Folding Forum

Just a few days ago, a computer in a lab I work in was stolen. It had Folding@home SMP on it, and has a static IP. It's possible to use folding@home to track the computer if it reconnects to get or upload a work unit, right?

Maybe... Why don't you PM Bruce about this?

Yes it's possible ... it has been done once, you can read the story here : viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2777

The Pande Group have released information before but only with specific details and only directly to the police (they needed proof of identity of a police officer like name, email or w/e and a case number last time they did this.)

EDIT: Bollocks toTOW beat me lol

SolidSteel144 wrote:Maybe... Why don't you PM Bruce about this?

All of the information that I have is contained in the discussion referenced by toTOW.

Yes, it is possible to track individual machines. Previous issues such as this have required that the police contact Vijay Pande directly. Because of privacy issues, he will only give data to the police. You will need to supply the police his contact info; and the User name/team name ip address etc..

Unfortunately, I have no clue whether the computer's uploaded any WUs to Stanford since I have multiple machines at home running FAH, meaning I can't easily tell whether Stanford has any information on where the computer is. While I don't have police contact info now (I should get it soon.), is it possible to identify the machine in question and keep an eye out for it?

We don't have these kind of discussions in the open forum. You should be having a private conversation with law enforcement, and they will discreetly talk to the project staff.

I will say this... if that machine sends in another work unit, the IP address will be logged with Stanford. And Stanford will be more than happy to share that info with law enforcement.

I'll send you a list of computers that turned in work units in the last 30 days, and a PM with more details.