Your Cell phone is not just a convenient device: it’s a treasure trove of personal information. Losing it to theft can be a nightmare, but if you take proactive steps to protect it, you can limit the damage and increase the chance of recovery. Losing any valuable possession to a thief can be traumatic but getting into a physical confrontation over that possession is life-threatening. Having a comprehensive protection plan will help keep you calm and able to prioritize your personal safety.
Here are a few Cell-Defense steps you can do today:
- Record your device’s serial number. You will need this when you file a police report. The IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identification number can be found in various places like, your phone settings, the online account, physically printed on the phone, or on the original packaging. If your phone is recovered, the authorities can easily trace it back to you.
- Use strong passwords and biometrics. This may sound obvious, but according to a recent survey, over 50% of smartphone users do not use passwords or biometrics to protect their phones. Set a strong PIN to unlock your phone and enable biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition). Fingerprint authentication is more secure than facial recognition which might be opened using a photo of your face.
- Set up automatic backups. As painful and costly as it is to lose the device, losing your photos, videos and contact content can be more heartbreaking. Both Google and Appleoffer automatic backup features that make it easy to recover just about everything on your phone.
- Activate a phone finder app. There are many options for finding a missing phone and they may come preinstalled on your phone, but you must take the time to activate and learn how to use it before something happens. Many provide a lock and erase feature which adds an extra layer of security if the phone is stolen. Some of the more common ones are: Google’s Find My Device, Apple Find My Phone, and Samsung Find My Mobile. If the phone is on, you can track where it is. It is important not to confront someone who has stolen your phone, which can lead to a potentially deadly encounter. Give your tracking information to the police and let them retrieve it. You may consider installing an additional anti-theft app which can take photos or record data along with remotely wiping data.
- Guard your gear. At COBRA we stress training, awareness, and threat recognition as the best ways to protect yourself. The same holds true when protecting your possessions. Don’t leave your phone unattended and be discreet when using it in crowded areas. Don’t carry your phone in easy to access places such as a back pocket or an exterior purse or backpack flap. If you leave your phone in your car, carefully conceal it from view. And giving your phone to young children in public makes it as easy to steal as taking candy from a baby.
By following these proactive tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of your cell phone being stolen and mitigate the damage if it is. Stay vigilant and prioritize your phone’s security to keep it safe.