Used LogMeIn to track and recover stolen laptop

[Demitri]

Here's an incredibly valuable "non-standard" use. 

I had a laptop stolen out of my luggage in the Amsterdam airport (I live in Phoenix, AZ.)  It dawned on my a few days later that I could keep an eye on my admin page to see if it went on line. On the 9th day - it did!  I upgraded from "free" to a trial version of "IT-Reach" and was able to retrieve my files - then delete them from the computer remotely while the culprit was on line ( he had no idea ).

Over the next week, I began tracking and logging all the IP addresses it logged in from, extracted his email addresses from temp internet files - then i got gutsy!

I started a screen capture program on my office computer, remotely activated the built-in webcam and recorded the video and audio of the individual actually using the stolen laptop!

I sent an email with all of the info I had collected (including a video snippet of him using the computer) to all three of the addresses that I had extracted and stated that I would be happy to have the computer shipped back to me at my expense rather than turning all of this info over to the Deutch Authorities:)

He was more than happy to comply. 10 days later I had my laptop back!

Thank you LogMeIn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StarLancer]

Never thought of it that way.

People (organizations) might consider installing LogMeIn Free for such purposes only!

Note btw that user might not be the thief. He may have bought PC from thief. Always be carefull with personal information gathered. Things dont always are what they look like.

[KGHalbe]

There have been some instances, where LogMeIn software has helped in the apprehending of the thief.  But, I am sure that you were more interested in getting the computer back ASAP.  It can take a while if you involve the police.

Glad to hear that things worked out for you.  I wonder if the other person really  knows how he got caught ?   I also wonder what went though his mind when he received your email and he know you had their email address and picture.  That must have been a priceless moment !!!!!\\

[muck91]

I am about to embark on the same thing - a laptop of mine that was stolen finally went online after 47 days (I've been watching for it).

QUESTION: I use LMI Free. How do I disable the little window that pops up when you log into a remote computer? I wouldn't want the theif to know I'm watching. Please help! Is there a setting I could change or an upgrade I could make? Please advise. Thanks!

[sstephanie40]

Me too. I have two to track!

I think if you read the first post you simply upgrade from "free" to a trial version of "IT-Reach. This enables you to simply have the files of the target PC displayed on your computer - not the login screen on the front page as you would do normally.

View the demo on ITreach and you'll see what I mean.

Thus you can covertly go into the files and settings of the PC, copy what you need, delete other stuff and log the temp internet files to gain information on the new "owner". 

Good luck!

[sstephanie40]

Update: My thief came online last night - and had changed the name of the PC to his! Du'h!

So with his IP address I could give this information to the police. He was using a particular broadband supplier which made life easier too.

I then looked at the desktop and thankfully he had deleted my information and files, so my worry about iidentity theft was lessened.

I didn't bother to go in by the "back door" as there was nothing for me to rescue. He must have been ****ting himself when I took control of the PC and he desperately fought me to log off!

This morning I also phoned my antivirus supplier and they have withdrawn support updates for these two laptops.  Hopefully  he'll get a virus problem or two!

In the meantime I'm going to see if he comes back online. I doubt it but we shall see........

[KGHalbe]

If anyone's laptop (or desktop) gets stolen, BEFORE you even log onto the computer and give the thief a warning that you have this ability, TALK TO LMI FIRST.

I will repeat that.  TALK TO LMI FIRST !  I don't know positively, but they MAY be able to offer you some suggestions. 

If the thief notices you online, all he needs to do is to reformat and reinstall software, or uninstall LMI if he were smart (but most thieves aren't that smart, or they wouldn't need to steal). 

Be sure to TALK TO LMI FIRST !!!

[powderpuff]

Hi,

That is a really interesting account!  I currently have a stolen laptop out on the road somewhere.  It has LMI Free loaded on it.  I can see it across the web and know when it is on.  I currently dare not go into remote control because it will alert the user that I have some flimsy contact with the PC. 

Can I assume in your story that the target PC already had IT-Reach on it?  Do you know if there is anything that I can do to retrieve files from my laptop without the other person knowing.  He/she has not reformatted as I would not be able to see it.  I am obviously in a rush here as I want to get my stuff off the PC before they know that I can log onto it.  After I have got my files I will then try to find out who it is and where they are.

Regards.

[powderpuff]

Muck91

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muck91 wrote:

I am about to embark on the same thing - a laptop of mine that was stolen finally went online after 47 days (I've been watching for it).

QUESTION: I use LMI Free. How do I disable the little window that pops up when you log into a remote computer? I wouldn't want the theif to know I'm watching. Please help! Is there a setting I could change or an upgrade I could make? Please advise. Thanks!

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Did you ever get an answer to this?  This is axactly what I need.

[sstephanie40]

Change to the free trial of logme in pro, then all you do is go in to the files on the laptop - contained behind the screen. The thief or unathorised user will not know that you are there at all. You can wipe any essentia files you have on there and also corrupt the hard drive so the pc is useless - if you are feeling particularly mean!