Thieves prey on devices. Go to any office or coffee shop and you will see why it is so easy for thieves. Peruse eBay you will find out why it is so lucrative. Of course to most us it is more than just a device. It our personal data such as images, contacts, schedule, etc. Here are some ways to track your devices in case they do come up missing…
- iPhone and iPad. Apple has created a system and associated app to track your device whether it is lost or stolen. The Find My iPhone app must be pre-loaded on your device. If you do not have it installed it can be downloaded for free from the App Store. You can track your device via the app on another Apple device or via a web site.
- Android Phones and Tablets. Lookout was one of the first and most effective tools for tracking and remotely locking or wiping an Android device. The basic app is free from the Google Play store. The do offer additional backup and other protection for a fee.
- Notebook Computers. Thousands of notebook computers are stolen or come up missing every year. Lo Jack is a great solution. They do charge approximately $39.99 per year for the service. You can learn more at their web site. Just a quick note about tracking notebook computers. Most notebook computer only have WiFi access so they are only online if the thief initiates a wireless connection. They would also have to access your computer that should be password protected. Many thieves will just wipe the notebook computer and re-install the operating system before they resell it. That does render the software useless.
- Most Devices. If you prefer your protection all under one umbrella try GadgetTrack. They offer coverage for MAC’s, PC’s, Androids, and iPhones. Plans start at $3.99 per month.
The most important take away is that the data is typically much more important than the device. There are three keys to protecting the data:
- Backup – Be sure you have a second copy of all data including documents, contacts, images, etc. on a secondary device or in the cloud. There are a lot of solutions which cover many devices as well as solutions specific to certain devices.
- Remote Wipe – Only use services that offer the ability for remote wipe. Exchange or Office 365 is capable of wiping company email, contacts, and calendar data from mobile devices. Services such as LotusShare offer the ability to wipe files from mobile devices.
- Strong Password or PIN – Be sure each device is protected by a strong and unique password or device. Your birthday is not a good PIN.