Lost my work laptop

So sad.

I left it in the cabinet Friday unlocked and went home thinking the workplace was safe.

Came back Monday morning and it was gone. It is password protected and encrypted but the password isn't very good.

All that remained on my desk was my charger and mouse. I spent the rest of the day working on my personal use laptop.

Hopefully it was just that the computer security people took the laptop because they thought it was in an insecure place or belonged to the intern that had left Friday.

Earlier today I talked to reception and entertained the possibility that the laptop was at home. It's not.

I checked my dropbox account. If someone has taken it and logged in, then they weren't connected to the internet, otherwise I think the sync would have shown activity.

What's strangest is that the charger and mouse are still there. If IT or a criminal had taken the laptop they'd have taken the charger too. I doubt I lost it on the trip home. The only motivation I can think of for someone stealing it is to sell it to a competitor for company secrets.

I really hope I don't lose my job for this. I don't really have anything that vital on my computer, and I've changed my lastpass master password. Killed all other sessions.

I guess I just never expected this to happen. I didn't think my laptop would get stolen, kind of like how people don't expect to get hit by a car when they jaywalk until it happens.

edit: ended up being fine. No investigation going on as far as I know though.

Last edit: 2012-09-06 10:05:44

Eben United States. August 21 2012 13:24. Posts 728

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If someone did steal it from the office then does your office have security cameras? or at least some at the entrance/exit? If it was stolen they would have to leave with it sometime between when you left for home and when you returned the next day, the security people should be able to help that way.

Hopefully it is just as simple as the security people securing it for you because they were afraid it would get stolen.

I hope everything works out and you don't lose your job over this, sucks.

obesechicken13 United States. August 21 2012 13:35. Posts 4200

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On August 21 2012 13:24 Eben wrote:
If someone did steal it from the office then does your office have security cameras? or at least some at the entrance/exit? If it was stolen they would have to leave with it sometime between when you left for home and when you returned the next day, the security people should be able to help that way.

Hopefully it is just as simple as the security people securing it for you because they were afraid it would get stolen.

I hope everything works out and you don't lose your job over this, sucks.

There is a camera but I don't know if there is one to cover both exits. I'm also not sure if it's even on, if there are more on the other floors, or if even with the tapes we can find a culprit if one exists.

3FFA United States. August 21 2012 13:42. Posts 2651

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You realize there are sites and apps made to detect/prevent these in this sort of thing...

I no longer expect the best in people. Sadly, I am beginning to expect much worse.

Eben United States. August 21 2012 13:50. Posts 728

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On August 21 2012 13:35 obesechicken13 wrote:

Show nested quote +

if your building has security cameras and the money to provide you with a work laptop then the camera will be running 24/7 and most likely digitally recorded and stored, probably on site, for about a month.

I would be very surprised if the cameras at your place were dummies, but I would for sure check with security, tell them you think someone took your laptop from your office on this day, between these times and ask if they can check the tapes for you. In my own experience security people are usually very helpful when it comes to catching someone that it was their job/area to prevent in the first place.

obesechicken13 United States. August 21 2012 13:54. Posts 4200

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On August 21 2012 13:42 3FFA wrote:
You realize there are sites and apps made to detect/prevent these in this sort of thing...

Sites, no.

I'm aware of certain tools that are supposed to give you the IP address of your stolen laptop, but again, that just means if your thief is good enough to unencrypt your laptop, they're also smart enough to not connect to the internet until it's safe.

MooMooMugi United States. August 21 2012 14:53. Posts 4458

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What a asshole... sometimes people just do dirty deeds when you least expect it

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Nymphaceae United States. August 21 2012 17:56. Posts 343

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Just imagine, some guy stole a laptop without any good information on it. Here's your chance to put good information on your other laptop. You must be a sly fox.