First post...

First post, wanted to say hi.

Also, wanted to get opinions of what you would do if your computer was stolen. Say this computer was just an old computer that isn't worth much these days but you used it alot as it was your first computer and bought stuff online with it, meaning it has alot of personal info on it. Let's say it's been stolen for months but you haven't noticed anything unusual yet. Would you still be paranoid and take security measures at this point and what are they? Things like changing your CC, etc...

TIA

 

Welcome to MajorGeeks

And to answer your question... absolutely I'd change that info. Immediately. As much as humanly possibly. I'd get ahold of my CC company, Internet Service Provider, and whatever else is applicable and let them know that such info was stolen. Identity theft is too important to kind of hope it doesn't happen.

 

I'd cancel any CC's that I'd used on that computer, As well as considering any info that was on that machine public. If you have the machine in front of you, its VERY easy to get past windows password protection. All you do is reset the Admin password, take ownership of everything as administrator... TBH I wouldnt put anything very personal on my machine unencrypted anyway.

But, chances are these people will simply format it and sell it on, rather than risk being caught with stolen goods by holding onto the machine for too long. If you've saved passwords, then they can break Protected Storage and log into online accounts... so I'd change all my passwords too.

I'd also put UV markered security codes on all of my gear (which I have) so that police can identify the parts should they sieze it.

 

o.0 I never thought of that... good idea

 

Re: First post...Stolen PC

Please note also, one million laptops stolen each year, only 2% recovered according to this article. 1,000,000 multiplied by 0.02 = only 20,000 found !!

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/5/prwebxml129214.php

Anyone with a laptop might want to check it out. Bazza

PS: Do a google search on stolen laptop for lots of links. Baz

===

 

Welcome to Majorgeeks

 

I'm,
most modest,
friendliest,
male,
meet,
somthing.

Only 6 spelling errors there. Yer gettin' better!

Oh and Welcome To MG, i forgot to say earlier

 

Thanks for all the advices and the welcomes, I'm doing damage control as we speak.

i just couldn't believe anyone wanted that POS PC. Thanks again.

 

I would report it to my home owners or renter insurance asap and try for replacement cost... for the box and the licensed software.

 

Welcome what. As for the theft thing, move to a place where if someone steals something, it's easy to find out who it is. Try a town with the population of 150 people.

 

sorry to hear about your problems, and many here would be glad to help
welcone to our little circus