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Researchers at U Washington and UCSD Test New, Free Laptop Tracking System
7/21/2008
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The website for the service explains that commercial tracking systems "sacrifice location privacy," since, in those instances, the tracking system--a third party--itself is keeping tabs on the computer and its owner. Also, outsiders can "piggy-back" on the tracking system's Internet traffic to establish device location.
The software, which is in beta, is available for Mac OS X, Windows (XP and Vista), and Linux. The Mac OS X version of Adeona also includes an option for taking a picture of the laptop user or thief using the iSight camera built into the machine in tandem with isightcapture. The images are also privacy protected.
When a computer is lost, the user installs a recovery tool on an alternative system, specifies the period in which to look for updates on location, and enters a password, which had been established during the original installation. The researchers who developed the software recommend that any data related to a potential recovery be passed along to law enforcement agents.
About the author: Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Have any additional questions? Want to share your story? Want to pass along a news tip? Contact Dave Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
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