Neat anti-theft idea?

ylsul · 10-01-2010, 04:00 PM

Just saw this (cross)posted on Lifehacker:

http://lifehacker.com/5653282/set-a-...heft-deterrent

This person set the screensaver to say "This is a non-functioning demo unit"

Neat idea!

namebrandon · 10-01-2010, 04:10 PM

Clever..! I like that guy's style.

I put my kindle in a $0.99 padded self mailer pouch when not in use, or left at my desk. Looks like just another office supply.

abookreader · 10-01-2010, 04:19 PM

I personally just try to keep my Kindle out of situations where theft is likely but ....

Okay, that picture made me laugh.

solar · 10-01-2010, 04:22 PM

Although its a bit of a bother to have to put in a password every use, I do use the password protect. In the event my K3 is lost/stolen, the password will hopefully give me some time to de-register the device and advise the folks at Amazon of the loss/theft.

Here's hoping password protect would deter a thief as well, but as mentioned above, I make a point of not leaving it unattended where theft is possible or likely.

Chris

TomF · 10-01-2010, 04:25 PM

I'm more concerned about accidentally leaving it somewhere than someone actually stealing it.

I modified several screensaver images to add "This Kindle belongs to..." along with my cell phone number and e-mail address.

If an honest person found it they'd have no problem figuring out how to contact me to return it. If a less-honest person "finds" it they'll be staring at "This Kindle belongs to..." every time they pick it up!

I also created a Word document with my contact info on it, titled it "Kindle Owner Info", sent it to my free Kindle e-mail address and had it converted. Now there's a "book" titled "Kindle Owner Info".

I also went old-school; I put a sticker on the back with my contact info.

c861556 · 10-01-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

"This is a non-functioning demo unit"

Next time I steal one of these, I'll leave a note saying "Borrowed for demonstration purposes".

Seems rather dumb.

P.S. While you're at it, place a card in your wallet that says "this is counterfeit demo currency". If that won't deter the thieves, I don't know what will.

wurzel · 10-01-2010, 06:24 PM

How does this stop it being lifted by a tea-leaf? OK - you are good at hacking - so what?

Pushka · 10-01-2010, 10:35 PM

If people see something they want, they will take it, and sort out whether or not it was a good grab, well after the event.

Viseguy · 10-01-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushka

If people see something they want, they will take it, and sort out whether or not it was a good grab, well after the event.

Sad but true. For the same reason, don't leave an empty GPS mount in a visible place in your car, and wipe any suction cup marks off the windshield. When thieves see these telltale signs, they "smash and grab" in the hope that the GPS is the glove box or hidden under a seat. If it's not there, nothing lost (for them).

10-01-2010, 04:00 PM	#1
ylsul Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 53 Join Date: Mar 2007	Neat anti-theft idea? Just saw this (cross)posted on Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/5653282/set-a-...heft-deterrent This person set the screensaver to say "This is a non-functioning demo unit" Neat idea!

10-01-2010, 04:25 PM	#5
TomF Kindle Enthusiast Posts: 243 Karma: 1818 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Device: Kindle 3G Graphite, Kindle Fire	I'm more concerned about accidentally leaving it somewhere than someone actually stealing it. I modified several screensaver images to add "This Kindle belongs to..." along with my cell phone number and e-mail address. If an honest person found it they'd have no problem figuring out how to contact me to return it. If a less-honest person "finds" it they'll be staring at "This Kindle belongs to..." every time they pick it up! I also created a Word document with my contact info on it, titled it "Kindle Owner Info", sent it to my free Kindle e-mail address and had it converted. Now there's a "book" titled "Kindle Owner Info". I also went old-school; I put a sticker on the back with my contact info. Last edited by TomF; 10-03-2010 at 02:56 PM. Reason: added "screensaver" to clarify

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10-01-2010, 04:10 PM	#2
namebrandon Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 126972 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago Device: Kindle WiFi	Clever..! I like that guy's style. I put my kindle in a $0.99 padded self mailer pouch when not in use, or left at my desk. Looks like just another office supply.

10-01-2010, 04:19 PM	#3
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	I personally just try to keep my Kindle out of situations where theft is likely but .... Okay, that picture made me laugh.

10-01-2010, 04:22 PM	#4
solar Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi 3G	Although its a bit of a bother to have to put in a password every use, I do use the password protect. In the event my K3 is lost/stolen, the password will hopefully give me some time to de-register the device and advise the folks at Amazon of the loss/theft. Here's hoping password protect would deter a thief as well, but as mentioned above, I make a point of not leaving it unattended where theft is possible or likely. Chris

10-01-2010, 06:24 PM	#7
wurzel Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scotland UK Device: Kindle 3	How does this stop it being lifted by a tea-leaf? OK - you are good at hacking - so what?

10-01-2010, 10:35 PM	#8
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	If people see something they want, they will take it, and sort out whether or not it was a good grab, well after the event.

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