Mobile phone stolent - way to block handset / what have you learnt

Janeyb999

Hi all,

When you have your mobile phone stolen, you're often unprepared and it makes you think very differently about things.

I've just had mine stolen, and whilst i've immediately got on to things, blocked the sim, disabled apps and changed passwords etc., that still doesn't stop the phone actually being accessed (which I know mine has), and personal information seen and accessed.

A couple of questions...

1. Is there a way to get the actual phone blocked (i'm with GiffGaff)?
2. For anyone who has been through this before, what did you do differently, i.e. is there a way to pay to be able to disable your handset (should this ever happen again, or did you store your photo's / personal info differently? 
3. As above - I had a lot of apps, which even with a blocked sim can still be accessed if the phone is linked to Wifi. If you're abroad these an be difficult to sort out, e.g. Ebay, Amazon etc. Have you done anything differently with apps to make this easier in the future should this happen again?

Thanks all

wongataa

Both Apple and Android phones have ways to remotely locate the phone and remotely wipe it/lock it.  Google find my phone and you will see links to the Apple and Android services.

Of course you should be hoping that anyone who has stolen your phone cannot guess your passcode to access anything on it before you get a chance to wipe it.

datz

Janeyb999 said:

that still doesn't stop the phone actually being accessed (which I know mine has), and personal information seen and accessed.

Janeyb999 said:

I had a lot of apps, which even with a blocked sim can still be accessed if the phone is linked to Wifi.

Not sure why this would be the case, unless the person who took it also knows your passcode (were you shoulder surfed inputting your device pin?).

Some advice:

• Use biometric authentication as an extra layer where you can
• Ensure no one can see you enter your device (or app) pins if you are prompted to do so (especially for more sensitive apps)
• Use different pins for your device and app(s).
• Enable the pin on your SIM(s) and change it from the default (stops them moving it to a different device to gain access to 2fa codes).
• Make sure you restrict the notification preview option on your lock screen (so 2fa codes can't be seen without authentication).
• Enable any option to automatically wipe the device if a certain number of incorrect pin attempts are exceeded
• Enable any tracking (e.g. 'Find My') features (and potentially remote wipe)
• Limit the number of sensitive apps - are all apps needed?
  
• Other than that, just basic common sense security precautions