When you install Prey, you set up an email address and optionally a URL (i.e. http://mypage.com/stolen_laptop).

Prey runs at a specified interval and checks the URL you previously defined. If the URL exists, Prey will gather the information and send it to the email address you set up. You can also not define a URL and in that case the program will send the data every time it runs. If the Laptop has a webcam, it takes a photo of the Thief and a screenshot of the desktop.

Of course, Prey needs to have an active Internet connection to send the information. If the computer isn’t connected, Prey will attempt to connect to the first public Wifi access point available.

Prey is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.