We all are familiar with anti-theft apps for mobile devices, but what about our notebooks? Most of the time, our notebooks are more expensive than our smartphones and yet we do not protect them with any anti-theft system. You can protect your laptop computer with free LAlarm software which makes an audible sound if someone is trying to steal your computer and locks down your PC if someone is trying to hack the Windows sign-in password.
LAlarm can be downloaded from its website and the download is only around one megabytes in size. You can use the downloaded setup installer to install it on your system. After installing the software, you just have to plug your laptop to a power outlet (just like when you plug in the power cord to a power outlet when charging the laptop). You have to lock the Windows PC by using the Win + L hotkey in order for LAlarm to activate. When someone tries to steal the laptop, they would have to detach the power cord. LAlarm would detect that the power cord has been disconnected and make a loud sound to alert you.
If you do not have a power outlet or power cord, then you can use a USB key. Fasten the USB key with a strap or string and then plug it in to a USB port of your laptop. Fasten the other end of the strap or string to a large object like a table or chair (something that a thief cannot take with him/her). You have to lock the Windows PC by using the Win + L hotkey in order for LAlarm to activate. Now if someone tries to steal your PC and run away, the USB key gets detached and LAlarm would make a loud noise to alert you.
In the options for LAlarm (which you can open by seaching for LAlarm in Start Menu or Search Charm screen), you can set a custom audio file that is played when someone tries to steal your laptop. Apart from Anti-Theft alarm, there are many other type of alarms supported by this software like low battery alarm, disk alarm, health alarm etc. You can also select which folders you want to be deleted if someone tries to hack into your PC. Similarly you can also select which folders you want to be uploaded to your Google Drive account in case a thief or hacker attempts to break into your PC. In addition to the audible alarm, it can also send alerts through SMS (text message to your mobile) and email messages.
You should know that LAlarm anti-theft alarm works only and only after you have locked your Windows PC by using the Win + L hotkey. Later, if you want to disarm the LAlarm anti-theft system, then all you have to do is sign-in to your Windows account using your username and password.
LAlarm is a very ingenious software to protect your laptop against possible theft attempts. It is great to use in public places like coffee shops or restaurants. You can arm the LAlarm and leave the table without any worry that someone can silently steal your valuable laptop. In case of any theft attempts, LAlarm would make the loud sound not only to alert you but also to surprise the thief. LAlarm is free for personal use, but business users requires a paid license.
You can download LAlarm from http://www.lalarm.com/.