Setting Up Prey on Ubuntu (Includes Dual Boot Instructions)

Prey is a piece of anti-theft software which can come handy in the unlikely event that someone snags your device, whether it be a computer, tablet or phone. This post is targeted towards those who just want to get Prey up and running on Ubuntu.

You may also need to operate Prey under a dual boot configuration such that all operating systems (for obvious reasons) are running Prey under a single device in your control panel. Operating under a single device can be necessary if you are someone who owns up to three devices and are using Prey without a subscription; it also makes managing missing devices easier as well. This post will assume you have the other operating system(s), such as Windows, already operating Prey successfully under a single device in your control panel.

Basic Setup

Firstly, download and attempt to install Prey (substitute the version you want to install for X, Y and Z):
wget https://preyproject.com/releases/X.Y.Z/prey_X.Y.Z-ubuntu2_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i prey_X.Y.Z-ubuntu2_all.deb

If you encounter the following message:
Errors were encountered while processing:
 prey

Then, attempt to resolve dependencies and try to install again:
sudo apt-get install -f
sudo dpkg -i prey_0.6.2-ubuntu2_all.deb

Once installed, you have two options to configure Prey. If you are using Ubuntu exclusively (not dual booting), you can just open Prey Configurator and the GUI should guide you. Otherwise read on to the next section.

Configuring for Dual Boot

If you are dual booting then open the file /usr/share/prey/config:
sudo nano /usr/share/prey/config

Search in the file for the following lines:
api_key=''
device_key=''

Now, you will need to find the API and device keys on your Prey account and device's control panel. Copy these keys in-between the appropriate quotation marks for the api_key and device_key in the /usr/share/prey/config file. Ensure you save the file when exiting.

Now check all is working okay:
sudo /usr/share/prey/prey.sh --check

 -- CHECK MODE ON.

 ## PREY 0.6.2 spreads its wings!
 ## Linux Lapasaurus 3.11.0-18-generic #32-Ubuntu SMP Tue Feb 18 21:11:14 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
 ## Mon Mar 17 18:55:26 NZDT 2014

 -- Looking for connection...
 -- Got network connection!

 == Verifying Prey installation...

 -- Checking if cron daemon is running...
 -- Cron daemon found.
 -- Checking for crontab entry...
 -- Found!

 == Verifying API and Device keys...

 ** API key is valid. Your user account is correctly set up.
 ** Device key is valid. Good. Current status is missing.

Closing Words

Once you think you are setup and ready to get the upper hand on the typical thief you may want to give Prey the final real world test. Do this by marking your Ubuntu device as missing and fiddling around with some of the options available on the device's control panel.

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