Prey is an open-source recovery and security tool that runs a small agent on a Windows computer and waits for a remote signal. When a device is marked as missing, it can report location, hardware and network details, capture screenshots or webcam photos, and send evidence to an account or email. Remote actions include sounding an alarm, displaying a message, locking the PC and removing stored passwords.
| Author: | Fork Ltd. |
| License: | Open Source |
| Price: | FREE |
| Released: | May 1, 2024 |
| File size: | 15.10 MB |
| Downloads: | 308 |
| Keywords: | Windows 10 compatible, device tracking, Locate Computer, Secure Laptop, Fork Ltd, laptop theft protection, Laptop Tracker, device recovery tool, control, protect, remote computer lock, find lost computer, laptop tracking software, x64, security, Prey x64, remote pc security, remote, anti-theft software, data protection |
| Author URL: | https://preyproject.com/ |
Prey is an open-source device recovery and security tool for people who want to locate a Windows computer if it goes missing. A small agent runs on the device and waits for a remote signal. When the computer is marked as missing, Prey can collect information about its location, hardware and network status, then send reports to the user's account or email, depending on the chosen reporting method.
Location reports can use GPS or nearby Wi-Fi hotspots to estimate where the device is. Prey can also report network details and capture a screenshot of the active session, helping show how the computer is being used. If the computer has a webcam, it can take a photo of the person in front of it. These records can help an owner assess a loss and provide information about the device's whereabouts and activity.
Remote controls offer ways to draw attention to a missing computer or restrict access. Prey can sound an alarm or display an onscreen message. It can also lock the PC behind a password and remove stored passwords; Outlook or Thunderbird data can be hidden as an additional privacy measure. These actions are initiated remotely, so the owner can respond without having physical access to the computer.
Prey is intended for laptop owners, travelers and organizations that need a way to monitor devices after they leave their immediate control. The reporting features are useful for gathering evidence, while the lock and data-protection options can help reduce exposure if a computer is lost or stolen. An optional Wi-Fi autoconnect feature can try to connect the device to a nearby open hotspot when it has no internet connection, allowing it to communicate its status.
The Windows x64 edition is open source and free to use. The supplied system information includes Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11. Its recovery functions depend on the device being able to receive a remote signal and send reports; location accuracy and available evidence depend on the hardware and network conditions. Prey is intended to run quietly while waiting for activation, rather than continuously displaying reports or controls on the desktop.