Security marking options

[m0bov]

Hi, looking for an up to date security marking solution for laptops, Ipads, PCs etc.... Something that's visible and maybe also invisible.

 

I recall smart water and those stamps with your postcode, all my old customers used something different. Could you guys hit me up with suggestions????

 

Thanks

[TechMonkey]

Smart Water is good, as long as the Police are still checking for it. Otherwise we use an engraving machine and just write the school postcode, once in large and one somewhere discreet.

[mavhc]

SelectaDNA, no ongoing costs

 

https://www.selectadna.co.uk/dna-asset-marking/dnamedium

 

I got it for £380, 5 bottles with screw down lids, used about half a bottle so far, comes with orange stickers to point out something's been marked

[TechMonkey]

Not sure if SelectaDNA is the same but SmartWater has a shelf life, 2 years, so if you get too much and don't use a bottle in time it may time out. I know we had a massive bottle that we used for the full two years and did loads of items. Can't tell from their website if they still do the big bottles as it only shows small bottles.

[andy_b]

Genuine question - has anyone ever recovered stolen equipment that has been security marked?

 

I have had many marked items stolen over the years and it didn't make any difference - so much so that I don't really bother any more.

[thebatman]

Genuine question - has anyone ever recovered stolen equipment that has been security marked?

 

Once, many years ago, someone tried to pawn a laptop not knowing that the shop tested for smartwater/dna. That is the only time.

[TechMonkey]

Yep. We had a PC stolen, literally someone came in late, picked it up off the desk and walked out with it unchallenged. Found in a field and returned.

[Bompalompalomp]

We use these for small/expensive bits of kit that can't be etched https://www.idmark.com/id-silver-mark/id-silver-mark.html and these style stencils with etching compound for most things https://www.selectamark.co.uk/security-marking/supermark-classic-labels

 

We have them numbered and use them for our inventory asset tags too. Coincidentally, we had a laptop that was stolen a couple of years ago found and returned this week because it had our school and postcode on it.

[mavhc]

Someone took some old laptops we'd removed hdds from and left for the recycler, then dumped them in a field, and they were returned to us via the security markings. So that was pointless.

[Andrew_C]

Flip side - someone (may well have been Sony) refused warranty replacement on an etched laptop.

[andy_b]

Interesting.

 

Once got the WEEE recycyling pile stolen and the insurance paid new for old!

 

Had to argue with a supplier as they refused warranty as the laptop was "marked", eventually they backed down.

 

Never had a recovery though

[mavhc]

Not sure if SelectaDNA is the same but SmartWater has a shelf life, 2 years, so if you get too much and don't use a bottle in time it may time out. I know we had a massive bottle that we used for the full two years and did loads of items. Can't tell from their website if they still do the big bottles as it only shows small bottles.

 

My selectadna kit came with 5 small bottles

[FN-GM]

I really don’t see the point in doing this. Surely it’s all insured? Register your serial numbers with the police. If anything turns up you will get it back. I had this happen back in 2011.