I need a theft proof solution for a PS4

[CrunchyShadow]

Hey there forums.

 

I recently fixed up a broken/abandoned PS4 from my job. I'm giving it to my brother, who lives in a special home since he has schizophrenia. I have already given him an iMac and he also has a guitar, and those things are big enough so that he can't sneak them out of the house to sell them. Part of his condition is that he is extremely impulsive, and long story short, although he doesn't mean to he sells his things pretty often. The problem is that a PS4 is small enough for him to sneak it out and sell.

 

So... my mom said that at her old job they had a wire system that is screwed into the back of the motherboard (of a desktop) and to a desk I guess and which virtually makes the system "impossible" to steal. As you can see, this or a similar system can be useful to my predicament...

 

Any recommendations? I don't know where I can get something like this. IT guys would be helpful here.

 

- Crunchy

[DailyProcrastinator]

Sounds like a Kensington lock solution may work, not sure that something for the PS4 would exist though but worth looking up. 

[trag1c]

I don't think the PS4 has a kensington lock (or whatever the wire is that hooks into computers) but you could considering taking a little bit of plywood and build a box with cutouts for cables airflow and button access and then bolting the box down to something if theres no purchasable solution for the PS4. Have you considered whats stopping him from selling the controllers?

[mohsenation]

You could invest in a wall mount for the PS4 and secure it behind the TV. You could also get a small tracker and be able to track it down if he sells it and get it back. If you need anything else, I'm happy to help! 

[Chris Pratt]

May be a little low tech, but if you don't care about defacing the PS4, you can etch a message into it like "NOT FOR SALE" as big and bold as possible. It would at the very least give a potential buyer pause, and any reputable shop that might buy it, wouldn't, if for no other reason than the defacement itself.

[Fasauceome]

you can remove the outer shell and screw the console into the entertainment center via the casing, or maybe glue the console to a large brick (might be unsightly)

[mohsenation]

2 minutes ago, mohsenation said:

You could invest in a wall mount for the PS4 and secure it behind the TV. You could also get a small tracker and be able to track it down if he sells it and get it back. If you need anything else, I'm happy to help! 

https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B07889Y2P9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YcdsFb0AEA5EN

 

This would be more useful since it's directly mounted behind the TV

[HanZie82]

Like people said the cable thing is the Kensington lock system.
They also said PS4 has no such opening.

If you want to add it, maybe something like this will help: https://www.kensington.com/p/products/security/lock-anchor-points-accessories/security-slot-adapter-kit-for-ultrabook/?r=1#.VcYvLoo8LCQ

[TetraSky]

If you're fine with DIY, you could always go to a home hardware store, get yourself either some steel wire or perforated straps.

Use that to hold down the PS4 onto a heavy desk or a plywood plank (and then screw the plywood onto the wood beams in the wall? lol). Can use security torx screws to prevent him from unscrewing it easily. 

Honestly even a thief would give up on it if they saw it like that, ain't worth the time.

[Heliian]

Maybe something like this?  https://clearpc.ca/store/products/clearpc-sony-ps4-security-case/

[CrunchyShadow]

1 hour ago, trag1c said:

I don't think the PS4 has a kensington lock (or whatever the wire is that hooks into computers) but you could considering taking a little bit of plywood and build a box with cutouts for cables airflow and button access and then bolting the box down to something if theres no purchasable solution for the PS4. Have you considered whats stopping him from selling the controllers?

Haven't considered that! But I don't think I'll go as far as securing that. If ever he sells it his housemates will let him borrow it. He can't sell those!

[trag1c]

21 minutes ago, CrunchyShadow said:

Haven't considered that! But I don't think I'll go as far as securing that. If ever he sells it his housemates will let him borrow it. He can't sell those!

Thats fair. I only suggest it as a last ditch effort lol. 

[dalekphalm]

3 hours ago, CrunchyShadow said:

Hey there forums.

 

I recently fixed up a broken/abandoned PS4 from my job. I'm giving it to my brother, who lives in a special home since he has schizophrenia. I have already given him an iMac and he also has a guitar, and those things are big enough so that he can't sneak them out of the house to sell them. Part of his condition is that he is extremely impulsive, and long story short, although he doesn't mean to he sells his things pretty often. The problem is that a PS4 is small enough for him to sneak it out and sell.

 

So... my mom said that at her old job they had a wire system that is screwed into the back of the motherboard (of a desktop) and to a desk I guess and which virtually makes the system "impossible" to steal. As you can see, this or a similar system can be useful to my predicament...

 

Any recommendations? I don't know where I can get something like this. IT guys would be helpful here.

 

- Crunchy

Depending on how "theft proof" you want to go, you can buy acrylic security cases designed specifically for the PS4. They have a lock and a side that flips open allowing access to the PS4 itself.

 

There's also slots for the disc drive, the power button, etc. You're supposed to mount them (usually via screws or bolts) to something secured, like a desk or table. You could also build a super cheap "floor mount" out of some lumber/scrap wood too. Here's one such example:

https://clearpc.ca/store/products/clearpc-sony-ps4-security-case/

 

They're not exactly cheap - that one's $100 CAD. But you can also modify it further to suit special requirements.

 

A kensington lock could work too but I do not believe the PS4 has a lock slot, so you'd need to attach one (normally double sided tape) or figure out some kind of mounting mechanism.

[Kisai]

4 hours ago, CrunchyShadow said:

Hey there forums.

 

I recently fixed up a broken/abandoned PS4 from my job. I'm giving it to my brother, who lives in a special home since he has schizophrenia. I have already given him an iMac and he also has a guitar, and those things are big enough so that he can't sneak them out of the house to sell them. Part of his condition is that he is extremely impulsive, and long story short, although he doesn't mean to he sells his things pretty often. The problem is that a PS4 is small enough for him to sneak it out and sell.

 

So... my mom said that at her old job they had a wire system that is screwed into the back of the motherboard (of a desktop) and to a desk I guess and which virtually makes the system "impossible" to steal. As you can see, this or a similar system can be useful to my predicament...

 

Any recommendations? I don't know where I can get something like this. IT guys would be helpful here.

 

- Crunchy

This exists:

https://hideitmounts.com/products/tech_universal_accessories_universal_theft_deterrent_hideit_unitd

 

Be aware they also sell "mounts" for PS4's which are not theft deterrents, they're just to mount them to a wall or the back of a TV.

 

There's only two real ways to prevent the theft of something.

a) mount it permanently to a fixed structure, or something too heavy to move (eg a cinder block), this will destroy the device to remove it.

b) change the housing, or place it in a metal housing that can't be unlocked or pried open. 

 

Now I want to be very clear. There is no perfect solution and you shouldn't spend significant money on this, at best you deter impulse theft, but nothing will ever prevent someone who has unlimited time from removing it, and in most cases a prybar or just throwing the immobile object from a height will be enough destroy the console but also free it from the object. As shown many many times on "pawnbroker" shows, the easiest way into a locked box/safe is to just chunk it at the pavement.

[CrunchyShadow]

Thanks guys I think I'll open the backside of the ps4 and glue a Kensington lock to it, drill a hole in the plastic casing for the lock to stick out, and then screw the casing back in. Then I'll lock the ps4 to the desk leg or something like that. I'll post an update! You guys gave me a lot of good ideas but I don't like the "box" solutions cause ps4s already run really toasty and it might break it in the long run. Keep an eye out for an update!

[TomvanWijnen]

5 hours ago, CrunchyShadow said:

Then I'll lock the ps4 to the desk leg or something like that.

Just to be sure: do ensure that he can't just lift the desk to get it out.

[HanZie82]

6 hours ago, CrunchyShadow said:

Thanks guys I think I'll open the backside of the ps4 and glue a Kensington lock to it, drill a hole in the plastic casing for the lock to stick out, and then screw the casing back in. Then I'll lock the ps4 to the desk leg or something like that. I'll post an update! You guys gave me a lot of good ideas but I don't like the "box" solutions cause ps4s already run really toasty and it might break it in the long run. Keep an eye out for an update!

If you are able to glue to flat surface the link i sent should be good enough. The glue once applied correctly wont let go. Or will he break the casing to get it out of there?