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+---- Thread: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? (/showthread.php?tid=6134075)
Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - titular - Jan 15, 2021
A few days ago, a friend came to me saying he had bought a laptop (a nice one) from a pawn shop and when he had arrived home, found that it was loaded with all sorts of software from a local school district. He is afraid to run anything on the machine, given they may be able to use a program they have installed to monitor activity.
There are a multitude of programs installed on the computer ranging from security features to basic educational applications.
It is a nice computer and I would hate to see him have his money wasted. Is there a way to wipe this computer and boot it with a fresh OS such as Kali? Or could have the school district blocked this ability on the computer itself? Will I have to get crafty? (lol) Any input is welcome. If you think this thread would do better in a different area of the forum, please let me know.
Sincerely,
titular
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - Angela White - Jan 15, 2021
Literally all you have to do is re-install Windows on it, or if you’re really paranoid, just buy a new hard drive and swap them out & install a fresh install of windows
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - Adeluxe - Jan 15, 2021
do hard factory reset or something and that should do it
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - titular - Jan 15, 2021
(Jan 15, 2021 11:13 PM)KasprDev Wrote: Literally all you have to do is re-install Windows on it, or if you’re really paranoid, just buy a new hard drive and swap them out & install a fresh install of windows
I will have to check if they were able to block access to the boot menu when its starting. Is this even possible to prohibit a function like that?
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - Angela White - Jan 16, 2021
(Jan 15, 2021 11:27 PM)titular Wrote: I will have to check if they were able to block access to the boot menu when its starting. Is this even possible to prohibit a function like that?
A public school isn’t going to block access to the BIOS, they’re using a bunch of cheap shitty monitoring software that they bought back in 2006 or some shit. You can literally just reinstall Windows and you’ll be good as new
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - guardian - Jan 16, 2021
When I read this the Defcon talk Pwned By The Owner: What Happens When You Steal A Hacker's Computer came to my mind. Although a school will not try that hard to track you down, it is still worth watching and might give you a better understanding of how you could be tracked.
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - Pat13nt_Zer0 - Jan 16, 2021
A pawn shop would have done a factory reset before selling it and if its a teacher issued laptop you may need permissions to access BIOS, ect.....
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - titular - Jan 16, 2021
(Jan 16, 2021 12:42 AM)KasprDev Wrote: A public school isn’t going to block access to the BIOS, they’re using a bunch of cheap shitty monitoring software that they bought back in 2006 or some shit. You can literally just reinstall Windows and you’ll be good as new
Thats the catch! They are a very well-funded school district with excellent hardware and network security. Ill keep you updated on what happens.
(Jan 16, 2021 01:06 AM)guardian Wrote: When I read this the Defcon talk Pwned By The Owner: What Happens When You Steal A Hacker's Computer came to my mind. Although a school will not try that hard to track you down, it is still worth watching and might give you a better understanding of how you could be tracked.
Excellent insight. Thank you for your 2 cents.
(Jan 16, 2021 01:45 AM)patientzero Wrote: A pawn shop would have done a factory reset before selling it and if its a teacher issued laptop you may need permissions to access BIOS, ect.....
This is exactly what I was thinking. I will tinker with it and let you know my results.
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - Pat13nt_Zer0 - Jan 16, 2021
Is there any sort of program, security feature, or UI that seems either generic or different? Like something that would be put on a laptop from an administrator. Ironically I was in a similar situation, the laptop I "acquired" from a school had something of this sort and after messing with it for a cpl days it bricked itself when I finally tried messing with admin shit and attempted full reset.
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - titular - Jan 16, 2021
(Jan 16, 2021 08:30 AM)patientzero Wrote: Is there any sort of program, security feature, or UI that seems either generic or different? Like something that would be put on a laptop from an administrator. Ironically I was in a similar situation, the laptop I "acquired" from a school had something of this sort and after messing with it for a cpl days it bricked itself when I finally tried messing with admin shit and attempted full reset.
Very interesting. I will certainly write you if I find something similar. Thanks.
RE: Bought a laptop STOLEN from a SCHOOL--HOW TO WIPE? - webdev77 - Jan 16, 2021
HF does not support criminal activity. Return the laptop.