iHound Keeps Tabs On Your Portable Devices
We’re in an age of portability in our gadgets. USB flash drives are the rage, as are other forms of portable storage like memory cards and MP3 players that can double as a storage drive. The only problem with these small, portable gadgets is the high incidences of loss or theft. If you use them to carry around sensitive, personal information on them like a lot of people do, what do you do when that happens to you?
The ihound Software is a free service (for up to 3 different USB drives, after that it’s a small fee) that will allow you to monitor when your portable drives have been connected to another computer. From the website:
What happens if my device is lost or stolen?Your Device Is Located: You will know where your device is at all times via ihound Software’s “Device Tracker”. See your device’s location on a map and “Get your digital life back”.
You’re Alerted Instantly: ihound Software will alert you via email as soon as someone else tries to connect your device to a computer.
You Can Print a Report: Once your device has been located, you can print a report for the authorities that contains your device’s information as well as the location where your device has been tracked.
The software works on most USB devices that you need to connect to your computer to update. (MP3 players, Flash Cards, Jump Drives, Phones, iPods, etc.) They have a full list of supported devices on their website. Pretty cool stuff.
[ihound via Lifehacker]
Join 7 reviews or comments
Mat Says: November 27, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Hey Tom -
Shoot me an email, I’d be happy to try and figure out why it’s not working. Email me at [email protected] Thanks
Norman Says: November 28, 2007 at 12:05 am
Is this another name for GadgetTrak? It sounds just like it and the ads are the same. I am a gadgettrak user and this works well on all my USB things including my Zen.
If it is just a poor copy no wonder it is free
Martinez Says: December 2, 2007 at 11:33 pm
The URL does not work. WTF? Maybe they should charge for it so they can afford some decent IT.
Mark Says: January 7, 2008 at 4:10 pm
This looks awfully similar to this post back in February:
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070228/recover-stolen-gadgets/
Mat Says: January 7, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Hey Mark -
It is similar in the way it works, however the user has total control over how the software is viewed by the thief and also includes a “If Lost Please Contact” pop-up feature. We’re also offering completely for free so please feel free and try it out.
Mat
Hawglegg Says: June 24, 2009 at 8:16 pm
HOW DO YOU GET THIS OFF MY D: DRIVE AND OON TO MY IPHONEY? THIS SEEMS LIKE SOME ILLEGAL OPERATION BUT I WANT TO USE IT ANYWAY. HELL
Tom Says: November 27, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I tried this with my Zen Micro V Plus Mp3 player. However when I registered and installed the app on my PC, it did not give me the drive letter for my Zen. I do not however have the creative software setup on my PC so that could be why. Although the list of devices to install the app onto should still show my external MP3 PLayer. Giving up. Cool idea though.