How to protect your cell phone in case of theft or loss? Cell phones have become the preferred targets of criminals.
With possession of the devices, criminals access banking apps, credit card data, among other sensitive information, making transfers, online purchases, and requesting loans, etc.
To talk about this and teach people how to protect their cell phone data in case of theft or loss, Marcelo Naggy participated in the program Encontro com Fátima Bernardes, from Rede Globo, on July 7, 2021.
Want to learn more about the subject? Then check out this article on the blog about how to protect your cell phone data in case of loss or theft.
How to protect your cell phone in case of theft or loss?
Today, we carry our lives in our pockets. In addition to our contact list, smartphones store photos, various documents, routes used in GPS apps, email apps, access to banks, among other varied information.
The truth is that no one knows you better than your cell phone.
But while technology makes our lives easier – currently, more than half of the country’s banking transactions occur via smartphone apps –, it is necessary to double down on security measures for the devices.
If your cell phone falls into the wrong hands, the losses can be enormous. In addition to bank transfers and online purchases using your credit card, with your data, criminals can request loans, open accounts in digital banks in your name, etc.
Keep reading this article to learn how to protect your data, and your wallet, in case of loss or theft of your smartphone and avoid being another victim of scammers.
Protecting cell phone data in case of loss or theft
The covid-19 pandemic accelerated the digitalization of the economy. The increase in online money circulation also attracted the attention of criminals, who saw in cell phone thefts and digital scams a valuable and profitable source of resources.
If previously criminals stole devices aiming for sale, targeting more expensive devices, today the brand and model of the smartphone are of little importance. The value is in the stored information and installed apps.
Even losing your cell phone can present risks, after all, we do not know who will find it and what their intentions are.
The good news is that some simple measures, which you can take right now, will help you reduce your risks and increase the security of the device. Want to know how you can protect your cell phone data?
Then, check out this list with 4 tips to protect your cell phone data in case of loss or theft.
How to protect your cell phone in case of theft or loss in 4 steps
- Keep the screen lock activated and avoid obvious numerical sequences or those related to personal information (e.g., birthday);
- Have authentication apps that allow you to add an extra layer of security to the most sensitive points of the smartphone;
- In Android operating systems, it is possible to configure multiple profiles. You can have a profile with more sensitive apps and information to use at home or in safe places and another simpler one to use on the street;
- Limit the value of your PIX transfers. This way, you avoid suffering large losses, remembering that for changing limits, institutions request a period of 24 to 48 hours, allowing you to notify your bank about theft or loss before it is raised.
Remember that although criminals may have access to technology that overcomes security barriers, this is a time-consuming and laborious process, making the preferred targets people with devices in use and already unlocked.
Therefore, an extra tip is to avoid using the cell phone on the street or even leaving it exposed on the car dashboard – as is common for those who use GPS daily.
An unlocked device without an extra layer of security makes it much easier for criminals. In just one hour, you can suffer losses of thousands of dollars.
My cell phone was stolen, what now?
If your cell phone was stolen, the first step to take is to notify your banking institutions to avoid suffering losses.
Although there are some court decisions favorable to the reimbursement of values and the annulment of debts from loans contracted by criminals, this compensation is not always guaranteed, so get ahead and leave the police report for later.
After doing this, using a trusted person’s device, activate the location system and remotely lock the device data. This action is possible on both Android and iOS systems.
With your accounts, cards, and operating system data blocked, it’s time to request the block of your line with the carrier.
Only after taking these three measures, file a police report. Every minute makes a difference in these moments to avoid greater losses.
Want to understand better how to act at that moment? Then check out the participation of our partner, an expert in information security and digital forensic expert, Marcelo Naggy, on the program Encontro com Fátima Bernardes, from Rede Globo, on July 7, 2021, when he explained in more detail how to protect your cell phone in case of theft or loss, and what preventive measures you can take to protect your data.
You can watch Marcelo Nagy’s full participation here.
