MOBILE PHONE SECURITY

Can you believe that your lost handset can cost you more than just money? This indispensable multi-functional tool is undoubtedly very useful but at times if mishandled can be a real threat. Mobile phones are these days the most common equipment that can be easily located in every man’s pocket, being compact in size as compared to Laptops and Desktops they have a higher probability to get misplaced or stolen. And if this personalized gadget falls into a wrong hand you may lose out all your personal information unwillingly. We can rather say that in today’s world your Mobile Phone is your most ‘’immediate associate’’ and carry almost all your Where about like e-mails, web/search history, GPS information of where you’ve been, Facebook/Twitter account, chats, Bank account info, voicemails, videos etc. And if this, say your minicomputer is mishandled your data is sure to be an open public display. So it is very much essential to have a security added to your mobile phones.

Let’s check out some of these preventive measures that could surely prevent any leaks and serve well in terms of privacy interest:

• Never leave your phone alone not even in a locked car. A survey concludes that 50% of all mobile thefts are from vehicles. Some people also have the habit of displaying their cell phones; avoid that as it may be an open invitation to the thieves.

• Do not give a chance that your personal number gets involved into any kind of controversies. You must have noticed how teens get involved into false Bomb hoax etc this may be a mere prank for them but at they may get involved into serious criminal penalties. So avoid any kind of avenues for exploitation.

Carefully go through mobile phone manual carefully to see what security features are available for your particular handset model and how to activate them.

• Personal Identification Number (PIN) can serve as a lock to your mobile phones and can protect your phone from unauthorized usage. This secret PIN is located on the scratch panel when you first purchase your SIM card. For added security, it’s always best to change your PIN when you first obtain your SIM card. Your mobile phone manual will show you how change the PIN.

• Always lock your phone to your SIM card as this security feature minimizes the possibility of your phone being used with another SIM card or unauthorized parties. When you activate this feature in your phone there is always a prompt for a PIN number, unless you enter this personalized PIN number it won’t proceed further.

• Also maintain a habit of locking your keypad say if the mobile remains inactive for 2-3 minutes.

• Another security feature that could work is locking your SIM card. Even your SIM card has a security feature that requires a PIN to be entered each time the mobile phone is turned on. Without which calls cannot be made using your SIM (with the expectation of the emergency numbers 112 and 000). The PIN is exclusively for the SIM card only, not for the mobile phone. So if incase the SIM is put into another phone the automatic prompt for entering a PIN number would be displayed.

• While securing your phones via these PIN numbers you need to be very careful as entering an incorrect PIN number thrice would simply block your SIM and if this occurs you need Unblocking your SIM card and you may be required to obtain an unlock code or the PUK code (Personal Unblocking Key) from your mobile phone service provider and once you enter the PUK number you could easily generate a new PIN number to lock your phone number.

• Avoid storing the PIN number info in your Phone book entries.

• Keep a record of your International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Every phone has a distinct IMEI number which can be identified by the mobile phone service provider’s network. It is a 15-digit number and can be located on the back of your handset under the battery and can be found on most handsets by pressing *#06# on your phone keypad. In case of a mobile theft your mobile phone service provider may liaise with the police about a lost or stolen handset and, if found, your handset will be able to be identified by the number.

• Go for a mobile phone Insurance and incase of theft make sure you report it within 24 hours as most insurers insist on this as part of the policy terms and condition.

• Stay safe by avoiding clicks on to suspicious links through your phones supporting internet access as they may lead to hacking of personal accounts etc.

• Restrict the use of Bluetooth. Make sure that the WIFI/Bluetooth is turned off when not in use as it may invite malicious attacks from potential hackers.

• Keep your mobile phone updated to the latest versions of security upgrades.

• These are the precautions but what if accidently you miss out your Mobile phone?

Check out the immediate action to be undertaken:

• Immediately report the loss to the service provider so that your SIM card is blocked. Make sure you keep a note of the customer service executive you spoke to as well the request/complaint number that would be given to you by the representative.

• Now the next thing you must do is report this theft to the nearest police station and complete those formalities. Often people think that filing a case to the police won’t help you to get your cell phone so it’s useless but that’s not the only point, if you file a complaint you would be having a legal record of your missing phone.

• In case if the phone is insured report this to the insurance company as well generally they have certain time restrictions like within 24Hrs.

• When you miss out your phone it’s a Big Deal. No matter how cheap or how expensive the phone may be make sure you take these important steps and avoid further happenings.

STEPS THAT CAN HELP YOU TO RETRIEVE YOUR CELL-PHONE

• Knowing your IMEI could help a lot in finding the location of your cell phone. The IMEI number assumes importance because thieves and unauthorized users have become clever enough not to use the same SIM or service provider. While it is possible for each service provider to track the transactions of its subscribers, tracking becomes complicated when the networks are changed.

• If your Mobile phone is equipped with a cell phone tracker this feature may help you to detect the location up to an extent.

• You may also use the Goggle mobile phone locater

• In FIR request Police Department to issue the instructions/orders to all service providers to track that IMEI and block that.

Well hope this blog helps you in keeping your cell phone or can say your precious personal info gadget safe and secure. Do write your comments supporting the Blog and also stories if you’ve been lucky enough to get back your lost cell phones this will surely boost up the confidence of others struggling hard to get back their lost mobile phones.