[LINK] Remote laptop detection

[Ivan Trundle]

Dear Linkers

Read an interesting speculative article about laptop thefts from  
vehicles in Malaysia, which hinted that thieves are able to detect  
the RF signal (or something else) emanating from the laptops internal  
clock, or possibly an RFID signal, or bluetooth, IR, or the battery,  
or whatever. Wake on LAN? Detection of lithium ion trace material?

Anyone care to speculate on how this is possible? Given that laptops  
are virtually impossible to switch off completely (sleep, yes; unplug  
the battery, yes - but the internal CMOS battery?), what steps should  
laptop users take to avoid detection and possible theft?

Or is this just an urban myth, and that thieves simply stake out the  
victim (or victim's car) beforehand?

iT