Five Security Apps That Can Help Recover a Stolen Laptop

In the past few days, Joshua Kaufmansuccessfully recovered his laptop with the help of Hidden, a Mac-only app that can track a laptop's movement. He used hidden to collect photos of the thief, screenshots of computer usage, and network and location data.

Last month, Sean Power used another app, called Prey, to locate and recover his stolen MacBook Pro. He used Prey to collect location data and images, and he networked with Twitter friends to find the thief. Fortunately, the laptop was returned without a problem.

While Hidden and Prey may not be one of a kind, both are effecti

ve tools for helping recover stolen computers. There are a number of programs available that can aid users in tracking lost gadgets. Some of them are paid while others are free. Hidden costs $15. Prey is free.

Usage of these apps shows how well technology can assist in the recovery of lost items. It also demonstrates the strength of social networks in accordance with technology like Hidden and Prey. In the case of Kaufman, it took months and a media explosion before the police could get make progress on his case. In the case of Power, the police refused to help because he had not filed a police report at first.