Hi Karl,
Yes, the San Marcos Sheriff's department took a report from both of us and I
gave them the serial number and description of my laptop computer and
leather carrying bag. It was more difficult because I carried my checkbooks
in my laptop case, using it as a briefcase... So I had to contact the Credit
union and our local bank (as both checkbook accounts were in there) to
change the accounts so they could not access my family's money and then I
contacted the credit agency Experian to put a notice on my credit report
that my checkbooks had been stolen. Also I notified my employer that the
laptop had been stolen and changes the passwords on my work and personal
e-mail and access accounts... I was thinking if I had saved any passwords
into my stock or 401K retirement accounts or any other login's I have then I
would have had to change them as well, but I never let the browser
'remember' the passwords for fear there was someway to extract them from my
machine...
Fortunately my Laptop has a password on the login so it may take them some
time to get into it if they are amateurs, but I hear that if they are
professionals it's not that difficult for them to run a program on the
computer that replaces the passwords with their own and then get access into
the hard drive. I have a lot of personal data, website development, work I
have done for clients, files from the community college where I was
teaching, family photo's presentation materials, and the book I was working
on for PCB design... it's a huge loss. Years of work gone...
I will have to redo much of what was lost but some of it is just never
reproducible. Especially the photo's...
I had a hardware dongle in there for 3Dstudio Max, which I own as well, I
will have to talk with Discreet about that...fortunately I have the CD's in
another bag that I did not carry into the workshop with me... otherwise they
might be gone too.
I think it's important to warn others to back up their data, and not leave
important stuff on your laptop that isn't somehow protected...
If you can, keep a mirrored copy of your data on a hard drive at home...
And of course, don't leave your stuff unattended... not even for a coffee
break...
Best regards,
Bill Brooks - KG6VVP
PCB Design Engineer , C.I.D.+, C.I.I.
Tel: (760)597-1500 Ext 3772 Fax: (760)597-1510
http://www.dtwc.com
http://pcbwizards.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Bates [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 6:12 AM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] Warning... when attending events
Stupid question, did you file a police report with the local authorities?
From: "Brooks,Bill" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: "(Designers Council Forum)" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Brooks,Bill" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] Warning... when attending events
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:08:43 -0700
Hi Mary,
Actually, that kind of feature could be accomplished easily... a motion
detector chip in the computer and a password is all that would be needed. A
laptop owner could engage the alarm monitor before leaving it unattended by
just clicking an icon, or make it automatically enable with your screensaver
program so you cannot leave it unarmed accidentally... Upon returning, a
simple password could disengage it.
Anyone tampering with the computer would set it off in a matter of
seconds... either typing on it, or hitting the power switch or bumping the
unit... and they would not be able to disable it without the password. The
audio built into the Laptop could be configured to sound a very loud alarm
and a recorded message if you liked...
A key switch accessory would be a cool addition though, especially if it
would notify you that the alarm had been tripped from some distance... Also
remote arming of the alarm would be nice if the laptop was not in use at the
time it was being left unattended.
I was completely taken by surprise by the theft... and I am still reeling
from it. I would really like to see the perpetrators brought to justice and
get my Laptop back... It's probably too much to hope for...
Today, I received a letter from the Hotel owner, and he sited the same
denial of responsibility that you mentioned... even though he mentioned that
they have roving security agents on the premises... seems they weren't
'roving' in our area during the theft were they? What good are they then?
By the way... you did an excellent job with the workshop especially
considering the circumstances... thanks for making the trip to San Diego, I
wish it hadn't cost us both so much... but I am glad you came just the same.
Best Regards,
Bill Brooks - KG6VVP
PCB Design Engineer , C.I.D.+, C.I.I.
Tel: (760)597-1500 Ext 3772 Fax: (760)597-1510
http://www.dtwc.com
http://pcbwizards.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Sugden [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 1:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] Warning... when attending events
The lap top thefts in San Marcos were a well planned and executed inside
job.
The equipment was unattended for less than 15 minutes. I was livid when
one of the staff walked over to the door and tapped on a little 3" x 4" sign
that stated
"WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ITEMS LEFT UNATTENDED".
The sign was so small, you had to be within 5 feet to read it. The
employee's arrogance and smugness were infuriating. I was speechless. In
retrospect,
I should have been suspicious when it took 3 guys to refresh the water for
six
people. Most of all, I am mad at myself for leaving the room without a
concern for security. I should have known better. It would be a major
inconvenience
to break down the equipment and carry it with me each break. There's hardly
enough room for me in the bathroom cubicle, let alone a lap top and computer
projector.
At the PCB Design Conferences, Pete Waddell has a monitor posted at every
door, and over the years, I have become spoiled rotten and have become
complacent
by the good work they do. At the next conference, I will make sure to
thank these silent observers and tell them how much I appreciate the job
they do!
At all future workshops, I will make sure that the facility does posts a
room
monitor at all breaks and lunches. ...Wait a minute while I close the barn
door!
I think a very simple alarm would do the trick. If the thief picked up the
computer a very loud alarm would go off, like those on automobiles. Maybe
it
could scream...
...Stop Thief! ...You are being video taped! ...Put me down you
brute!
...Call the police! ...Mommy!
After my experience, I would buy one. Must be cheaper than the $2,400 it
cost to replace my lap top!
Still HOT and BOTHERED in Santa Clara, Mary Sugden
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