Chromebooks have become increasingly popular among people of all ages and classes due to their affordability, speed, and convenience. They are great for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a lightweight laptop for basic tasks like browsing the internet, sending emails, and using apps.
However, like any other electronic device, Chromebooks can be lost or stolen, and it’s important to know how to track them in case that happens. Also, you may want to track or spy on a Chromebook to ensure the safety of your loved ones or to monitor your employee’s emails or internet usage. In this article, we’ll explore different methods to spy or monitor a Chromebook, using its built-in features or third-party apps. So without wasting any more time, let’s begin.
Table of Contents
- Quick Summary
- Can You Track Down A Chromebook?
- How To Track A Chromebook?
- How To Spy On A Chromebook?
- How Do You Check If Your Chromebook Is Being Monitored?
- Final Verdict
- FAQs
Quick Summary
Chromebook offers you built-in features to track its location so that you can find it in case you lost it or it gets stolen. However, for that, your Chromebook must be connected to the internet, also it must be synced with your Google account. If you want to track a school Chromebook to ensure your child’s safety on it then you will need to make use of a third-party parental control app such as FamiSafe.
Can You Track Down A Chromebook?
Yes, you can track a Chromebook. Chromebooks have built-in features that allow you to locate your device remotely in case it is stolen or gets lost. You can also use third-party software or Chrome extensions to monitor Chromebook.
The benefit of using a third-party app to track a school Chromebook is that you get additional monitoring features such as tracking web history, detecting suspicious text, and more.
However, before tracking Chromebook it’s important to note that it must be connected to the internet and signed in to a Google account.
Additionally, you may need to enable some settings or permissions on the Chromebook beforehand to ensure successful tracking. Don’t worry we will discuss more of that in the following section of the article.
How To Track A Chromebook?
You can track the location of your Chromebook using your Google account. Just follow the below steps:
For this you can use any other device, such as a computer or cellphone, to sign in to your Google Account.
From the left panel, select the Security option.
Next, scroll down to the Your Devices section and chose the Manage all devices option.
Now select the Chromebook that you want to track. On the next page, you will see information about the device’s current status, including its most recent location if Google has access to its IP address.
If you happen to misplace or lost your Chromebook and want to safeguard your Google account, simply choose the Sign out option to unlink your Chromebook from your Google account. This action will ban unauthorized individuals from accessing your Google account on the Chromebook without your password.
How To Spy On A Chromebook?
You can spy on a Chromebook with the help of the FamiSafe parental control app. To use this software, all you have to do is install the parental version of the app on your phone and then you need to install the FamiSafe Chrome extension on your child’s Chromebook.
Once you have done that, you will be able to block inappropriate websites, track the location of the Chromebook, block apps, and detect suspicious text. The best part is, you can do all this remotely.
Overall, it’s a great way to monitor Chromebook and ensure the safety of your child online. However, if you are looking to spy on someone without them knowing then it may not be possible with this software. The reason is, it is not hidden on the target device such as Windows PC spyware. To learn more about it you can read my FamiSafe review which covers it in full detail.
WebWatcher offers hidden spyware for Chromebook which tracks all the activities on the target Chromebook without the target person knowing about it. However, I have not tested it yet so I cannot be 100% sure whether it works or not but you can try it yourself.
How Do You Check If Your Chromebook Is Being Monitored?
If you doubt that your Chromebook is being monitored by someone then there are a few steps you can take to check and ensure your privacy.
1. Check for installed extensions on your Chromebook
Go to the Chrome browser and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Select More Tools and then click on Extensions. Check if there are any suspicious extensions installed on your Chromebook that you don’t recognize or remember installing. Uninstall any such extension as soon as possible, because it could be spyware.
2. Check the task manager
Press the Shift + Esc keys on your Chromebook keyboard to open the Chrome Task Manager. Look out for any unfamiliar processes running in the background. If you see any suspicious processes, select them and then click on the End Process button.
3. Check the Chrome browser settings
Go to Chrome browser and click on the three dots icon on the top right corner of the browser, then select Settings. Scroll down to the Privacy and Security option and then check the settings for pop-ups, notifications, and cookies. If someone is monitoring your Chromebook then you will see the trace of it here.
4. Use an antivirus program
Install and run an antivirus program on your Chromebook to detect and remove any spyware that may be installed on your device. A good example of a Chromebook anti-malware program is Malwarebytes.
5. Reset your Chromebook
If you are still suspicious that your Chromebook is being monitored, you can try factory resetting it. This will erase all the data on your device, so make sure to back up your important files before resetting. In order to reset your Chromebook, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset settings and then finally click on Powerwash.
Final Verdict
In the article above I have explained how it is possible to track and monitor a Chromebook, whether for personal use or in case it is lost or stolen. The built-in features of Chromebooks allow you to track their location. However, third-party software and extensions provide additional monitoring features such as tracking web history and detecting suspicious text, etc. The article also explains how to remotely spy on a Chromebook using FamiSafe parental control app.
If you feel that your Chromebook is being monitored by someone without your permission then I have also provided you with some steps to check if your Chromebook is being monitored. These include steps like checking for installed extensions, using the task manager, and checking the Chrome browser settings. Overall, after reading the article you have information on how to track a school Chromebook and how to ensure your privacy on it.
FAQs
Can I Track My Chromebook If It Is Not Connected To The Internet?
No, you cannot track your Chromebook if it is not connected to the internet. The tracking feature requires an active internet connection to work.
Is There A Way To Track My Chromebook Without Using A Google Account?
No, you cannot track your Chromebook without using a Google account. The tracking feature is built into the Google operating system. So you need to sign in with your Google account to use it.
Can I Remotely Access My Chromebook Using A Mac, Windows, Or A Mobile Device?
Yes, you can remotely access your Chromebook using a Mac, Windows, or a mobile device using the Chrome Remote Desktop app.
