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Simple idea really, leveraging the fingerprint access devices which seem to be becoming common on IBM/Lenovo machines in particular.
Basically kit these laptops out with GSM/3G mobile network access, to be built in along with a fingerprint access device.
If, for any reason the fingerprint fails
to authenticate (I.E. not an authorised user), the laptop can upload the fingerprint image to an escrow, and kept confidentially and securely, only to be released to the police for investigation should your laptop be reported stolen.
I hypothesise that most youths/hoodies/muggers who steal laptop are already known to the police, and in the UK at least, will have their fingerprints held on a computer searchable database. If they try to access the laptop they will straight away give the police evidence, and a lead, to catch and convict them - along with any other handlers along the way.
As far as privacy is concerned, stick a label on there to notify people what will happen. (your fingerprints will be uploaded blah blah blah) Someone will still try it anyway - sooner or later.
Maybe this could be incorporated with a low-cost GPS device, for tracking, but I'm sure that's already been discussed ;)
Short name, e.g., Bob's Coffee
Destination URL.
E.g., http://www.coffee.com/
Description (displayed with the short name and URL.)
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How about if a fingerprint is not identified then the laptop would slice off the culprits fingerprints with a high intensity laser whilst simultaneously letting off a loud alarm. The thief would run off, bleeding and someone would hear the laptop and hey presto! you would get your computer back and a little souvenir of its temporary owner. |
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[wongmeister] God help the guy who forgets his own password! |
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The cellular device may have to negotiate firewalls... |
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"Hey Larry, this laptop's always trying to access the Internet via some 3G link. Whassat mean?" |
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//only to be released to the police for investigation should your laptop be reported stolen.// |
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[+] I like the common sense employed in this part. |
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//As far as privacy is concerned, stick a label on there to notify people what will happen// |
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I don't think that's an issue. Obtaining prints from a stolen item (by physical or electronic means) is a fair way to obtain evidence. |
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What is an issue is that unless the laptop is subsequently recovered, or further evidence comes to light, then there's little more than suspicion of handling anyhow. At best the uploaded print would provide corroborating evidence. Evidence based upon a scanned digital image transmitted to a remote location is likely to collapse under close scrutiny unless supported independently. It would be most unlikely that a charge, let alone conviction, could be secured through this means alone. However, if the timing was right, it could ease recovery and at the least provide useful intelligence. |
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Storing the print on the laptop's hard drive could be useful should the upload fail. |
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\\ I don't think that's an issue. Obtaining prints from a stolen item (by physical or electronic means) is a fair way to obtain evidence. \\ That presupposes that a theft has taken place. There are dozens of reasons why you might use a laptop without authorisation (using a friend's one and forgetting about authorisation processes is an easy example). I do like the idea of not reporting it to the police. |
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[wongmeister], how will this person get their laptop back? I'm sure as hell not going to touch it. |
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//That presupposes that a theft has taken place// |
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Yes and no. I agree I was thinking more about the fairness of evidence angle, where, yes a theft would be part of it. |
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But on the privacy angle I can't imagine that someone would believe that a laptop would recognise their fingerprint just because they are a friend of the owner, forgetful of the authorisation process or otherwise. It's not picking up prints from any old part of the laptop after all, just the fingerprint access device. |
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I'll concede the point if there is a genuine, honest reason why someone would try to scan their print without the owner's consent, and having not previously registered with that machine, but I can't think of one right now. |
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[Edit] - Oh, ok, I've thought of a couple - the owner's small child trying to use the laptop, a non-computer-savvy relative having a go believing that the owner wouldn't mind, etc. OK then, put the sticker on it, I'll wind my neck back in. |
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The escrow is a safeguard for biometric data privacy and security, perhaps coupled with a condition that data is to be deleted after a predetermined period of time, say 2 weeks. |
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This data would only be released in the event of a laptop theft, to the Police, and only at the request of the laptop owner. |
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Unsuccesful login attempts would be timestamped, and therefore any login attempted after the time of the theft would be identifiable as that of the perpetrator, or associates (or dave down the pub who just bought a cheap, hot laptop) |
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At the end of the day, it gives police that many more leads to go on, even if the quality/method of obtaining evidence could be picked apart in court. |
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Lastly, maybe it could be linked with a camera in the lid, to get a mug shot of burgler bill as well? |
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Fantastic idea! A great deterrent! |
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