GPS tracker for computer

[waterjug]

I thought to maybe put a gps tracker in my computer in case it gets stolen. Are there any gps trackers that connect via sata or something to put inside? or if not, could someone just recommend me one that runs on battery? The most ideal thing would be a tracker that charges via sata, then when the computer is off it runs on a small battery, idk if that exists though. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[CatXice]

yr thinking to hard about it get a battery one and plug it into a usb port header

ie take a usb MB cable cut in in half find the power wires connect them to a cable that charges the gps tracker (cut this cable in half as well to connect the two cables)

[waterjug]

2 minutes ago, CatXice said:

yr thinking to hard about it get a battery one and plug it into a usb port header

ie take a usb MB cable cut in in half find the power wires connect them to a cable that charges the gps tracker (cut this cable in half as well to connect the two cables)

wait slow down wut

[CatXice]

3 minutes ago, wii8cookies said:

wait slow down wut

get a usb motherboard cable cut in in half

get the charging cable for a battery gps cut that in half

connect the power wires

[cyanit]

actual an interesting idea, but how do you want to track this? 

Or is there anything that allows integration with (something like) Prey?

[Skull Leader]

Wouldn't want your porn collection to fall into the wrong hands?

[mariushm]

The computer case is basically a Faraday cage, it shields the electronics outside from electric radiation that's generated by various components inside the case.

So the GPS wouldn't be able to receive signals from various satellites, it won't lock.

 

It would make more sense to hide a cheap phone in your computer, if you're lucky and place the phone near some holes it would be enough for the phone to connect to a network. Then, if you're lucky it may have some sort of assisted GPS where the phone will determine the location based on radio towers around you.

So for example you could plug the phone inside the case in a usb header so that it's "charging" all the time, and when the computer is stolen it's disconnected from mains, so the phone is no longer charging and that could be detected by your software running on the phone and then the software could send text messages every 5-15 minutes with the location as close as possible.

 

There's also some solutions like RFID (passive chips you can put on stuff like stickers) and which can be detected using a scanner from up to around 3-5 meters maybe. Linus even did some videos on it... they're probably on Channel Super Fun.  That may get you closer to your hardware once you're in the area reported by the software.

 

[waterjug]

On 3/12/2017 at 4:40 PM, cyanit said:

actual an interesting idea, but how do you want to track this? 

Or is there anything that allows integration with (something like) Prey?

track it as in location tracking

[rodrosenberg]

I think a good answer might be tiles. I've thought about using this to see where are case mods travel. 

 

https://www.thetileapp.com/store/tiles/slim?opt=SEM&gclid=CjwKEAjwzKPGBRCS55Oe46q9hCkSJAAMvVuM5_NnImp0pn896l9v9r2UKgjV3kct30cCalmR6b5rYBoC5bLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[waterjug]

2 hours ago, rodrosenberg said:

I think a good answer might be tiles. I've thought about using this to see where are case mods travel. 

 

https://www.thetileapp.com/store/tiles/slim?opt=SEM&gclid=CjwKEAjwzKPGBRCS55Oe46q9hCkSJAAMvVuM5_NnImp0pn896l9v9r2UKgjV3kct30cCalmR6b5rYBoC5bLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

hey i think i might try that.. good idea!

[gelmi]

Hi,

I am new to the forum, but I thought that I would throw my opinion on that. Some time ago I designed GPS/GPRS tracker project. Maybe you could use it as a starting point for your localization project. It uses GPS when you get a valid signal (outdoors) and when GPS is not effective (i.e. indoors), it sends you by SMS location of the nearest cellular station. In that way, you can get approx location of your stolen goods. I had this device hidden in my car. It has Li-Polymer battery for backup and is constantly recharged by car's 12V cables - via car battery2USB adapter - when the engine is on. You could connect it to USB on the Mobo or some modified Sata cable. The good idea would bo to enclose it in a fake case - for instance DVD