laptops that de-activate when taken out of range of a wireless network?

[ryancw]

Sorry if a little off-topic.

I am on the board of trustees of our local public library. We recently set up a public-access wirless network. It covers the building and about 200 feet all around it. It has been quite well-received by our patrons.

We are going to purchase several more public-access computers. We usually buy desktops, with hard-wired internet access, via the typical Cat5 cable. But now with our wireless access point, the thought came up that perhaps we could buy some laptops. Patrons could sign them out with their library cards and then use them anywhere in the building. Would simplify cabling/space issues for us.

Security of course is the kicker. We would not want anyone walking off with one. Do you all have any suggestions for technical solutions to potential theft? I have read briefly about software that secretly sends an e-mail with the laptop's GPS coordinates every time it is booted up. I also wonder whether there is software that would render a computer inoperable if it is outside the range of a specified wireless LAN (specifically, ours).

I'd love to hear any creative suggestions.

Thanks.

--Chris

[fos]

Why not bury one of the rfid security sensors that you place in books inside the laptop case. That way, if it goes through the security gates it would sound the alarm. They probably make sensors that can't be deactivated.

I'm assuming that you have the rfid security system in place at your library.

fos....

[uteck]

There are security programs that will install in the BIOS, but they still need a working network to send info. Absolute.com is one that I have worked with before.
The GPS idea sounds neat, but does not stop someone from turning it off, taking it home, and then trying to wipe the drive. Even if you catch them, they still took it, and next time they may just take it apart.

Using the rfid stickers from the books will not work if you have a self check out system, because they will just put the lappy there to turn it off. And depending on the model, it may produce enough interference to block it, or heat to unstick it. The cost of the security programs may outweigh the cost of the laptops.

If they insist on laptops, get a small flash drive for them that will install were the hard drive would go. Install a small linux distro on it, and use a remote X session on a server to host sessions. If MS is a must, install Win4Lin or Qemu on the server and make it the default session for the lappys. (This months Linux Journal has a nice article about this method.)
If they go to far the session stops (but can be returned to after reconnecting to the network), and if they steal it, it will not run much with only a 64MB drive. And if the Bios supports absolutes software, you may track the unit down eventually.

[uteck]

I saw this laptop that does all this, http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS5810875573.html
But it will not be available until the end of '07.