One of the core features of the Prey client is the ability to execute remote security actions directly from your Prey panel.
Global prerequisites: For any security action to run successfully, the target device must meet the following baseline conditions:
- Active internet connection: The client requires a logged-in user session and Wi-Fi connection to receive instructions. If offline, the action is queued and executed automatically once it reconnects.
- Device powered on: Actions cannot wake a device that is completely powered off, offline, or in sleep-mode.
Action compatibility matrix
Not all actions are available on every operating system. Use this matrix to verify which security commands are supported for your fleet:
| Action | Windows | macOS | Ubuntu | Android | ChromeOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark as Missing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Screen Lock | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Remote Alarm | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Alert Message | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Wipe | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (APK) | ❌ |
| File Retrieval | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Remote Encryption | ✅ (Pro+) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ (10+) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Factory Reset | ✅ (10+) | ✅ (MDM) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Note: ChromeOS and specific Linux distributions support may vary depending on enrollment status. Check your device view for available actions.
Actions available to all plans
Mark as missing
Enables missing mode, which actively collects data and generates missing reports every 2, 5, 10, or 20 minutes. Reports include screenshots from the main screen, pictures from available cameras, hardware/network information, and current location. You can toggle screenshots and webcam pictures on or off.
Screen lock
Deploys a persistent lock screen with a customizable password and an optional message. It persists through restarts and locks out all users on the device.
- Windows Requires a logged-in user to trigger. If triggered while logged out, it will execute the moment a user enters their credentials.
Remote alarm
Triggers a loud, customizable siren that sounds for 30 seconds, bypassing any volume or mute configurations on the device.
- Windows Requires a logged-in user to run. (Will execute as soon as credentials are entered if triggered while logged out).
Alert message
Sends a highly visible pop-up message (up to 250 characters) using the native OS interface. The user must actively interact with the message to dismiss it.
- Windows Requires a logged-in user to run.
Actions for Prey Protection and Full Suite
Custom wipe
Deletes specific folders within your device using predefined modules or a custom path.
- Requirements If using a custom path, it must be nested at least three levels deep (e.g.,
C:\Folder 1\Folder 2\Folder 3in Windows, or/Folder1/Folder2/Folder3in macOS/Linux).
Android 14+ limitation: Devices running Android 14+ with Prey installed via Google Play do not support this feature.
Workaround: Install Prey using the APK from the Unattended Installation section to use the legacy API that supports Custom wipe.
File retrieval
Browse the remote hard drive in real time to fetch files up to 25MB in size. Retrieved files are stored securely on Prey servers for 30 days before being automatically deleted.
- Requirements Device must be turned on with a logged-in user. Not available on mobile OS.
Remote encryption
Remotely instructs the device to use native BitLocker encryption to protect hard drive data. Encryption and recovery keys are stored and accessible directly from your Prey panel.
- Requirements Windows 10 or above (Professional, Education, or Enterprise editions only).
Kill switch
Careful! This is a highly disruptive action designed for critical data protection. It cannot be undone once execution begins.
Renders the device completely unusable in minutes by destroying its Master Boot Record (MBR).
- Requirements Windows 10 and above. The OS partition must be on a single physical hard drive (No RAID configurations supported).
Factory reset
Careful! This is a highly disruptive action designed for critical data protection. It cannot be undone once execution begins.
Restores the device to a clean slate, permanently removing all data and reinstalling the operating system.
- General The device must be connected to a power source to prevent critical failure during reset.
- Windows Windows 10 and above with an intact recovery partition.
- macOS Device must be linked to Prey’s MDM certificate.