VUWER

VUWER (pronounced like "viewer") is an Applescript application designed to remotely track your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro (or any other Apple computer) in the event that it is lost or stolen. VUWER is not foolproof, but it is reasonably secure, easy to implement, and costs nothing but a little time and effort to set up. (1) VUWER is free of charge, open source, and relies on standard OS X commands and readily available freeware applications for installation and operation. Also, since VUWER is written in Applescript, it is relatively easy to modify or enhance in any way you choose. (2) You are in complete control of where the captured data from your stolen laptop is sent and how it is accessed; data can be transmitted either by email, by secure file copy to another computer account, or to your Dropbox account. (3) You can remotely capture screenshots, iSight/FaceTime camera images, and IP geolocation data from your laptop, and separately choose their respective repetition intervals. (4) No third-party intermediary is required to track your laptop. VUWER eliminates any possibility of an unscrupulous person at a theft-recovery company snooping on you.

What is new in this release:

• Made changes to ensure that VUWER is compatible with App Translocation security feature in macOS Sierra.
• Made more bug fixes and updates to documentation.

What is new in version 1.8.2:

• Fixed bug that could cause VUWER to crash for OS X 10.8.5 and earlier.

What is new in version 1.8.1:

• For Installation Option 1, the sendEmail program has been modified to eliminate SSH handshake errors that some users have experienced.
• For Installation Option 3, Dropbox upload / download functions have been upgraded to API v2.
• During installation, VUWER setup now checks installed versions of sendEmail, Imagesnap, and wacaw. If the binaries have not changed, they are not reinstalled.
• Made various minor bug fixes and updates to documentation.

What is new in version 1.8:

• This version introduces Installation Option 3, which integrates VUWER with Dropbox. This new option is recommended for most users due to its improved performance and ease of installation.
• The PowerPC architecture is no longer supported by VUWER. Version 1.7.7 will remain available on the VUWER web site for PowerPC Macs.
• VUWER now sends periodic status update emails / files even if the computer is placed in lost / stolen mode.
• When VUWER sends a status update in standby mode, you have the option to also see a desktop notification (for versions of OS X that support notifications).
• Added new VUWER documentation for Installation Option 3.

What is new in version 1.7.7:

• Fixed bug that caused installation failure on some Macs with solid-state drives.
• Fixed attributes bug that prevented VUWER from installing on computers using the Ostiarius security program.
• Modified documentation to emphasize the requirement to change Gmail settings so that sendEmail (which Google considers a "less secure app") will function correctly with Installation Option 1.

What is new in version 1.7.6:

• Fixed problem where SSH key was not being shared between different user accounts after Installation Option 2 in OS X 10.11 (El Capitan). If using Installation Option 2, you should re-run the SSH setup routine and recreate the SSH key prior to upgrading VUWER.
• Fixed bug causing VUWER to fail on laptops with non-U.S. character sets with El Capitan installed. If you have been unable to successfully install or operate VUWER since upgrading to OS X 10.11, this update should resolve it.

What is new in version 1.7.5:

• VUWER now works with OS X 10.11 (El Capitan).

What is new in version 1.7.4:

• Fixed bug that caused VUWER setup failure for new installations.

What is new in version 1.7.2:

• Fixed bug that that could cause wacaw (the image capture program used by VUWER) to freeze if third-party image capture software is installed. VUWER will now specifically look for an iSight or FaceTime camera to use. If neither is available, VUWER will use the first available USB camera that it finds. If no USB camera is available, VUWER will attempt to use any other camera connected to the computer.
• Added new clickable Google Maps link to show computer location with radius circle drawn around it.
• Geolocation file now includes information about computer's software configuration.
• Made various minor bug fixes and updates to documentation.