As I frequently note, tracking and recovering stolen devices is not data security; it's asset recovery. Regardless of its actual status in the world of data security, tracking hardware is important to people (but honestly, make sure you're tracking a device that's been protected with proper mobile security tools like AlertBoot).
Veronica Henry notes at readwriteweb.com that there are various ways to find your stolen mobile phone, noting the obvious impetus for doing so: It's a big and growing problem. Recent surveys show that travelers worry more about losing their phone than their wedding ring! And the Wall Street Journal estimates that losing your phone is like losing "your wallet with $900 in cash in it, plus your address book and your bank passwords." And that doesn't even address the security risks from compromised access to personal and corporate email, passwords and other potentially sensitive data. And, Henry also quotes a statistic from a cellular phone insurance provider: Cell-phone insurance provider Asurion reports that 60 million smartphones are lost, stolen or damaged each year. In dollar terms, according to a report conducted by mobile security firm Lookout, Americans lost $30 billion dollars worth of smartphones in 2011. She links to this press release from Asurion, which oddly enough, is dated December 27, 2012...or 131 days into the future (obviously a typo). I don't think the 60 million figure is a typo, although it may have been inflated -- I can't imagine why, though; Asurion doesn't really benefit from doing so. Then again, one wonders if this figure comes directly from the insurance company. How many people do you know that have their cellphones insured? Anyhow, if you want to find out the different services (some free or freemium) that you can use to track your phone, go read the article.
Veronica Henry notes at readwriteweb.com that there are various ways to find your stolen mobile phone, noting the obvious impetus for doing so:
It's a big and growing problem. Recent surveys show that travelers worry more about losing their phone than their wedding ring! And the Wall Street Journal estimates that losing your phone is like losing "your wallet with $900 in cash in it, plus your address book and your bank passwords." And that doesn't even address the security risks from compromised access to personal and corporate email, passwords and other potentially sensitive data.
And, Henry also quotes a statistic from a cellular phone insurance provider:
Cell-phone insurance provider Asurion reports that 60 million smartphones are lost, stolen or damaged each year. In dollar terms, according to a report conducted by mobile security firm Lookout, Americans lost $30 billion dollars worth of smartphones in 2011.
She links to this press release from Asurion, which oddly enough, is dated December 27, 2012...or 131 days into the future (obviously a typo). I don't think the 60 million figure is a typo, although it may have been inflated -- I can't imagine why, though; Asurion doesn't really benefit from doing so. Then again, one wonders if this figure comes directly from the insurance company. How many people do you know that have their cellphones insured?
Anyhow, if you want to find out the different services (some free or freemium) that you can use to track your phone, go read the article.
Combine the 60 million figure with statistics that around 23% of phones will be part of the BYOD trend, and you've got 13.8 million lost, stolen, and damaged phones each year that carries corporate data. Also consider that only around half of phone users set up a password, and you've got 6.9 million phones that are lost, stolen, and damaged each year that can be accessed without any impediments that hold company secrets and data. What are the odds it won't turn into a data breach? Symantec conducted an experiment earlier this year, where they "lost" 50 phones on purpose (msnbc.com): Some 43 percent of finders clicked on an app labeled "online banking." And 53 percent clicked on a filed named "HR salaries." A file named "saved passwords" was opened by 57 percent of finders. Social networking tools and personal e-mail were checked by 60 percent. And a folder labeled "private photos" tempted 72 percent. Collectively, 89 percent of finders clicked on something they probably shouldn't have. And only 50% of the phones were returned, which justifies the need for phone tracking apps. But even more justified is the need to ensure that a smartphone and other smart devices are protected from data breaches. (Also, remember that phone tracking is not fail proof.)
Combine the 60 million figure with statistics that around 23% of phones will be part of the BYOD trend, and you've got 13.8 million lost, stolen, and damaged phones each year that carries corporate data.
Also consider that only around half of phone users set up a password, and you've got 6.9 million phones that are lost, stolen, and damaged each year that can be accessed without any impediments that hold company secrets and data. What are the odds it won't turn into a data breach?
Symantec conducted an experiment earlier this year, where they "lost" 50 phones on purpose (msnbc.com):
Some 43 percent of finders clicked on an app labeled "online banking." And 53 percent clicked on a filed named "HR salaries." A file named "saved passwords" was opened by 57 percent of finders. Social networking tools and personal e-mail were checked by 60 percent. And a folder labeled "private photos" tempted 72 percent. Collectively, 89 percent of finders clicked on something they probably shouldn't have.
Some 43 percent of finders clicked on an app labeled "online banking." And 53 percent clicked on a filed named "HR salaries." A file named "saved passwords" was opened by 57 percent of finders. Social networking tools and personal e-mail were checked by 60 percent. And a folder labeled "private photos" tempted 72 percent.
Collectively, 89 percent of finders clicked on something they probably shouldn't have.
And only 50% of the phones were returned, which justifies the need for phone tracking apps. But even more justified is the need to ensure that a smartphone and other smart devices are protected from data breaches.
(Also, remember that phone tracking is not fail proof.)
Related Articles and Sites:http://www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2012/08/the-best-ways-to-find-your-stolen-mobile-device.php