{"id":17639,"date":"2024-08-08T05:15:31","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T12:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mcafee.com\/?p=17639"},"modified":"2024-08-12T10:07:02","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T17:07:02","slug":"what-are-the-risks-of-a-lost-or-stolen-mobile-device","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/mobile-security\/what-are-the-risks-of-a-lost-or-stolen-mobile-device\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should I do If My Phone Gets Stolen or Lost?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before your phone gets lost or stolen, put some basic steps in place.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to act quickly, so preparation is everything. With the right measures, you can find it, recover it, or even erase it if needed. These steps can get you set up so you can do exactly that.<\/p>\n

Ways to protect your smartphone from loss or theft<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lock your phone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Locking your phone is one of the most basic smartphone security measures you can take. Trouble is, few of us do it. Our recent global research showed that only 56% of adults said that they protect their smartphone with a password, passcode, or other form of lock.[i]<\/a> In effect, an unlocked phone is an open book to anyone who finds or steals a phone<\/p>\n

Setting up a lock screen is easy. It\u2019s a simple feature found on iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a> devices. iPhones and Androids have an auto-lock feature that locks your phone after a certain period of inactivity. Keep this time on the low end, one minute or less, to help prevent unauthorized access.<\/p>\n

We suggest using a six-digit PIN or passcode rather than using a gesture to unlock your phone. They\u2019re more complex and secure. Researchers proved as much with a little \u201cshoulder surfing\u201d test. They looked at how well one group of subjects could unlock a phone after observing the way another group of subjects unlocked it.[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n

Turn on \u201cFind My Phone.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another powerful tool you have at your disposal is the Find My Phone feature made possible thanks to GPS technology. The \u201cfind my\u201d feature can help you pinpoint your phone if your lost or stolen phone has an active data or Wi-Fi connection and has its GPS location services enabled. Even if the phone gets powered down or loses connection, it can guide you to its last known location.<\/p>\n

Setting up this feature is easy. Apple offers a comprehensive web page on how to enable and use their \u201cFind My\u201d feature for phones<\/a> (and other devices too). Android users can get a step-by-step walkthrough<\/a> on Google\u2019s Android support page as well.<\/p>\n

Back up your stuff in the cloud.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to cloud storage, you might be able to recover your photos, files, apps, notes, contact info, and more if your phone is lost or stolen. Android owners can learn how to set up cloud backup with Google Drive here<\/a>, and iPhone users can learn the same for iCloud here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Write down your phone\u2019s unique ID number.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are a couple of acronyms. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier) are two types of unique ID numbers assigned to smartphones. Find yours and write it down. In case of loss or theft, your mobile carrier, police department, or insurance provider might ask for the info to assist in its return or reimbursement for loss.<\/p>\n