What should you do if you want to be able to locate your laptop in the event of loss or theft?

Losing your laptop or being a victim of theft can have disastrous consequences. There are steps you can take to protect your laptop and prevent a security breach if you were to lose this device.

Contents

• Finding a Windows laptop
• Finding a Mac laptop

Besides protecting your device with a password, we recommend using one of the built-in tracking tools offered by Windows and Apple. Enabling these features is quick and easy, and they provide you with a reliable way of tracking a lost or stolen laptop.

Finding a Windows laptop

With Windows 10, Microsoft includes a Find My Device ability for devices using the operating system. Enable this feature to help track your laptop when it goes missing.

Step 1: Go to Update & Security in Settings

Head to your Start menu and type in Settings, then select the Settings option that appears. Once there, look for the section that says Update & Security, and select this.

Step 2: Click Find My Device

Look to the sidebar menu and find the option that says Find My Device and select it. In the window that appears, look for the header that says Find My Device: ___ and see if it says on or off. If it says off, then select the Change button below to turn it on.

Step 3: Sign with Microsoft account.

Whenever you want to locate your laptop, head to the Microsoft account page and sign in with your account information. When you’re logged in to your Microsoft account, select the section labeled Devices. On the Devices page, select the device you want to locate. On your laptop’s page, select Find my device. You’ll then be taken to a page in which Microsoft will give you a map location for your device of where it was last detected, and when it was last detected. On the left side of the screen, if you click on the name of your device, a menu will pop up that may show more information about the laptop’s last known location as well as two options you can select: Find and Lock. Find will let you search for your laptop’s current location, not simply its last known location.

Finding a Mac laptop

On Macs, the tracking feature is called Find My Mac, and it enables you to pinpoint the location of your laptop on a map for retrieval or reporting. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Go to iCloud settings

On your Mac, head to your menu and select System Preferences. Here, go to the iCloud icon: This may require you to log in with your Apple account information if you haven’t already done so.

Step 2: Click on Find My Mac

Review your iCloud features and look for the option to Find My Mac. Make sure the checkbox is selected to enable this feature. If not, check it, and then select Allow when iCloud asks you if you are sure.

Step 3: Go to iCloud.com

Now that the feature is turned on, you can locate your laptop by logging into iCloud.com with your Apple account. Once logged in (you may have to verify that you trust the device you are working on), select Find my iPhone to get started.

Step 4: Find it on the map

You should now be able to find a menu of all the devices associated with your account. Select your MacBook from this list, and iCloud will bring up a map showing you where it is. You can choose to have your Mac play a sound if you want to find it, or display a custom message on the screen, or you can even remotely lock your Mac with a password to prevent access.

Extra tracking and protection apps

The native functions for both Windows and MacOS are fine if you want a quick way to track your laptop. However, they don’t offer a lot of extra security features. If you want enhanced protection, additional software downloads are crucial. You’ll also need to set up a complete tracking program. More thorough defenses are incredibly helpful in case of theft, but possibly overkill in terms of at-home devices. Regardless, we can recommend a couple of options you can use to get started.

PreyProject’s Prey: Prey is a super helpful application where you can add several devices approved for tracking. If you lose one of them, the app will track it for you as well as lock the device. It can also retrieve data, and it can set off an alarm to help you find it. Should it become necessary, you can use Prey to completely clear any and all data from your device—ultimately saving your privacy in case someone else gets their hands on it.

The app can also help track criminals by creating evidence reports that include information on the device’s location. A report can even feature images taken from the device’s camera, which the police can use to help recover your belongings. Prey offers multiple service tiers, but you can track up to three devices for free with the basic package.

Hidden: MacBook users might want to check out Hidden, another impressive tracking app exclusive to MacOS and iOS devices. Its features include location tracking, taking images, logging keystrokes, recording spoken messages, and enabling remote access, to name a few. Hidden lets you remotely manage all information on your devices, including deleting sensitive data. Hidden’s Personal package covers up to three Apple devices at a monthly price of $2.99, or you can protect a single device for only $1.67 a month.

Many of its native functions, apps, and other downloads can help you track any laptop you own. This list features some of the best device tracking services on the market that will protect your computer against your own carelessness or someone else’s maliciousness.

Your laptop is one of the most important possessions you have. It’s your gateway to the world, and losing it can be a devastating experience. But if your laptop does get stolen, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage.

1. What to do if your laptop gets stolen?

Losing a laptop can be a major setback, both financially and emotionally. But there are steps you can take to minimize the damage and protect your data.

• First, report the theft to the police and provide them with as much information as possible, such as the make and model of the laptop, the serial number, and any unique identifying features.
• Then, contact your insurance company and file a claim. If you have a backup plan in place, now is the time to activate it. This will help you to recover any lost data and get back up and running as quickly as possible.
• Finally, take steps to prevent future thefts by investing in a locking device for your laptop and storing it in a safe place when you’re not using it.

By taking these precautions, you can ease the pain of losing a laptop and avoid further complications down the road.

2. How to protect your data if your laptop is stolen?

Losing a laptop can be a nightmare, not just because of the cost of replacing the device, but also because of the risk of sensitive data being compromised. If you’re worried about what might happen if your laptop is stolen, there are a few steps you can take to protect your information.

• First, make sure that all of your important data is backed up to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. That way, even if your laptop is lost or stolen, you’ll still have a copy of your most important files (read more here)
• Second, encrypt any sensitive data that you need to keep on your laptop. This will make it much more difficult for thieves to access your information.
• Finally, consider using a tracking app such as Prey or Absolute LoJack to help you recover your laptop if it’s stolen.

By taking these precautions, you can help to keep your data safe even if your laptop falls into the wrong hands.

3. How to track your laptop if it’s stolen?

If your laptop is stolen, it’s important to take action quickly to try and recover it. The first step is to contact the police and file a report. Then, you’ll want to take a look at your insurance policy to see if you’re covered for theft. If you are, file a claim and start the process of getting a replacement laptop.

Next, you’ll need to take steps to protect your data. If you haven’t already, set up a password manager and enable two-factor authentication on all of your accounts. This will help to prevent thieves from accessing your personal information. You should also change the passwords on any accounts that were synced to your laptop. Finally, create a backup of all your files in case you can’t recover your laptop.

By taking these steps, you’ll be prepared in the event that your laptop is stolen. And while it’s not guaranteed that you’ll get your laptop back, following these steps will give you the best chance of recovery.

4. What to do if you find your laptop after it’s been stolen?

If you find your laptop after it’s been stolen, the first thing you should do is report the theft to the police. This will help to increase the chances of recovering your property and bringing the thief to justice. You should also contact your insurance company and file a claim. Most homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies cover personal property damage or theft, so you may be able to recoup some of the cost of your lost laptop. Finally, be sure to change all of your passwords and account settings. This will help to protect your personal information and prevent the thief from accessing your accounts. By taking these steps, you can minimize the disruption caused by a stolen laptop and help to ensure that your property is returned to you.

5. How to prevent laptop theft in the first place?

Laptop theft is a common occurrence, but there are steps you can take to prevent your computer from being stolen.

• One of the most important things you can do is to keep your laptop with you at all times. If you must leave it unattended, make sure it is in a secure location, such as a locked office or drawer.
• You should also consider investing in a laptop security system, which can help to deter thieves and track your computer if it is stolen.
• In addition, be sure to keep your software up to date, as this will help to protect your data in the event that your laptop is stolen.

By taking these simple precautions, you can help to ensure that your laptop remains safe and secure.

6. What to do if your laptop is lost rather than stolen?

Losing your laptop can be a frustrating and stressful experience. However, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the damage and increase the chances of getting your laptop back.

• First, check to see if your laptop is covered by insurance. If it is, file a claim as soon as possible.
• Next, contact your local police department and file a report. Be sure to include a detailed description of your laptop, as well as your contact information. You should also reach out to your bank or credit card company to cancel any open accounts or cards associated with your laptop.
• Finally, send out a message to your contacts, letting them know that your laptop is lost and asking them to keep an eye out for it.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that losing your laptop doesn’t have to be a total disaster.