helping you stay protected in the digital age

Here is the idea: The DynDns updater client runs in the background on the host PC. DynDns updater is installed as a System Service so it runs without the user logging onto the computer. Whenever your computer is connected to a wireless network the DynDns updater client, if configured in such a manor, will e-mail the new IP address to the address specified. With many Internet Service Providers (Cox, Charter, Bellsouth, Earthlink, etc…) blocking the ports (think of a port as a tunnel from Point “A” to Point “B”) required to send e-mail (that being SMTP 25 and POP3 110) one might think there would be a problem with the DynDns updater reporting the location via e-mail.

The way around this problem is to use a secure e-mail provider such as Google Gmail. ISPs (to my knowledge) aren’t blocking the ports used to send secure e-mail (that being SMTP 465 and POP3 995). The benefit of this setup is not only are the e-mails allowed to be sent on many Internet Service Providers networks BUT the e-mail is also SECURE!

Here is the setup: I’ve created an e-mail account specifically for DynDns update e-mails. Could be anything like johndyndns@gmail.com or myownlojack@gmail.com, etc. Here is a screenshot (blacked out sensitive areas)

(Click for a larger, clearer image)
You can see in the image the IP address (or address that you are connected to I guess) that you were connected to and the updated IP address. I haven’t changed my connection to a different one for a few days so the last update was a few days ago. In other words: the most recent e-mail that I have received is the most recent connection my laptop has been on.

So: Step one was to create an e-mail address for receiving DynDns update client e-mails. Go to Gmail.com and create a Free Gmail account. It is self explanatory so no instructions for that.
Step two: Create a free DynDns update account and download the free client.
Go to https://www.dyndns.com/account/create.html and create an account. Make sure you validate your account!

Step one was to create an e-mail address for receiving DynDns update client e-mails.
Step two we created a free DynDns account. Step two “b” is to now download the DynDns update client.

You will need to go to https://www.dyndns.com/support/clients/ and click on the “DOWNLOAD NOW” link to download the newest version (for Windows). Unix derivatives I dunno what yall use. Sorry. If you have no idea what you just read about Unix chances are you aren’t using it.
Download the client and install it. Once it is installed follow the user wizard. I have always used “LOCAL AREA CONNECTION” and never used “DIAL UP” even with DSL. So, select Local Area Connection and click next. Click “DETECT MY IP”. If you are running a firewall such as Zone Alarm Pro that monitors programs access the internet make sure this program is ALWAYS allowed to access the internet WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION, otherwise when Joe Thief steals your laptop and the program asks for permission, duh, tell it no and it can’t update. An IP address should appear in blue text. You can make sure it is the same by going to http://checkip.dyndns.org/. Click next and then add a group. I made my group, you guessed it, the same as my DynDns.org update client AND gmail address. Click next then enter the information used to setup your DynDns.org account. Click next, select “YES, DO AUTOMATIC DOWNLOAD” and click next. You should see your DynDns.org account in the list of accounts. Select the appropriate one (if you have more than one) and click next.

Get a cup of coffee.

Once you have clicked next MAKE SURE that you have “ENABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATE” selected. Click next, select “INSTALL AS SERVICE” and click next. Click “FINISH”.

You may or may not get a “Yellow” or “Red” icon. If you do usually it means there has been an error. Wait about 5 minutes and if the icon turns “Green” then proceed to step 3. If not, double click on the icon, select the “LOG” tab and see what the fuss is about.

Step one was to create an e-mail address for receiving DynDns update client e-mails.
Step two we created a free DynDns account. Step two “b” we’ve downloaded the DynDns update client and have it running.
Step three: configure the DynDns update client.

Double Click on your “Green” DynDns update client check box. Now is the fun part of tweaking the client. Click on the “OPTIONS” tab.
DO NOT CHECK: Start With Windows
CHECK: No Confirmation on Exit; No Beep When Error Resulted In Update Process; Show Window By Single Click; and finally Hide Tray Icon
CONFIRM: That Enable Automatic Update is checked
Hotkey to display popup window: Here is the crux: If the “bad guy” has your laptop and there is a green check box next to your clock telling you “IP Address Update” (s)he will most likely turn it off so we need to hide it. Click on the box and press and hold down CTRL ALT SHIFT D. It should look like the screen.

(Click for a larger, clearer image)

Now, go back to the “INFO” tab and select “Settings”. Go all the way to the end and select the “MISC” tab. I unchecked Check for New Version Periodically but it was for personal reasons. You might want to keep it. We are more concerned with selecting the “WHEN NEW IP ADDRESS IS DETECTED” and check the “SEND E-MAIL” box. A new window should pop up.
Enter the appropriate information for your GMAIL account.

Click “TEST” and if you entered the information correctly a window should appear telling you it worked. Click ok to exit out of the program.

Step one was to create an e-mail address for receiving DynDns update client e-mails.
Step two we created a free DynDns account. Step two “b” we’ve downloaded the DynDns update client and have it running.
Step three we configured the DynDns client.
Step four: log into your e-mail and make sure you have a test e-mail.

If all was done correctly you should have a test e-mail, your client will automatically update your laptops location when you switch networks, and the DynDns.org client should be “invisible” (IE: not sitting next to your clock with a green, red, or yellow checkbox).

Woohoo! You now have a poor man’s LoJack for your laptop. There is no gurantee that if your laptop is stolen this will recover it because the DynDns.org client wasn’t designed for finding stolen computers but it is free and hopefully will work.

BTW: I’m not responsible if it doesn’t work so don’t come to me with a lawsuit saying I owe you a new laptop. In other words: I don’t guarantee this will work (although is has worked for me) and use it at your own risk.

Pros and Cons:
Cons:

Pros:

~ by johndball on July 7, 2007.