Security App Makes Stolen Laptops Cry For Help

A new security device that allows laptops to literally cry for help if they have been taken without authorisation, has appeared on the market, courtesy of a US company, Front Door Software.

The product called Retriever inserts a new virtual security ownership label that will appear as soon as anyone turns on the stolen laptop but its hidden secret is its ability to utter a spoken message, even a recorded voice clip of the owner.

Users will be able to display messages on the missing laptop's screen and this can only be stopped by logging onto a website and disabling it over there.

There's actually a big yellow and red banner that flashes on the screen stating that the laptop has been lost or stolen.

The voice message is apparently set to appear every 30 seconds with the default text being “Help, this laptop is reported lost or stolen. If you are not my owner, please report me now.”

It is not known whether disabling the sound card is possible. The £21 package is available on trial and allows owners to remotely access the stolen laptop to change their login details