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How to Retrieve a Stolen Laptop

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 2, 2009 2:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – When a burglar stole Joshua Alston’s laptop, there wasn’t much the police could do. But the Newsweek writer realized there was something he could do. Alston had installed a program on the laptop that allowed him to access it remotely. He had never used it all that much but now realized it could be a "digital bloodhound." He began logging in to his laptop from afar, which could theoretically give him, and police, the IP address of the thief.

After weeks of stalking the burglar—deleting his newly downloaded music, messing with photos, etc.—Alston took the daring step of turning on the webcam. He patiently watched the thief’s room and then, when no one was watching, installed anti-theft programs like LoJack. Police soon retrieved the computer. “Truth be told, it was a little anticlimactic,” says Alston. “Having the laptop back wasn’t as much fun as trying to get the laptop back.”

An unassuming web cam proved the undoing of one laptop thief.
An unassuming web cam proved the undoing of one laptop thief.   (Shutterstock)
LogMeIn gave Joshua Alston the power to take over his stolen computer.
LogMeIn gave Joshua Alston the power to take over his stolen computer.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
homerdk
Jun 25, 2010 11:43 AM CDT
Quote: He began logging in to his laptop from afar, which could theoretically give him, and police, the IP address of the thief.

Oh and how did Alston connect to the remote software with NO IP in the first place?
I realize this article is over a year old, but i would either remove it or edit it, since its obviously a made up story. Better luck scaring the thieves next time, if that was your goal.
Also he was scared to turn on the camera, but did so to check if anyone was there to install LoJack??
Lol didnt he allready know where it was, he just lied before and said he had the IP allready?
Total bullshit article.
Mad
May 3, 2009 3:25 AM CDT
I don't understand why turning on the cam was such a huge, scary step? Still, I agree, more fun sleuthing. What fun!
Mr.C
May 2, 2009 9:15 AM CDT
haha- pretty cool -as a side note, what kind of writing is, "He had never used it all that much "

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