What to do before and after losing a smartphone
A handheld smartphone is becoming a reflection of our lives. The bulk of the daily work is now being done on the smartphone screen, with the touch of a hand. Now many people are keeping most of the information on smartphones. So if the smartphone is stolen or lost, users are left worried. What to do before and after a smartphone is stolen or lost - let's take a look.
Warnings before losing a phone
Keep tracker on
Whether the smartphone you use is Android or iPhone - there are some features that allow you to identify the location of the phone from a distance. This feature is called 'Find My Device' on Android. And on the iPhone it's called 'Find My iPhone'. Find the 'Find My Device' option in the 'Security and Location' menu by going to Android's Settings. In the case of an iPhone, you need to click on the account's log in account in the settings menu.
Once this option is turned on, it will automatically save the latest 'location' information on your smartphone. If the phone is lost or stolen, the stolen mobile must be accessed by a Google or Apple account on another device. This is where the latest location of the stolen phone will be known.
The 'Find My Device' option offers more benefits. For example, the phone can be locked permanently from a distance. Even all the information on the phone can be deleted.
Adds extra protection to the lock screen
Smartphones have the most personal information on apps like Facebook, Messenger, Whats App and Gmail. And almost everyone in these apps is usually automatically allowed to 'log in'. That is, once you log in with a password, you do not need a password to log in again. As a result, if the smartphone goes into the hands of another person, your personal privacy is initially protected by the phone's 'lock screen'. Therefore, the phone should always be on the lock screen with added security. Besides the password, there are various types of security levels including pattern, face lock, finger print lock. Any one of these can be used. For Android, these options can be found in 'Security and Location'. The Face ID and Pass code is available on the iPhone. It is better to keep apps with personal information (Facebook, Gmail) locked separately.
All information must be backed up
Even if a smartphone is not stolen, it is sometimes necessary to delete all data. Especially when the phone needs to be 'factory reset'. In this case, all the information on the phone can be backed up to the cloud. Currently Google and many other organizations offer the ability to store up to a few GBs of data in the cloud for free. On the other hand, there is the opportunity to save the data at a regular rate even with regular fees. Backup options can be found by going from 'System Settings' to 'Advanced Settings' in Settings to back up the data on Android. On the other hand, by clicking on the account name from the settings on the iPhone, go to the 'Cloud Backup' option.
What to do if you lose your phone
Contact police or mobile operator
If the phone is lost or stolen, the first thing to do is to contact the operator who used the SIM card. They will be able to turn off your SIM. There will be no way to commit any criminal activity using that SIM. A general diary (GD) should be done at the police station.
Eye on online account
Even if a lost or stolen phone has some level of security, you should regularly monitor your online account (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Because, there is no such thing as ultimate security in the online world. You need to keep an eye on this information when you are logged in from some device during account activity. This will tell if anyone else is trying to get into that account.
A handheld smartphone is becoming a reflection of our lives. The bulk of the daily work is now being done on the smartphone screen, with the touch of a hand. Now many people are keeping most of the information on smartphones. So if the smartphone is stolen or lost, users are left worried. What to do before and after a smartphone is stolen or lost - let's take a look.
Warnings before losing a phone
Keep tracker on
Whether the smartphone you use is Android or iPhone - there are some features that allow you to identify the location of the phone from a distance. This feature is called 'Find My Device' on Android. And on the iPhone it's called 'Find My iPhone'. Find the 'Find My Device' option in the 'Security and Location' menu by going to Android's Settings. In the case of an iPhone, you need to click on the account's log in account in the settings menu.
Once this option is turned on, it will automatically save the latest 'location' information on your smartphone. If the phone is lost or stolen, the stolen mobile must be accessed by a Google or Apple account on another device. This is where the latest location of the stolen phone will be known.
The 'Find My Device' option offers more benefits. For example, the phone can be locked permanently from a distance. Even all the information on the phone can be deleted.
Adds extra protection to the lock screen
Smartphones have the most personal information on apps like Facebook, Messenger, Whats App and Gmail. And almost everyone in these apps is usually automatically allowed to 'log in'. That is, once you log in with a password, you do not need a password to log in again. As a result, if the smartphone goes into the hands of another person, your personal privacy is initially protected by the phone's 'lock screen'. Therefore, the phone should always be on the lock screen with added security. Besides the password, there are various types of security levels including pattern, face lock, finger print lock. Any one of these can be used. For Android, these options can be found in 'Security and Location'. The Face ID and Pass code is available on the iPhone. It is better to keep apps with personal information (Facebook, Gmail) locked separately.
All information must be backed up
Even if a smartphone is not stolen, it is sometimes necessary to delete all data. Especially when the phone needs to be 'factory reset'. In this case, all the information on the phone can be backed up to the cloud. Currently Google and many other organizations offer the ability to store up to a few GBs of data in the cloud for free. On the other hand, there is the opportunity to save the data at a regular rate even with regular fees. Backup options can be found by going from 'System Settings' to 'Advanced Settings' in Settings to back up the data on Android. On the other hand, by clicking on the account name from the settings on the iPhone, go to the 'Cloud Backup' option.
What to do if you lose your phone
Contact police or mobile operator
If the phone is lost or stolen, the first thing to do is to contact the operator who used the SIM card. They will be able to turn off your SIM. There will be no way to commit any criminal activity using that SIM. A general diary (GD) should be done at the police station.
Eye on online account
Even if a lost or stolen phone has some level of security, you should regularly monitor your online account (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Because, there is no such thing as ultimate security in the online world. You need to keep an eye on this information when you are logged in from some device during account activity. This will tell if anyone else is trying to get into that account.