How the Absolute Theft Recovery Process Works
Laptop Security Blog How the Absolute Theft Recovery Process Works
February 24th, 2009
Author: KaleyThe Absolute Theft Recovery Team has seen the successful recovery of tens of thousands of stolen computers. Comprised of former police officers and seasoned law professionals, the team works closely with police and law enforcement agencies to ensure that laptops are recovered and that thieves are located.
Once a stolen computer connects to the Internet, the Computrace Agent silently sends location information to the Absolute Theft Recovery Team. After receiving customer consent, the team begins to forensically mine the computer using a variety of procedures, including key captures, registry and file scanning, geolocation, and other investigative techniques. These procedures help to gather evidence and determine who has the computer and how it is being used. Extracted evidence is then provided to police, who use the information to obtain search warrants or subpoenas and perform the physical recovery.
The stolen computer is returned to the owner directly, and no further involvement beyond reporting the theft is required. As customer privacy is our utmost concern, Absolute Forensics Tools are only deployed upon receiving a report of theft and only with express permission of the customer.
Category: Recovery Stories | 
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My mac laptop was stolen on November 19, 2009 from a Los Angeles school district classroom. I did not have a lo-jack device installed in it but reported the serial number of the computer to the authorities and the apple computer. Is there any way that authorities can forensically detect and find that computer if the culprit uses it on the internet. If so how would I go about the recovery process and who whould I need to contact/hire? If anybody has this information I would greatly appreciate it if they contacted me. Thanks
So sorry to hear about your laptop. We get questions from time-to-time like this, and unfortunately we don’t have a positive answer for you. Because of all the computers connected to the internet, it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
The fact that you reported the computer stolen to police should help if the computer is taken into to Apple for repair. From what I’ve read in discussion forums from people who’ve had their Macs stolen and didn’t have LoJack for Laptops installed, there have been times where they’ve recieved a confirmation email that their Mac was in for repairs after its been stolen. Apple would only get involved only if a police report had been filed and the rightful owner brought the situation to their attention. Apple needs to have the proof that the owner did not sell the Mac to this person, and they don’t have the expertise on staff like we do to deal with these situations. Remember, that the person who is bringing it in for repairs may have purchased it from the thief, or from a previous unsuspecting purchaser, so they may not know its stolen – its a very delicate situation for Apple to be in.
I’d be curious to hear from other readers if they have any suggestions for you.
Good luck Stephen
I absolutly love your company. There was a burglery at my home in early December. I had just purchased a Dell Mini for my family for Christmas. I had the Laptop out of the box for a whole 8 hours, to do the initial updates, and charge it a bit, before wrapping it and putting it under the tree. Along with the first boot up, the registration for LoJack came up and I registered that too. It was under the tree for a whole 2 days before the burglery. Came home from work and it looked like Christmas had already happened. All wrapping paper, no electronic presents. That was on Dec. 7th. Sometime during the shock and emotions that go along with being robbed, I remembered about LoJack. I immediatly got on line with my desktop, with the police watching and questioning what LoJack was, and reported it stolen. It took 22 days for my laptop to go online, but the game was now on. LoJack got a hit, and it was only a matter of time. The police department was very impressed with the capabilities that LoJack has. One week later, I got a call from the police that they had my laptop in their possession. It was sold, and regifted. :( My burglery is still under investigation, there were additional items that were stolen that have not been recovered, more people to talk to, but just the fact that my whole case would have possibly had NO leads if not for your company is absolutly commendable! Your company ROCKS! Ive already had a reporter contact me about doing a story on the LoJack Recovery once this is all said and done. He read about it on the search warrant at the court house. I am more than happy to get the word out about LoJack and what a valuable asset it is to have on a laptop.
Your detective J.D. was fantastic to work with. The police dept and myself were very pleased and impressed with her performance. Her follow up call was also a nice addition to the closure of the laptop theft.
I cant thank you enough!