captures using the mobile device webcam and log the keystrokes (in development), all of this data is sent to a central server.

Like all the other antitheft laptop software on this list, LockItTight survives on the fremium model, where they offer a premium version of their services with more features next to their free version.

LockItTight mobile device tracking software