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Beware, Thief Can Steal Following Data From Stolen Phone or Laptop

Computers and mobiles are one main device that contains most of our important privacy data. We store all the important data, photos, appointments dates, office details, bank details and much more in them. For privacy, we lock the device with a security code. Though we know that hackers can easily break the security and enter into the device, but still we update privacy data in them.

An outsider knowing personal details or important data can be a problem to us. In occasions like a phone or your laptop being stolen by someone, how would you react? You would take slow steps by imagining that the device is under security password and the thief can do nothing with it? You are in a wrong state of mind. Thieves steal phones and laptops not just to sell them or use it for their own need, but they steal these devices to obtain important data and use it in a very vital way. They don’t just take a check on the folders and files with images or videos.


The stealer can actually go deep down into your device to get the in-depth data that are stored in. As users of mobiles and laptops each one of us should be aware of these facts because different devices have different security methods. To know more on what are the details the thief can actually grab from devices, read ahead.

What Data You Will Lose If Your Phone/Laptop Gets Stolen

Talking about stolen mobiles and laptops reminds me of a story of my friend. This can actually be a useful one for you. My friend, who walks with a laptop on his shoulders everyday for work, forgot it in a restaurant one day. When he ran back to check for it, it was not there. He came to me not much tensed, said what has actually happened and how he has given a complain regarding the matter.

He thought his data are safe as it is password protected. When I explained him the real situation of how the computer can be accessed to get all the data from it, he was hell shocked as it contained all the important details of his office work. This is one possible incident that most of us have faced or a fact to consider about. Because we never know what tomorrow would bring. It is always better to know what to take care of when a laptop or a mobile is stolen before things get worse.
This tutorial will help you know all the possible details in different models and devices.

In an iPhone

An iPhone that has the high secure quality among all, got the ability to encrypt it with a pass code or fingerprint security that cannot be unlocked without your access. But for your unfortunate, if you have not encrypted it with any security code, you can still use the “find my device” feature that can help you block the device and remove all the information in it wirelessly. Another method the thief can use is by using the notification bar that will pop up even when the phone is locked and then they can access your accounts that are linked with the phone number as the OTP can be accessed.


Android Devices

In an android stolen phone, even if the device is encrypted, all the notification and certain lock screen data can be easily accessed but the data inside it cannot be accessed if the phone is locked. The ‘find my device’ feature can help remove all the data from and android phone with a command.


The Laptop and Computer 

In a laptop or a computer the data can be accessed from the hard disk and from inside the storage, unless the hard disk in encrypted with a password. If not for the security code then all the important data from the HDD can be easily accessed. So make sure to encrypt all the data.


The iPhone and android device cannot be easily accessed but computers or laptops have more risks of being in danger. Taking possible precautions will help you from falling into any risks. So let us check on a few points that can be done as a precaution before our laptop and smartphone gets stolen or lost.


Precautions To Take Before Your Laptop Gets Stolen

Use A Login Password

It is always important to have a login password setup in your laptop for the safety of all the data you have stored inside. Doing so, will also not allow unauthorized people logging into your laptop when you are not around. When you setup a password, make sure it is a strong one that no one else can easily guess it. Use alphabets, numbers and also symbols, so that it will not be easy to crack through your PC.


Never Save The Passwords

It is quiet normal to think that having all your social media and other such personal account password saved in your laptop would be great to have an easy access to them, but remember in case when someone else has to meddle it in any possible time, even if it is stolen by someone, they will find it easy to use your account and do whatever they want. Especially, do not save passwords of your online bank accounts, mail or any such sensitive accounts. This will also save you from malware or hackers.


Encrypt Your Computer File

You can encrypt your PC files and the windows OS with the built-in Bitlocker Drive Encryption, which is a security feature introduced in the Windows Vista. When you encrypt your files with the Bitlocker it will protect the volume with a pin or a key stored on a USB flash disk. What happens normally is, when the thief finds out there is a password included in your laptop, then they would remove the hard drive and insert it into another PC using a USB port and try to grab all the data, but Bitlocker will act faster and request the correct password to unlock the drive.


Backup Files

It will not be easy to accept the fact that you lost all your important files and data along with your lost laptop right? We will have saved so many important data in our PC, we will also have too many pictures and videos that would be beautiful memories. So in that case you should make sure to backup your files on the cloud and on external hard drives as a safety precaution. There are many backup apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive to have a hassle free online storage service.


Install An Anti-Theft Or Laptop Tracking Software

When you have anti-theft and laptop tracking software or hardware in your PC it would be the best precautionary step that you can have in your laptop. There are many apps such as Prey which is a tracking software that has the ability to locate your laptop when it is connected to an internet connection. There are many other features in the premium service such as wiping off your hardware remotely.


Precautions To Take Before Your Smartphone Gets Stolen

Get To Know Your Smartphone

We all know our phones well with all the tiny detail of it such as the size, color including the operating system, but the most important thing to know and note down is the IMEI number of your smartphone. This number is what will help you to track and find your phone in case it gets lost.


To find the unique IMEI number of your phone, in your keypad type *#06# and enter it to get the number. You can also find the IMEI number inside your phone, to find it turn off your device, remove the phone battery and check the empty battery slot for it. 

Set A Lock Screen Pin Code

When you setup a pin code or pattern lock to your lock screen, no one will be able to enter into your device easily without knowing the password. That is why you should definitely have a lock screen pin code. So when someone gets your phone in their hand they will still not be able to access your phone data without the code.


Backup Your Data

It is always a good idea to have all your data backed up, so that in any case you will not lose them. There are many apps and procedures that you can follow to backup your files, medias and all. To backup files in your new Android you have to sign in with your email address and allow the syncing of data in the settings.


Google will then backup your contacts to the email account in the cloud automatically.  It will also backup your calendar appointments, emails with the Gmail app, chats in the hangout, photos and all. The same process goes to the Apple iPhone and windows too.

Install Anti-Theft Phone Apps

Having an anti-theft app in your phone will be very useful when your phone goes missing. All most all the phone comes with an inbuilt anti theft app which can be used to track your lost phone. In Android using the Google's Android Device Manager will help you track the location of your phone using another android phone.


All that you have to do is, sign in with your details in another Android and track the lost phone. If you can't find another android phone then you can do the same from the web interface. In Windows phone, you can do so from the 'Find my phone' option from the settings. Apple phone users have to sign into your icloud account and use the 'Find my iphone' app to find your device. 

All the details provided above are for the goodness of all the iPhone, android and PC users. Securing your own device from being accessed in cases of theft is in your hands. Hope you got some important information from this article. Stay safe and secure your devices.