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Wi-Fi 'Finders' Helping Thieves Locate and Steal Laptops
The Wi-Fi "finders" that crooks use are often cheap and easily accessible. For less than $20, a start-up thief can purchase a ballpoint pen with a built-in Wi-Fi detector. Of course, the cheaper models aren't as accurate when locating the signals. (Using one in a full parking lot would be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.) But for $50, you could purchase this Wi-Fi finder (pictured), which makes finding a laptop stuffed in the trunk of a car easy as pie.
What's our advice? Keep those laptops close at hand and make sure you only turn on the Wi-Fi signal when you'll be using it. [From: Network World]
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Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsericloeweMar 3rd 2010 1:35PM
Why in the world would someone leave a laptop turned on behind? Are they trying to run their batteries dry or what?
csantoniMar 3rd 2010 7:00PM
"Wi- Fi disconnection must be done manually, as it can take as long as a half-hour for a laptop to go into sleep mode."
Only if your machine isn't configured properly. No one should leave a running laptop in a car. Sleep, hibernate or power off and the WiFi signal goes away.
This article is inaccurate and seems to be written by someone who doesn't know how their computer works.
mikeMar 3rd 2010 7:20PM
I strongly agree with csantoni's statement about the author not really knowing much in regard to wireless.
1.)
"Wi- Fi disconnection must be done manually, as it can take as long as a half-hour for a laptop to go into sleep mode."
* You can configure it for up to 5 hours if you really would like; but if your battery can last that long with your wifi enabled would be pretty impressive.
2.) Almost all people will at least put their computer into stand-by mode when traveling with their laptop(no wifi powered on)
3.) If your wifi is enabled and laptop on, the thief probably won't have a very large amount of time to locate your laptop since your battery will be getting drained.
Sounds like the author saw a wifi finder and came up with this idea. I really would be interested to hear of a news story about a crook going around scanning for laptops; would be more interesting of a read most likely ;)
ThantiKMar 3rd 2010 7:27PM
The author doesn't even understand the use of these detectors either. They do not detect just any wifi signal, they detect BASE STATIONS. They detect the routers which are broadcasting that they are out there. Your laptop, when connected to a wifi point does give off radio signals, but these devices ignore them because that isn't what they are intended for.
TracyFordMar 4th 2010 3:13AM
Wow, some of you folks are pretty harsh towards the author of this article. Bear in mind, this article was making reference to another article on Network World.
JacksonMar 4th 2010 9:32AM
Love how people want tell everyone what is wrong.The article is simply pointing out the ways thieves are stealing. I think it is a good idea to turn off wi-fi ~if you close lid of laptop the wi-fi signal does not instantly drop just because your computer does not everyone does jackass