So it’s one thing to lose your data and have it be lost forever due to a hard drive failure, but it’s something else entirely when that data could be used for illegal purposes by someone else or a competitor.

ALL computer users Mac or PC, need to have a tested and reliable backup in place! You never know what might happen to a laptop computer. Since you’re out and about, it could get lost, stolen, wet, or damaged (by you or someone else by dropping it). Even if you’re not out on the road, there are still lots of things that can happen. Check out the story we posted a few weeks ago about a client who sadly had her house burn down and lost the data on her MacBook as a result. Or, you can read the posting about the client with an iMac set up on an Ikea glass desk that collapsed unexpectedly, and took out her iMac and backup.

It’s one thing to lose your laptop, but even if you have your data backed up, that does not necessarily stop the thief from using that data to steal your identity or your sensitive information (love letters, banking info, or your photos). With Back to my Mac installed (free from Apple) or Lojack for Laptops, you can secure your data and/or erase it before the thief can get to it.

Here’s a quick overview on Back to my Mac:

OS X and iCloud can help keep your Mac safe even when you misplace it. Sign in to iCloud.com from another computer or use the Find My iPhone app on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to locate your missing Mac on a map. If your Mac is offline when you try to find it, you can ask to receive an email as soon as it makes a Wi-Fi connection. You can also display a message on your Mac screen so whoever has it knows how to get it back to you. And until your Mac is back in safe hands, you can set a passcode lock remotely, or even initiate a remote wipe to delete your personal data and restore your Mac to its factory settings.

Via Absolute Sofware’s Blog regarding Lojack for Laptops.

A Rutgers Chemistry 5th year PhD student, Jingming Zhang, is desperately seeking the data from his laptop, which was stolen from a school building. The student has placed an ad up pleading for the return of the computer, saying:

“I would like to say that you can keep the computer and I would like to pay you money for my data.”

The unfortunate student is willing to pay $1000 for the return of the data and even offers the password for the laptop to help retrieve the file. The laptop went missing from an unlocked room in Wright-Rieman on campus, which houses the laboratories. The laptop was left unattended for a long span of time, so the exact time of the theft is not known.

Lojack for Laptops is a product that MacMedics highly recommends for ALL of our clients! You can purchase it on-line via this link.

Apple has determined that under certain circumstances the rubber surface on some MacBooks may separate from the bottom case of the system. MacBooks shipped between October 2009 and April 2011 may experience this issue.

Apple will replace the bottom case of any affected MacBook, free of charge, that exhibits the issue. You can see details of the program at Apple’s page about the program.

If your White, Plastic Uni-Body Macbook has this issue, you can stop by any MacMedics office and we can replace the bottom case via Apple’s replacement program free of charge. No appointment is necessary, just stop by. The repair takes about 10 minutes.

It does not happen often, but it does happen! A new client came to visit today with her MacBook that was burned in her house fire. Her house was a total loss.

We removed the hard drive with the hopes that it was not damaged, but it was still wet from the thousands of gallons of water used to extinguish the fire.

We referred her directly to Drivesavers in California. We’re a Drivesavers partner, so she will save 10% off her recovery, and there is no attempt fee charged by Drivesavers. If you are in a similar situation, call us to get our discount code.

She was not backed up! You, however DO have the chance to backup so please do that right now! If you don’t have a backup system or your backup if more then three years old, please call your local MacMedics office for help.

Isn’t it worth $119 to have w working and tested backup of your Mac (or PC) in place?

Please read our take on the Blog post titled The Nine Things We Wish We Did Before Our House Burned Down (at the link below). It’s full of good advice for you, your computers, your safety, and how to insure your belongings correctly.

We have several posts on the topic:

http://www.macmedics.com/blog/tag/9-things-we-wished-we-did-before-our-house-burned-down/

In case you are wondering, the house fire started in the mulch in the front yard, and the embers were whipped into a full on fire by the extremely high winds we had last week.

In the shop, when I am advising MacMedics clients, I find myself going back to this blog post from www.younghouselove.com over and over when advising folks on backups: 9 Things We Wished We Did Before Our House Burned Down.

I’ve posted a recap with some of my own thoughts with an emphasis on backups and insurance.

We deal with clients almost everyday who have lost their data by way of hard drive failure, but lots of other clients, some who were even backed up, have lost their data in some other way.

Even if you don’t make it over to www.younghouselove.com, please take a minute to read these highlights with some MacMedics tips:

1. Subscribe to an online data backup service (The writer of the original story says: My external back up drive sat right next to my laptop in my office).

2. Keep passports in a safe deposit box. [MacMedics Pro Tip: Make copies as well, and store a digital copy in your new online backup service too! Dropbox might be a good place. Also when traveling copy medical docuemnts, drivers license, passport, and other fiels you might need onto an encrypted and password protected thumb drive.]

3. Take pictures of each room initially and update them as improvements are made (storing them somewhere offsite – like Flickr).

4. Take pictures and keep hyperlinks of all expensive purchases, including jewelry.

5. Hire an architect (my dad in our case) or use floorplanner.com to document each floor layout along with precise wall/ceiling measurements, each outlet, light switch, crown molding, other trim, type of flooring, any unique items to structure of property. [MacMedics Pro Tip: When you rebuild, the insurance company will try to pay the lowest amount by building things as basic as possible. By having a detailed floor plan with engineering plans along with pictures of each wall, you can force them to build it the way it was!]

6. Put phones in a consistent place each night. [MacMedics Pro Tip: iPhone is right there 24/7!]

7. Get fire ladders for any second floor bedrooms.

8. Scan each photo and receipt, again keeping them offsite, or on an online data backup service.

9. Do not be frugal with homeowner’s insurance. Spend the extra $50 per year for the most coverage. [MacMedics Pro Tip: Highly recommended! Buy a replacement policy rider for anything you have that is valuable. If your $3000 camera or computer system burns up, it’s going to be hard to get the full amount. Insurance might pay for $500 to $1000. Also, see SafeWare.com for computer insurance. If you don’t own your home, get renter’s insurance. It’s super cheap! Clothes are also not fully covered in most polices. If you had to replace every single piece of clothing your family owns, that could cost you $10,000 right there. Insurance will not cover all of that that.]

Links to MacMedics’ special pricing for Mozy.com and Crashplan.com

http://www.macmedics.com/mozy

http://www.macmedics.com/crashplan

There is really no substitute for accurate and authorized Apple repair service. Our talented and Apple Certified Macintosh techs solved another problem for two different Apple customers who both took the time to leave a 5-Star Review for both our Millersville and Lanham offices this week.

When you’re having issues with your Mac, please come visit our fully staffed and stocked offices in either Millersville or Lanham, Maryland. We’ll fix your Mac under Apple’s Limited Warranty or Apple’s extended warranty, AppleCare. Or, we can efficiently service your out of warranty, vintage, or obsolete Macintosh. When your Mac repair is complete, we’ll ensure you know everything you need to know in order to preserve and protect your valuable data and operate your computer successfully for as long as possible.

We love to help! So instead of making an appointment, trying to find parking, dealing with crowds, or having to worry about your data being erased, or having to deal with your computer being shipped away for repair, come see the Apple Certified Technicians at MacMedics.

Thanks to our customer, Mark, who had his Mac serviced in our Lanham office this week. Here’s his review from Yelp:

My Macintosh desktop computer had a complicated problem; part of the electronics had failed, while most individual components were fine. Since MacMedics is a certified Apple Service Provider and Reseller MacMedics correctly diagnosed the problem, which endless Apple phone support had been unable to do. The replacement part and labor were free, since my computer was still covered by the AppleCare Protection Plan. My computer now works better than when it was new. I also got some excellent technical advice on maintaining the computer, including information on back-up plans. I highly recommend MacMedics.

Mark
1/6/12

Also, thanks to our customer, Richard, who had his Mac serviced in our Millersville office this week. Here’s his review from Yelp.

Small repair. Done in a 15 minute walk up. Best service I have had in a long time. Highly recommend!

Richard
1/7/12

If you’re looking to avoid the Mall today, we have some great last minute gift ideas at some really great prices at the MacMedics Millersville location.

Save $100 New & Custom Built and MAXED out MacBook Air 13”, 1.8GHz i7, 4GB, 256GB Flash, Intel HD Graphics 3000 $1599!

Save $100 New Last revision 13″ MacBook Pro $1499 model: 2.7 GHz i7, 500 GB HDA, 4GB RAM in stock at MacMedics at “mail order” price: $1399

1/17/12 Just Re-Stocked: Save $300 MacBook Air closeout: Previous model: MacBook Air 13.3″ 1.86g 2GB 128GB $999 only a few left at MacMedics Millersville

Also in stock:

iPod touch in both black & white
iPod nano Silver
Apple TV
iPad 2 16 GB WiFi (Black)
iPad 2 16 GB WiFi (White)
Used iPad 1 32 GB WiFi + 3G
Used iPad 1 64 GB WiFi + 3G

Buy any iPod or Mac and get 25% off any case (hard shell, sleeve, or carrying bag)

We also have a wide selection of used MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs. There is also a small number of iMacs and Mac minis available as well. All MacMedics refurbished Macs carry a full 1-year warranty.

MacMedics also carries new and used iPads. We have sold out for the holidays, but we are expecting some more in soon. If you’re looking to get an iPad or you’re already getting one for the holidays, we do accept trade ins and we also pay cash for them outright (in any condition).

1/12/12 Update Now 25% off LoJack for Laptops, the Mac OR Windows version makes a great gift. If you have a MacBook Pro road warrior or a college student, this is a MUST have item. Order here: http://t.co/aeEWeorb

We’re going to start posting serial numbers of Apple Macintosh computers that have been stolen from clients of MacMedics. The most recent additions will be at the bottom. If you know the wherabouts of one of these units, please get in touch with us at MacMedics so we can let the owner know.

MacMedics STRONGLY recommends LoJack for Laptops. Learn more and for limited time save 25% off this great software for your MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. LoJack is designed for use on portable Macintosh computers, but it CAN be installed on any Mac! Don’t discriminate against desktops!

Sign up for LoJack for Laptops for Mac here, and for a limited time save 25%: http://www.macmedics.com/lojack

See our full MacMedics Blog post from 2010 on the subject.

Stolen 11/16/17-11/17/11 from Washington DC Metro area office at the same time, so these units might surface together at the same place for password removal, or hard drive replacement:

MacBook Pro 17″ C02D71BQDC7C and a 15″ MacBook Pro W870710MW0K

Stolen 11″ MacBook Air from Millersville, MD SE# C02DKHYWDDQX

Stolen 12/7/11 From Washington DC Metro area:

MacBook Pro 17” Matte display C02DJ3G6DHYC. Also had a USB mouse dongle attached.

Stolen 12/15/11 From Millersville, MD area

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011) Serial # C02GJB58DV13
MBP 13.3/2.4/2X2GB/500-5400/SD/GLSY, Apple Limited Warranty

Stolen 1/3/12

W88510P15L9 Macbook Air

Stolen 1/21/12 from the Philadelphia area:

W801912NAGX 15″ MacBook Pro (Mid-2010)

STOLEN 2/6/12 from Onley, MD area in Montgomery County, Maryland at the same time, so these units might surface together at the same place for password removal, or hard drive replacement:

Black MacBook 13″ SE# 4H7012SVWGM w/ PURPLE CLEAR CASE

MacBook Pro 15″ SILVER KEYBD SE# W8834ARTYJX

STOLEN from Riverdale, MD area 21.1″ iMac Serial Number W8016BJT5PC

MacBook Pro 13″ w/ professional DJ software on it W8828K100P2

STOLEN out of baggage in Philadelphia International Airport on a US Air flight en route to Germany summer of 2011.

STOLEN on 1/16/13 from office in Timonium, Maryland

MacBook Pro 15″ Mid-2009 Serial Number: W89353GY644

STOLEN on 1/23/13 from home in Annapolis, Maryland

MacBook Pro 15″ Late-2011 Serial Number: C02GN22DDV7N

STOLEN on 2/20/13 from a locked gym locker at UMBC in Baltimore County (University of Maryland Baltimore County)

MacBook (13-inch Early 2008) White Serial Number: W88325QQ0P1

If you have info on any of these units we will forward your information to the owner of the machine and also forward onto law enforcement if needed. Help a fellow Mac user out and do the right thing if you encounter one of these units.

Contact us at mdservice (A T) macmedics (d o t) com or call us toll-free and 1-866-MAC-MEDICS

THANKS!

MacMedics will accept your working, non-working, or damaged Apple hardware as a trade in credit towards a new Apple Macintosh computer, Apple iPad, and Apple iPod. You can also apply a trade in credit towards service on your existing Mac that might be in need of repairs or data recovery.

If you have broken or outdated gear just lying around, MacMedics will even purchase some broken, liquid damaged, or outdated Apple Computers, iPads, or iPods for cash. Older equipment, or units with extreme damage can be dropped off at either Millersville or Lanham for free e-waste recycling.

Both our Millersville and Lanham offices can accept stuff for trade. Call us at 1-866-MAC-MEDICS to discuss what you have and how it can be valued.

Justin, a new MacMedics client who came to us from the Apple Store wrote the following about us on Google on 8/5/11.

The employees at Mac Medics were so helpful and polite. When me and my girlfriend went to the Apple Store they belittled her, talked down to her, and made her feel even worse about the problems she was already having with her MacBook. Mac Medics took the time to explain what the problems might be, how they may be resolved, and the different levels of pricing that may result from the work. I would recommend for any Mac owner to use the services that Mac Medics provides. I know that in the future if I have any problems or when I need to replace my old MacBook, I will be returning to Mac Medics.

Update 1/25/12 Lojack For Laptops is not available from the Apple App Store. See our link below for 25% off.

Update 1/8/12: If you don’t already own LoJack for Laptops for your Mac (or PC for that matter), we highly recommend it. Also, a pro tip from your friends here at MacMedics: Just because this product it called Lojack for Laptops, there’s no reason you cannot install it on any Mac computer. Obviously the iSight camera capture features are not going to work on a Mac Pro or Mac mini, but they can still be tracked, erased, and potentially recovered! Since this MacMedics Blog post seems to get quite a bit of traffic, we’re posting our link for special Lojack pricing that is currently 25% off any version, here:

http://www.macmedics.com/lojack

The LoJack team have been working hard to ensure that LoJack for Laptops will be fully compatible with Apple’s new version of OS X, Lion (10.7)

If you plan to upgrade to OS X Lion before July 25th, you will need to take a few simple steps to maintain your LoJack for Laptops protection until our update is fully distributed.

Step 1: Download and Install OS X Lion (10.7) from the Mac App Store

Step 2: Go to www.lojackforlaptops.com/login and login to access your account (Note: If you have more than one Mac in your account, first click on the Mac you are upgrading.)

Step 3: Click Remove

Step 4: Click Install

Step 5: Download the installer

Step 6: When prompted, enter your registration code.

Step 7: Follow the remaining steps to complete the reinstallation of LoJack for Laptops.

Your LoJack recovery info won’t be of much help to you when you need to report your MacBook or MacBook Pro stolen if you don’t have that info with you. Lojack suggests you print your license info and put it in a safe place. It is not likely that you will be able to find it quickly, or have that info with you while traveling or at work.

Macs get ripped off all the time, so be sure to save this info as a PDF and upload it to your iPhone or iPod touch to iBooks via iTunes, so you’ll have it when you need it the most! See our new Blog post for more info.

Sign up for LoJack for Laptops for Mac here: http://www.macmedics.com/lojack

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