My laptop was stolen a couple days ago and i found out through a friend that the computer was in use and that my IChat autosign-in was being used at another location, my screen name was for a google chat account. I know there was a similar question about this back in 2006 but does anyone, know now a way to find the IP addresses for chats in the past? They have not been on since so a direct connection probably wont work. Thanks for any help.
Locating IP addresses for IChat on a stolen lap top
- Thread starter KatieDid
- Start date
Stolen laptops suck - I hope you'll be able to nail the bastard who stole it, and get it back.
There are a few ways to try to find the IP.
Use Adium (if you have another Mac, if not Pidgin is it's equivalent in Windows and GAIM in Linux). Set up another AIM account that has a random handle, and that you haven't used before (so it won't be in your addressbook on that Mac).
Open a chat to the iChat that's logged on. I'd recomend something e.g. about work or asking an opinion for something. Send a file - a picture, pdf etc. Or create a user for a hot looking girl and pretend to be your girlfriend (I'm guessing it's statistically more likely the computer was stolen by a male).
If it the file is accepted, you should see the IP now in Adium.
You can probably also see more details in Console (/Applications/Utilities or equivalent in other OSes) when the direct connection in chat initiates.
If they don't log on in chat, it becomes harder. Do they read your email? If so, you could send a message from some PC program that asks for the read receipt. But even that probably wouldn't get the IP recorded.
There are a few ways to try to find the IP.
Use Adium (if you have another Mac, if not Pidgin is it's equivalent in Windows and GAIM in Linux). Set up another AIM account that has a random handle, and that you haven't used before (so it won't be in your addressbook on that Mac).
Open a chat to the iChat that's logged on. I'd recomend something e.g. about work or asking an opinion for something. Send a file - a picture, pdf etc. Or create a user for a hot looking girl and pretend to be your girlfriend (I'm guessing it's statistically more likely the computer was stolen by a male).
If it the file is accepted, you should see the IP now in Adium.
You can probably also see more details in Console (/Applications/Utilities or equivalent in other OSes) when the direct connection in chat initiates.
If they don't log on in chat, it becomes harder. Do they read your email? If so, you could send a message from some PC program that asks for the read receipt. But even that probably wouldn't get the IP recorded.
Police then...
Do you have the serial number written down somewhere? That will help them.
It wouldn't also hurt to give AppleCare a call so that they can mark the unit stolen in the system. That way if the thief or whoever uses it next would try to get it serviced that could end well for you.
Do you have the serial number written down somewhere? That will help them.
It wouldn't also hurt to give AppleCare a call so that they can mark the unit stolen in the system. That way if the thief or whoever uses it next would try to get it serviced that could end well for you.
Yes, the police do have the serial number and lots of prints and I have been keeping my eyes out for it on Craig's List etc. but AppleCare doesn't do any sort of theft tracking or anything. When I called they literally said Apple wont/cant do anything about it so dont bother trying to register the serial # as stolen!
SGilbert
Registered
Katie, add yours here (if it isn't already): http://www.ccmostwanted.com/report/serial.htm
'coconutIdentityCard' (free) can check a newly purchased computer.
'coconutIdentityCard' (free) can check a newly purchased computer.
Katie, they may have changed on how/if they want to create a case for stolen hardware.
A few systems ago, it was possible to mark an item stolen in the system with a plain tick. That hasn't been possible for some years now.
But an Apple authorized service provider (and support of course) can see what cases or repairs were previously associated with a serial number. So if a Mac owner called to the support to ask advice e.g. about iTunes or browsing, if the same Mac of which the serial was used in association to those cases on the call is later taken to be repaired, they can (or at least previously could) see the headlines of the support cases. If there were cases that seemed directly related ("Lots of applications crash randomly" as a title for a recent case and then unit comes in for that repair) it will be helpful for them to have a look on what that case was about, for instance.
On the same way, if a computer was reported stolen to the support, and a case was created with the title of something like "Stolen laptop" that should be clear enough for the service provider to call in for more info, and then to proceed accordingly.
I guess if the system or procedures preventing logging the cases for lost items was changed again, that could be for preventing wrong serials being reported, or for worrying the systems might not get up to date info if the Mac was later returned to the original owner.
But, the more places the serial is able to be found, associated with its history of being stolen, the better. Usually I wouldn't recommend posting a serial number in the net (or at least hide part of it: ab123XXXyyy if it was for other purporses, as it can still tell the model, configuration, and when it was built even if the xxx (in that location) are covered. But in this case I don't see how even the full serial number, even in this particular thread, would do no harm. Maybe someone who is about to buy it, or has it, or someone who is asked to do some repair on it, would then find the history of it being stolen.
- that makes me wonder: would it make sense to make a pinned thread for all the computers and other Mac gear reported stolen by macosx.com users in the classifieds section?
A few systems ago, it was possible to mark an item stolen in the system with a plain tick. That hasn't been possible for some years now.
But an Apple authorized service provider (and support of course) can see what cases or repairs were previously associated with a serial number. So if a Mac owner called to the support to ask advice e.g. about iTunes or browsing, if the same Mac of which the serial was used in association to those cases on the call is later taken to be repaired, they can (or at least previously could) see the headlines of the support cases. If there were cases that seemed directly related ("Lots of applications crash randomly" as a title for a recent case and then unit comes in for that repair) it will be helpful for them to have a look on what that case was about, for instance.
On the same way, if a computer was reported stolen to the support, and a case was created with the title of something like "Stolen laptop" that should be clear enough for the service provider to call in for more info, and then to proceed accordingly.
I guess if the system or procedures preventing logging the cases for lost items was changed again, that could be for preventing wrong serials being reported, or for worrying the systems might not get up to date info if the Mac was later returned to the original owner.
But, the more places the serial is able to be found, associated with its history of being stolen, the better. Usually I wouldn't recommend posting a serial number in the net (or at least hide part of it: ab123XXXyyy if it was for other purporses, as it can still tell the model, configuration, and when it was built even if the xxx (in that location) are covered. But in this case I don't see how even the full serial number, even in this particular thread, would do no harm. Maybe someone who is about to buy it, or has it, or someone who is asked to do some repair on it, would then find the history of it being stolen.
- that makes me wonder: would it make sense to make a pinned thread for all the computers and other Mac gear reported stolen by macosx.com users in the classifieds section?