[android] Stolen Phone - What to do?

[RabbieBurns]

I had my brand new Samsung Galaxy S5 nicked on my very last day in Rio.

 

Was my last day and I ventured out without my safety bely and got pickpocketed. More gutted about all the photos I lost, but anyway.

 

I was only using Wifi and its locked by thumbprint. Ive checked the Android Device Manager and it hasnt been online since I last used it, Ive removed it as an authorised device for facebook and my bank app, but is there anything else I need to do?

 

Im thinking that they will probably just re-flash it to get it back to factory settings? But if they plug it in via USB they will be able to browse all the data - should I change my google play password ?

[featured_spectre]

yes change google password, doesn't take much to get the password from the files stored even after a reflash.

[abillybob]

Do you have your phone rooted? I install Avast Anti Thief on mine, takes a picture of the person, their location and tells me if a new sims card is in, it keeps running even if the phone has been wiped and it's in a hidden holder on the android filesystem that can't be deleted (this all requires root though).

 

Apart from that the Samsung galaxy S5 comes with samsungs phone tracking service this may help you retrieve the phone...?

 

I would change all your passwords, FaceBook, Google Play anything that could have been compromised.

[RabbieBurns]

It hasnt been online since it was nicked. I had McAffee Wavesecure which does all of that but the subscription expired about a week before it was stolen ;/

 

Wasnt rooted.

[RabbieBurns]

And I didnt set up a samsung account

[RabbieBurns]

just checked Andoid manager again and it shows it was Last online 6 July 2014

[Arthur]

I had McAfee Wavesecure which does all of that but the subscription expired about a week before it was stolen

Perhaps an app like Cerberus would be better since it costs €3 for a lifetime license that covers five Android devices.

[abillybob]

Ah gutted buddy sorry can't help. In future Id really recommend Avast Anti-Theft and rooting your phone, it's saved me twice before! For now change your password on all accounts associated with your phone and first thing to do is contact the network you're on so they can blacklist the phone making it useless.

[Arthur]

just checked Android manager again and it shows it was Last online 6 July 2014

Could you remotely wipe it?

[RabbieBurns]

Could you remotely wipe it?

 

Ive tried that but it hadnt been enabled so the only option I get is to turn it on

[mac_shinobi]

Call the network provider to lock / block the handset , if you have any insurance on the handset from your bank or that you setup before using the handset then claim on the insurance

 

Report to the police so you get a crime reference number which you may need to claim on the insurance etc etc

[MYK-IT]

Yes, change Android Password ASAP and activate 2 factor authentication as well. In fact, change all passwords that were associated/linked to your mobile, including services accessed via browser (in case credentials were cached, saved). Report IMEI number so that it can be blocked (although this isn't effective worldwide)

 

Your photos/files stored on the mobile would be safe 'IF' you had already activated encryption? (this would force a pin/code lock on your mobile)

 

If you have exchange/Office 365 configured on it (if your school uses it?) you also can remotely wipe your device (mobile)

 

A bit late now, But Sophos Mobile App is totally free and can be used to remotely track/trace as well as locking downing apps and internet filtering https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sophos.smsec

 

Of course if, by now, they have restored your phone (custom firmware etc) then the phone would work for them (unless IMEI is actively being blocked, or they have ways of changing the IMEI??)

Edited July 7, 2014 by MYK-IT

[RabbieBurns]

I bought it in Dubai SIM free and it had a Telstra (aussie) sim in it which Ive since transferred to a new SIM. Not sure how i would get Brazilian Telco's to block it.

 

Ive tried to wipe it via OWA for both accounts but its been at Wipe Pending for both.

[Arthur]

Call the network provider to lock / block the handset

I think it would only get blocked in Australia. The person who stole the phone in Brazil would still be able to use it.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Arthur

[Marci]

If it had any work details on there - calendar, email etc, notify your Data Protections Officer (or whoever the equivalent is within Aus infrastructure)