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Our mobiles increasingly help run our lives - from Messaging & Email, Address Book, Calendar and Online Banking to even Contactless Payment.
The risk of your mobile being stolen, when shopping or walking down the street, is a real possibility.
In the event of loss or theft, it's your Identity and Personal Data that is at risk - not just having to replace the phone itself.
How your mobile is configured can make a real difference to the level of disruption and stress.
1. The 'Must Do' Protective Steps ?
- Ensure your mobile is being automatically Backed-up to iCloud (iPhone) or your Android equivalent e.g. Google One or Samsung Drive
- Enable the phone Screen Lock with a 6-digit PIN or, preferably, biometrics like your fingerprint and/or facial recognition
- Set the Time-out on this Screen Lock to be 5 or 10 seconds (the time before the screen Locks)
- Put a PIN Code on your SIM Card or move to an eSIM (a non-physical SIM Card with the same mobile phone number)
- Enable Stolen Device Protection (iPhone) & Theft Detection Lock (Android) in the event your mobile is snatched and the thief speeds away. Also enable 'Offline Device Lock' on Android
- Enable 'Find My' on your Apple or Android device
- Set-up a 2 Factor Authentication App (2-FA); and use this instead of Text Messaging to receive a Code to log-on to Apps such as Amazon or PayPal
- Use a Password Manager rather than keeping unencrypted passwords in your Notes (iPhone) or Keep (Android) App or Contact List
- Lock-down specific Apps - for example, Banking & Financial Services - using Biometric Security (iPhone iOS 18) or BitDefender Mobile (Android)
- Block use of the USB (charging) Connector for 'Other Connections' when the phone is Locked
- Know both the IMEI and Serial Number(s) of your mobile !
2. Lost or Stolen Mobile - What Do I Need to Do ?
- Try Calling your phone as it may be out of sight at your home !
- Log-in to 'Find My' (www.iCloud.com/find or www.google.com/android/find/ ) and click 'Erase' (iPhone) or 'Factory Reset' (Android)
- Contact your Airtime Provider e.g. Vodafone, EE etc. - ask them to a) Block your SIM and b) send you a Replacement SIM
- Change the Passwords for all your Frequently Used Apps e.g. Apple ID, Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Amazon, eBay etc. etc.
- Check your most Frequently Used Apps for Suspicious Activity e.g. Banking & Financial Services
- Report the Theft to the Police to obtain a Crime Reference Number
- Make an Insurance Claim for a replacement Phone
HTS are happy to answer any Questions, help you increase the secure of your mobile or set-up a replacement phone.
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