What to do when Laptop is lost and Know your laptop's MAC id

MAC ADDRESS
A lot of people have been asking & wondering about what is a MAC address & an IT address. So here’s the low down on it. MAC, Media Access Control, address is a globally unique identifier assigned to network devices, and therefore it is often referred to as hardware or physical address. To make it even simpler it’s like a person’s name. MAC addresses are 6-byte (48-bits) in length, and are written in MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS format. The first 3-bytes are ID number of the manufacturer, which is assigned by an Internet standards body. The second 3-bytes are serial number assigned by the manufacturer. MAC address can be thought of as supporting hardware implementation whereas IP address supports software implementation. MAC addresses are permanently burned into hardware by hardware manufacturer. Often people confuse themselves with IP address & MAC addresses. IP addresses are assigned to the network devices by a network administrator. IP address changes as the network device moves from one network to another. Okay, to make it even simpler. MAC address is your real name by which you are known. It’s your first & foremost identification. In case you’re lost the police generally post’s your photo with your name to trace you. Similarly you can trace a MAC address using special skills that you can acquires over years of yoga & meditation around computers. For IP address here’s a simple explanation. If you like to use Facebook & Twitter excessively at work place the IT guy (mean guy) can trace your usage via the IP address assigned to your machine & block certain websites, so you continue having a horrible day at work & not tweet about it to make you feel better.


What can I do if my computer or laptop was stolen or lost?
First of all file a police complaint in near by police station and register your laptop with 3gadget.com and if already registered then change status to “Lost or Missed”

Often if you plan on claiming the stolen computer for insurance, you'll need to have already filed out a report. Reporting the incident immediately after the crime will save you time in the future.

What to do in below mentioned situations
• If your house was recently burglarized, you should immediately contact the local authorities to file a report so if in the future your computer is found it can be returned.
• If incident happened in office & you believe a fellow employee has stolen your computer, immediately contact HR or a superior. If company confidential information is on the computer, that should also be brought up.
• If your computer was taken while at a public location, such as an airport, bus, coffee shop, gas station, library, taxi cab, etc. report the incident to a superior employee. Often you'll need to file an incident report with the police.


Protect yourself
Before worrying about getting the computer or laptop back, you should first protect yourself. The following steps will require you have access to a computer. So visit a friend, neighbor, relative, school, library, work, or somewhere you can get a computer with Internet access.
1. Log into any sensitive accounts (e.g. bank accounts, online e-mail, PayPal, eBay, iTunes, IM, etc.) and change your password, just in case that information was saved on your other computer.
2. If you have any other sensitive information on your computer that could be used by a thief, such as bank pin number, bills, credit card information, cell phone, etc., make sure to contact the company in charge of your accounts and see if the account can be changed, flagged or monitored.
3. Contact your computer manufacturer so they can make a note in their database that the computer has been stolen, in case the thief tries calling support.
4. Learn more about identity theft, now that the likelihood of you becoming a victim has increased.
5. If your computer had company confidential information, government related information, or stored personal information of other people; you should notify your employer immediately.


Trying to get it back
Before getting your computer or laptop back, you'll need to have the serial number or model number before it can be identified. If you do not have records of this information, contact the manufacturer to see if they can provide you with this information.
1. As mentioned above, make sure to notify the authorities, employees, lost and found, etc. with your report of a lost computer. Often if your computer is found they'll need to know how to contact you.
2. Leave some not so sensitive accounts such as your Instant Messenger, distributed systems, YouTube account, Flickr account, MySpace account, etc. open and watch the pages for activities. In some situations the thief may use the account because it automatically logs into the page. This information could be used to help identify the person.
3. Visit local pawn shops and watch the local paper want ads for a few weeks, to see if the thief is trying to pawn it off.
4. Place an article in the want ads with your computer description and serial number, and mention a reward for returning your lost computer.
5. Registering with 3gadget.com can be great help, as they a big network of used product buyer who come on 3gadget.com to check the authenticity of used gadget, so as soon as they come across to your laptop you will be intimated.