How to track my computer wherever it is in the world

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Hello,

I recently bought a brand new computer and I want to make a VB.Net program that displays a map using GMap.Net, showing the location of my computer. I was thinking about tracking the IP Address, however this wouldn't work because if my computer was stolen and taken, it wouldn't be connected to any networks so it wouldn't have an IP Address. So I don't know how to get the computer to get its location so it can be sent to my server and then accessed through another computer, my phone etc. Does anyone have any ideas?

-Rixterz

Posted 15-Sep-14 8:32am

Rixterz123

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PIEBALDconsult 15-Sep-14 14:46pm

If I stole your computer, the first thing I'd do is wipe the drive and/or install a new one.
If someone trying to get your data stole it, I assume they'd pull the drive and attach it to some other system.

In neither case will your software run at all.

[no name] 15-Sep-14 15:00pm

That's not the point of the question; that's just an example to show what I want the program to do. As soon as someone steals a computer, they're gonna get somewhere safe where they can't get caught. In that time, the program should try somehow to send the lat+long to my server so it can be traced on a map by another device.

PIEBALDconsult 15-Sep-14 15:14pm

"so it can be sent to my server"

As you said in your post "it wouldn't be connected to any networks" so how do you propose to do that? Even if so, the last known location of it is of little use after ten seconds or so as the thief is executing "get somewhere safe where they can't get caught". A thief of any intelligence will have powered it off (even removed the battery if possible) and probably removed the drive before arriving at his lair.

I think you are assuming a very stupid thief.

CPallini 15-Sep-14 15:56pm

If you need a tracking service, ship it by UPS.

[no name] 16-Sep-14 11:03am

How am I supposed to react to that?

CPallini 16-Sep-14 11:16am

Really I don't know, however, that would work.

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OriginalGriff · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-15T09:05:00

Don't even think about it.
If your computer isn't connected to any networks, how is it going to report any location at all? Even if it did know it?

IP address based Geolocation is not helpfull: Using IP based Geolocation - and why it's pretty much useless.[^]
So...you have to add a GPS (for accuracy) or cell-based phone system to your computer - which is going to be rather obvious, and make your computer a better target for thieves.

And as PIEBALDconsult has said: the first thing a thief is going to do is wipe the drive - preventing your software running at all...

Instead, spend the time more wisely by looking after your kit, and the money you saved (because your time is worth money, right?) in insuring it instead. And backup your data so you don't lose that if a thief does get it.

Dave Kreskowiak · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-15T12:41:00

You really haven't thought this through, have you??

Quote:
it wouldn't be connected to any networks so it wouldn't have an IP Address. So I don't know how to get the computer to get its location so it can be sent to my server

If it's not connected to any networks and doesn't have an IP address, how in the hell is it going to tell your server where in the world it is?!?!?!?!

The Internet runs on TCP/IP and, without an IP address, your machine isn't going to be talking to ANY server let alone yours.

The same is also true for talking back to the machine from another one.

How to track my computer wherever it is in the world

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