Techsurvivors

Welcome to Techsurvivors => Tech => Topic started by: jcarter on April 11, 2012, 09:59:09 AM

Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: jcarter on April 11, 2012, 09:59:09 AM
Just read in today's paper that soon there will be a way that when a phone is reported stolen that the company will render it inoperable. It cannot work once they de-activate it.
I havent read all the info on this, but it seems like a good idea. There are some car-breakins around here and seems its mostly cell phones that are taken(GPS units too).

And my neighbour who teaches graphic arts at our local high school just had one of her students swipe her new iPhone right off the desk when the kids were filing out to the next class.
If this gets put thru, anybody who has this happen, would call ATT right away and they would deactivate that phone, and it could not be used nor sold nor traded in.
Im not sure how these kids fence the phones, but thousands are stolen every day, not here, but other larger towns.

Jane
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: Xairbusdriver on April 11, 2012, 10:48:06 AM
I think this is already possible with most smart phones. Most of them have a service similar to "Find my iPhone" that allows you to delete everything on the phone. dntknw.gif
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: Highmac on April 11, 2012, 11:49:48 AM
All about IMEI (every phone in the world, apparently, has a unique number) and mobile phone protection. Find the IMEI number of your device and it helps your provider to block its use if it is stolen.
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: jcarter on April 11, 2012, 11:50:08 AM
I havent put "find my phone" on mine yet, do I need a newish one? Mine is 3 years old.
Jane

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1267?viewloc...mp;locale=en_US
How to find that info on our iPhones.
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: Xairbusdriver on April 11, 2012, 05:43:32 PM
It appears that the IMEI is mainly to stop/block the use of the phone as a calling device. It may not have any benefits to protect the users data. That's more important to me than keeping someone from making expensive calls that I would demand removal from my bill, anyway. That's never been much of a hassle either. At least AT&T has always accepted my word that I didn't make a particular call.

The more important capability, to me, anyway, is to be able to delete anything and everything on my phone if it is ever stolen. That's one of the features of the old "Find my iPhone". But that worked through DotMac and MobileMe. I'm not sure it still works with iCloud even if I had an iOS 5 capable iPhone. dntknw.gif
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: jcarter on April 11, 2012, 07:01:36 PM
That is what I am wondering, my iPhone is 3 years old, Ive upgraded its software as far as it can go.
My Macs are running Snow Lep, so iCloud is not available for me,,,,,yet.
But Im leery of Lion, as I have older software which I dont want to give up.
Its a bit confusing, but with the unique and bright cover on my iPhone and the fact that it doesnt leave my zippered pocket when out of the house, Im hoping I just dont lose it.
Feel bad for my friend having a student grab hers.
Jane
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: Xairbusdriver on April 11, 2012, 07:40:34 PM
Sounds like a plan; "Don't let your phone be stolen." thumbup.gif smile.gif
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: Paddy on April 11, 2012, 09:12:02 PM
IMEI has absolutely nothing to do with the data on the phone (or the SIM card, for that matter) - the intent of the carrier database is simply to make theft of mobile phones a far less attractive crime. As it stands now, none of the major carriers here or in the US do anything other than block the SIM card/cancel the service on stolen and lost phones. Theft of iPhones (in particular) is a daily occurrence in many cities - and teenagers get held up for theirs - in Toronto, by other teenagers, usually.

While the IMEI registry appears to be a good idea, I won't be surprised if the crooks will quickly figure out a way to reprogram the IMEI numbers. dry.gif

Meanwhile, Toronto's Chief of Police shows his complete lack of understanding of the database, IMEI etc. rolleyes.gif
Title: stolen cell phones rendered dead
Post by: jcarter on April 12, 2012, 06:50:01 AM
The way they get stolen around here is people leave them in cars, but its really rather rare, so far.
My grandson takes his to school, no problem so far. But we are just a small town.

I just keep mine in my pocket in the grocery store, unless I get a call or something, but I dont walk around and surf the web on it, except walking down our little back roads, though I see people walking around in the city completely absorbed in their screens and not even watching where they are walking.
Maybe they need a service dog for when they are looking at their phones?