Comments on: 4 Mac Security Apps Compared

By: Macs Open to Security Flaw Thanks to Windows in VMware Fusion

Macs Open to Security Flaw Thanks to Windows in VMware Fusion — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:30:35 +0000

[...] are not invulnerable to attack, despite what we may sometimes think. There’s a variety of security software out there to consider, but as always, smart and safe usage is your best bet for avoiding most [...]

By: dani

dani — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:59:47 +0000

Great comparison. Petty that you did not include Undercover.
I just bought MacTrak (but I was about to choose Undercover, but I preferred less intrusion) and I installed iAlertU.
Great!
Nevertheless I should mention, that if you have your laptop password protected you better create a guest account, other wise I guess that if they steal it they will not be able to use it and therefore to take pictures of the person who took it from you.
Also to add a firmware password using your installation CD. That will prevent to reinstall the OS and delete everything.
MacTrak and Undercover have good things. The first one uses wifi location technology and the company has nothing to do if you activate tracking. You get emails and flickr photos directly from the Mac. The second they do it. They just use IP to locate (not always very accurate) but they have a plan b, to fade the screen and display that this laptop is stolen. I like that….

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:07:12 +0000

@Hendrick ROFL! Good one, that is just too funny. Thanks for that, it made my day.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:24:20 +0000

I purchased the MacTrak product after this review, the location was really accurate, about it showed my neighbors house, but still that is pretty cool, this along with a photo could be really useful.

I was curious about the Wi-Fi positioning used by MacTrak, it is pretty cool, I didn’t know the iPhone and iPod Touch were using this, even the 3G as it appears the GPS does not work indoors, there is a video overview here:

http://skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/

Pretty innovative, I was also really surprised to see that they have a database of wi-fi routers all around the world and not just in the US. It works in from Seattle to Singapore. I am curious if this will work on the Virgina Atlantic flights that have wi-fi now :-)

By: Hendrick

Hendrick — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:39:10 +0000

I would say compare lojack, verey from bak2u and undercover from orbicule.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:34:39 +0000

@ Jason: The security discussed in the article is the actual physical theft of the computer.

By: Stefan

Stefan — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 03:31:19 +0000

I personally have undercover and it gives you great piece of mind, yet, I think it would make the apps that much more compelling if it had some of the features of Gadget Track,ie. webiste to see the location etc. – and even if it is just to see that it works with your own eyes.Overall, still the best though I guess.

Embedded in hardware would be brilliant, but I guess Apple would be the last one to go down that path – far to “corporate” I guess.

Cheers

By: Jason Meyers

Jason Meyers — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:55:15 +0000

I don’t see why I need Mac security apps at all?

My Mac has been super secure from day one – no problems unlike my Windows machine.

jmyers0341@gmail.com

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:26:24 +0000

I was always curious how Undercover works with law enforcement in the United States, when they are based in Belgium(?). I don’t think they do all the work for you, as by law you have to file a police report yourself in person. I would prefer I provide the evidence to the police myself, it just makes more sense than asking a company in Europe to contact the police in my city. I am also paranoid, so I don’t like the LoJack approach where you have to contact a company to get data they collected from MY system. I guess I am less lazy and more paranoid.

By: Bertrand

Bertrand — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:11:36 +0000

For sure, undercover is one of the best application. Why ? Just because they do all the law part for you by giving evidences and so on to justice so that you can claim your laptop.
I will have a look to the 3 apps you mention.

By: GadgetTrak Anti-Theft Software for Mobile Phones, Laptops, iPods and more;

GadgetTrak Anti-Theft Software for Mobile Phones, Laptops, iPods and more; — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:02:04 +0000

[...] The Apple Blog did a review of four security products for your Mac and MacTrak held up quite well, you could even say it took the prize in comparison. MacTrak for OS X is heralded as “the most advanced theft recovery solution available for Apple systems”. [...]

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:44:22 +0000

Actually the Wi-Fi positioning is not just North America, it works world wide. You can do a search on this page for a country, city etc and will show areas of coverage.

http://www.gadgettrak.com/products/mac/location

Nice comparison by the way! Thanks

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:13:45 +0000

tried adeona. never worked. OpenDHT seemed to be down or inaccessible so frequently that adeona never reliably reported any data. better than 80% chance that if you lap top took a walk you’d never see it again. in this case, free was not a good enough deal.

By: DJFelix

DJFelix — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:52:20 +0000

Hmm … I believe I remember this from April …

http://theappleblog.com/2008/04/25/protect-your-mac/

Yup. New editing staff must not have remembered to do a search first. Last time, they only reviewed LoJack and Undercover.

I agree with everyone else above. Undercover is the best. The reason is that they will deal with law enforcement for you. They do this on a daily basis, so they know how to approach law enforcement, what to tell them, and how to get them to respond … quickly.

It’s priced much cheaper than LoJack, and they even have a family plan.

By: Kit

Kit — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:43:47 +0000

I haven’t tried it but there is also Mac Phone Home

By: CountPollen

CountPollen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:33:26 +0000

Don’t forget “Undercover”
http://www.orbicule.com/undercover/

In my opinion the best!