good tracking/security software for laptop

[BHT]

I received a HP Pavilion g7-2269wm laptop as a gift about 4 months ago

 
I was wondering if you guys could recommend any good tracking/security software
I.E. in case the laptop is lost or stolen  or connected to free public wifi
I have nis,windows defender,malware fighter,malwarebytes,advanced system care,keyscrambler on it
what other software should I have/use especially for public wifi?
I take it with me everywhere(on a Levi's backpack like this)
I want to have multiple gps tracking software on it
is lowjack any good? http://lojack.absolute.com/en


http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03487531

[Carjacker]

3rd party software only goes so far as the knowledge of the person using it - dont get caught up in installing frontend programs and thinking you are safe - you'll get hit from the rear. (pun intended)
Tracking software for a lost/stolen laptop is only viable if the thief connects to the internet, so it's a personal choice if you want to install it.
1.) Use disk encryption software. (ie., Bitlocker, WinMagic SecurDoc, etc.)
2.) Hard to crack passwords of 8 characters or more
3.) 2-factor authentication
4.) BIOS password/lockdown
5.) Use a physical security cable lock
6.) Register the hardware as a layer of proof of ownership. Report it to the vendor if lost/stolen.

what other software should I have/use especially for public wifi?

Get a VPN/Proxy service. I recommend PIA (Private Internet Access).

[zMTz]

3rd party software only goes so far as the knowledge of the person using it - dont get caught up in installing frontend programs and thinking you are safe - you'll get hit from the rear. (pun intended)
Tracking software for a lost/stolen laptop is only viable if the thief connects to the internet, so it's a personal choice if you want to install it.
1.) Use disk encryption software. (ie., Bitlocker, WinMagic SecurDoc, etc.)
2.) Hard to crack passwords of 8 characters or more
3.) 2-factor authentication
4.) BIOS password/lockdown
5.) Use a physical security cable lock
6.) Register the hardware as a layer of proof of ownership. Report it to the vendor if lost/stolen.

what other software should I have/use especially for public wifi?

Get a VPN/Proxy service. I recommend PIA (Private Internet Access).

This is good advice, but be aware that on Windows laptops (all I've seen) disk encryption and tracking software are incompatible goals, as the disk encryption software means a thief will wipe the disk, along with tracking software. Also the tracking software will not be able to load unless you've decrypted the drive in order to boot the operating system.

Be aware by default Windows uploads a recovery key to Microsoft and this is retrievable by law enforcement.

OS X is the only one that lets you do both, as if someone reinstalls OS X Apple verify the hardware with Find my iPhone (despite it being a Mac) at which point a lock will be applied to the device. Also be aware FileVault also uploads the recovery key as a default option although its easier to change than on Windows.

Firmware password is also a must, and a secure password.

FYI get an Intel processor next time

You can't GPS track it unless it has a GPS receiver in it, and I can't be bothered googling to see if it does. Otherwise it will rely on Wifi-based tracking (when Google's street view car drives around it links a BSSID with the location of the car at that point, companies pay for access to this data - yeah, you thought they just did it for pretty pictures didn't you) It's less reliable than a GPS.