Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#1

Post by gregcmartin » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 4:54 PM UTC

My flat was raided and ransacked during the London riots, but thanks to tracking software I fed intel to the London Metro police until he was apprehended and my laptop returned.

Why you don't steal from a hacker.
infosec20.blogspot.com

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#2

Post by there » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:25 PM UTC

using a laptop recovery service to do exactly what it was intended to do. sweet hack, bro!

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#3

Post by vasco » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:28 PM UTC

My mom is a hacker too. She hacked her own gmail account the other day by recovering her password, she even had to remember the name of her first pet!

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#4

Post by nikcub » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:35 PM UTC

the word 'hacker' has been diluted to a new low

first to 'somebody who can write a web app', to now 'somebody who can install software'

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#5

Post by icebraining » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:36 PM UTC

nikcub wrote: post #4

the word 'hacker' has been diluted to a new low first to 'somebody who can write a web app', to now 'somebody who can install software'

The thief did more "hacking" by using the OSX install CD than him.

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#6

Post by Sargis » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:38 PM UTC

Is this one of those viral marketing campaigns again? Yesterday, there was a popular thread on Reddit about some guy who retrieved his stolen Macbook by using the exact same software that's being mentioned here. And not to mention the several other threads here on HN a few months ago that are suspiciously similar.

Or maybe it's just really useful.

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#7

Post by swatthatfly » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:38 PM UTC

nikcub wrote: post #4

the word 'hacker' has been diluted to a new low first to 'somebody who can write a web app', to now 'somebody who can install software'

From his LinkedIn profile: "Greg Martin is a recognized Information Security professional with over 12 years experience and considered an industry expert in Network Security and SIEM technology." Sounds like the word hacker could very well apply. I think he used it in relationship to his profession, not to his installation skills.

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#8

Post by tyler_ball » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:38 PM UTC

Here is a much funnier and more technical account of someone retrieving their stolen computer. In video form!

Skip to 3:15 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAI8S2houW4

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#9

Post by pclark » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:38 PM UTC

This is why I have file vault + password screensaver on my MacBook Pro + insurance. I'd sooner have to wait a few days to get a new laptop than rely on: a) the user not instantly formatting the computer, b) prey finding my laptop, c) the police doing something about it.

Re: Why you don't steal from a hacker.

#10

Post by Ronkdar » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 5:40 PM UTC

there wrote: post #2

using a laptop recovery service to do exactly what it was intended to do. sweet hack, bro!

You're missing the point. To paraphrase: "As a hacker, I had the good sense to make sure I had tracking software installed. I take security seriously."