Remote access software catches a thief

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September 17th, 2009 - Posted by Kent

When we reviewed remote access (a.k.a. remote desktop) software we listed a number of benefits the service provides, but here's one we never anticipated: Using it to get your stolen computer back. According to an article in PCWorld, that's exactly what David Krop did when he had two laptops stolen from his locked SUV.

While leaving the computers in his SUV was not the smartest move, his next move was: he used the LogMeIn remote access software that he had installed to monitor and gather data on the laptop's new owner. He was able to monitor the complete activities of the stranger, activities that included chatting, checking email, making Facebook updates, posting sexually explicit Craigslist ads, and downloading pornography. Eventually Krop had enough information to send police to the home of the suspect. Of course, this is not the intended use of remote access software; Krop was lucky his target wasn't smart enough to realize the software was running.

The suspect turned out not to be the thief, but merely a recipient of stolen property. He had bought the computer at a barbershop, even though he was pretty sure it was stolen, and he already had a laptop:

The buyer already had a PC; but it was infected with viruses, and fixing it would have cost $150. "So instead of paying $150 to get my viruses fixed, I thought I'd buy this one for $300."

The viruses no doubt came from his habit of downloading pornography. Still, he would have probably been better off paying $60 or less for Internet security software, although we don't imagine NextAdvisor is a site he visits much.