# Is laptop tracking software worthwhile? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2011, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-laptop-tracking-software-worthwhile/584377 "2011-06-05T06:34:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-laptop-tracking-software-worthwhile/584377/1 "2011-06-05T06:34:34Z")
The recent publicity over [This Guy Has My MacBook](http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/06/02/stolen.laptop.returned/index.html) has gotten me wondering. I mean, it’s a great tool, if you need it. But my main concerns are the subscription model and, as mentioned in the article in passing, the privacy implications of giving someone who is basically a stranger access to your webcam and maybe HD. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-laptop-tracking-software-worthwhile/584377/2 "2011-06-05T06:47:31Z")
Here is a free program: [http://preyproject.com/](http://preyproject.com/) I don’t know how it compares, though. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-laptop-tracking-software-worthwhile/584377/3 "2011-06-06T12:46:23Z")
Yes, it’s worth it because if your laptop ever does get stolen, we can be entertained by your story of how it was recovered. With pictures.