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Your rating: Now say why...
VUWER (pronounced like "viewer") is an application designed to remotely track your MacBook or MacBook Pro (or any other Apple computer) in the event that it is lost or stolen. VUWER is not foolproof, but it is reasonably secure, easy to implement, and costs nothing but a little time and effort to set up.
(1) VUWER is free of charge, open source, and relies on standard OS X commands and readily available freeware applications for installation and operation. Also, since VUWER is written in Applescript, it is relatively easy to modify or enhance in any way you choose.
(1) VUWER is free of charge, open source, and relies on standard OS X commands and readily available freeware applications for installation and operation. Also, since VUWER is written in Applescript, it is relatively easy to modify or enhance in any way you choose.
What's New
Version 1.5.4:
- This update fixes a critical bug that can cause VUWER to freeze. All users of version 1.5.3 should upgrade to this version immediately.
Requirements
PPC / Intel, Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later
PPC / Intel, Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later
VUWER User Discussion (Write a Review)
Overall:
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VUWER (pronounced like "viewer") is an application designed to remotely track your MacBook or MacBook Pro (or any other Apple computer) in the event that it is lost or stolen. VUWER is not foolproof, but it is reasonably secure, easy to implement, and costs nothing but a little time and effort to set up.
(1) VUWER is free of charge, open source, and relies on standard OS X commands and readily available freeware applications for installation and operation. Also, since VUWER is written in Applescript, it is relatively easy to modify or enhance in any way you choose.
(2) You are in complete control of where the captured data from your stolen laptop is sent and how it is accessed; data can be transmitted either by email or by secure file copy to another computer account.
(3) You can remotely capture screenshots, iSight images, and IP geolocation data from your laptop, and separately choose their respective repetition intervals.
(4) No third-party intermediary is required to track your laptop. VUWER eliminates any possibility of an unscrupulous person at a theft-recovery company snooping on you.
See http://stumpy.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/vuwer.htm for more information.
Please submit comments and bug reports to tim.holman (at) vanderbilt.edu.
(1) VUWER is free of charge, open source, and relies on standard OS X commands and readily available freeware applications for installation and operation. Also, since VUWER is written in Applescript, it is relatively easy to modify or enhance in any way you choose.
(2) You are in complete control of where the captured data from your stolen laptop is sent and how it is accessed; data can be transmitted either by email or by secure file copy to another computer account.
(3) You can remotely capture screenshots, iSight images, and IP geolocation data from your laptop, and separately choose their respective repetition intervals.
(4) No third-party intermediary is required to track your laptop. VUWER eliminates any possibility of an unscrupulous person at a theft-recovery company snooping on you.
See http://stumpy.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/vuwer.htm for more information.
Please submit comments and bug reports to tim.holman (at) vanderbilt.edu.
Copyright © 2012 MacUpdate LLC
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When installing VUWER, it is recommended that you password protect your own personal account (and set a firmware password as well), but then create a standard guest account (without a password) for the thief to log in and use. Provided the thief takes the path of least resistance (and many seem to do exactly that), he or she will happily use the guest account and you'll be able to get data from VUWER. Note that this technique of providing a guest account for the thief to use is standard practice for commercial anti-theft programs as well. Read the VUWER documentation for more information.
Note that if the thief does happen to learn or change your password (but doesn't erase the hard drive), VUWER will also work for your personal account.
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Frieddylan reviewed on 02 Dec 2011
Still I believe the thinking and stability is solid. Good work!
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The philosophy behind VUWER is different, and intentionally so. You are trading off increased set-up complexity for full control of the software. This approach is not for everyone, but VUWER has enough users to tell me that I'm not alone in preferring it over commercial solutions. Consequently, VUWER is open source and free of charge, and will always remain that way.
Also, there's a reason why VUWER is written in Applescript. It runs on OS 10.4.11 through 10.7.2 because Apple has taken extreme care not to break Applescript between different operating systems. Scripting the entire program has greatly simplified the task of software maintenance. Interpreted languages do occasionally have their advantages. :-)
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GraemeP2 reviewed on 20 Sep 2011
I liked it when it showed its location on Google Maps - even if it was a bit out.
I can't get the Overall rating to go to 5 stars - but 5 stars is my vote!
The new version uses Google Wi-Fi geolocation, as opposed to the Skyhook Wireless geolocation, which is no longer accessible via Applescript. So far, my experience has been that Google's geolocation is more accurate than Skyhook Wireless geolocation.
Ccarter reviewed on 06 Jul 2011
As for the rating, you must have accidentally clicked 4.5 stars instead of 5. You can change your own rating if you want, but you can't delete it.
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Kankei71 reviewed on 25 Apr 2011
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Michael Haeusler reviewed on 08 Jul 2010
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It's easy to use, free, open source and it is getting better and better.
:-)
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Tim Holman rated on 06 Jul 2011
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Awado rated on 01 Jul 2011
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Tim Holman rated on 07 Feb 2011