Stolen Phones: 9 Tips To Do To Keep Your Data Leaked
With the popularization of mobile devices, hardly anyone walks without a smartphone on the street, making this device one of the favorite targets for theft or theft. Since devices typically have a wide range of sensitive information - such as documents, important contacts, and photos - knowing how to protect your data in the event of a stolen phone is essential. So, check out 9 tips on what to do to prevent your information from leaking!
Also read: 7 tips for using Facebook safely
1. Lock your screen with password or drawing
Most smartphones, whether Android or iPhone, have some way of locking the screen. Some recent smartphones - such as the Galaxy A8 - have face recognition or fingerprint unlocking.
We recommend that you use them on your phone, but if your phone is from a few generations old, simply using a password or design is enough to leave a barrier. Setting this barrier varies from mobile to mobile, but can usually be accessed through the Settings app and the Security menu.
2. Locate your Android remotely
Both Android smartphones and iPhone models allow you to access them remotely from your computer. If you're an Android user, keep reading below to learn how to remotely access your device.
To do this, simply go to the link and sign in to your Google account. Remember that it must be the same as the one linked to your smartphone. The templates associated with your account will be shown on the screen and their respective locations.
Tip: Do you suspect someone is tracking your Android with their credentials? Then check out these 9 tips for taking the real test!
3. Locate your iPhone remotely
As we mentioned in the previous item, you can also locate your iPhone remotely. The process is quite similar to what we saw on Android. The function can be used in two ways. The first is specific to someone who owns another Apple device - such as the iPad, Apple Watch, or a Mac computer - made through an app called Fetch My iPhone, which can be downloaded via the link.
Just install it on your device, open the app, and sign in with your Apple ID to find out the location of any of your registered devices. The second way is specific to those who have only one Apple device - iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch - and have a Windows computer. First, go to the iCloud page and enter your login information to sign in to the cloud storage service, which will already show the location of your iPhone on your home screen.
Tip: Protect your iPhone from malware and viruses that can give third parties access with these 9 tips!
4. Code your phone
Another somewhat unknown way of protecting your data and preventing it from leaking if your phone is stolen is through encryption - or encryption, depending on your phone model. Just like screen lock, the option is usually in the Settings app, Security menu. Please note that it is recommended that you put the phone in its charger and make sure that you can go without using it for about an hour as the process is long.
5. Back up on Android
One of the things you need to do if your phone is stolen is to delete your files remotely - which we'll teach you in the next steps. However, before that you need to back them up so you can recover them and access them on your computer.
On Android, there are a number of apps that allow you to do this backup in the cloud, including Google Drive, installed natively on most devices. Just test them and choose your favorite to keep your files safe. Click the link to see the complete list.
6. Back up to iPhone
For iPhone, the process is simpler as linking your Apple ID account and iCloud will automatically back up any files or documents you generate or receive on your device. If you do not use iCloud and prefer another method, you can also back up your iPhone or iPad through iTunes, as shown in the tutorial.
7. Delete your files on Android remotely
Now that you have backed up your device with the above tips, you are safe to delete them if necessary. To do this on Android, go back to Device Manager via the link and sign in with your Google account. Once the device location window appears, select the Clear option and confirm to erase all data from your Android.
Note: Remember that your Android will be inaccessible if you choose to erase all your data and information.
8. Delete your iPhone files remotely
You can erase your information via remote access through the Search My iPhone app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. To do so, simply open the app, choose the device you need to erase, and select Erase iPhone . The same process can be done for those who access the iCloud website to access the device remotely. Remember that, just like Android, wiping iPhone data will make the device inaccessible.
9. Enable 2-Step Authentication in Your Apps
Most applications that have sensitive information have a security process called two-step authentication. This option causes a user to offer one more password to access the profile. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox have this security measure. Learn how to enable it in WhatsApp through the tutorial.
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Have you ever stolen your phone and had to do any of these?
Losing an object as personal as a smartphone is a nuisance, especially when we have a crime involved. Therefore, it is essential that you are prepared to prevent personal and intimate documents and photos from getting into the hands of malicious people. Have you had to do any of these procedures because you had a stolen cell phone? What more would you recommend? Comment with us!
