An electronic device has software for protecting the electronic device from unauthorized utilization. When executed, the software causes the electronic device to execute an application component, wherein the application component is configured to automatically ascertain whether the electronic device has been reported stolen, based on information received from a server system. The electronic device also automatically determines whether the application component is operating correctly, and if so, automatically provides a basic input/output system (BIOS) component of the electronic device with information indicating that the application component is operating correctly. During a subsequent boot process for the electronic device, the software automatically prevents the electronic device from completing the boot process if the BIOS component does not find the information from the application component indicating that the application component was operating correctly. Other embodiments are described and claimed.