Someone Call Security!

I've long been an advocate of security on electronic devices. Whether it's your main computer, or your smartphone or tablet. Some sort of security software is always the first thing I install on a new device, and that is unlikely to ever change. And I'm not talking about anti-virus or malware (although those are important also)... I'm referring to software that can help you locate your device if it is lost, or worse, stolen.

I'm not sure if I have mentioned an app called Cerberus before, but in case I haven't, let me tell you a little story. Across the pond, in the United Kingdom, on a tech centered message board called Overclockers UK, a new thread was created called "This man knows who stole my phone, can anyone help". It continued:

"Well about 3 hours ago some lovely person let themselves into my friends house and stole amongst other things my mobile phone."

The man that posted it, screenname: yak.h'cir, went on to include some additional information, such as that he had installed Cerberus and included a picture of someone taken using the Cerberus app after the phone had been stolen. Over the course of 2 days, "yak.h'cir" continued to update the forum with any new information that he had. The local police were informed but seemed to do nothing. Long story short, using the Cerberus app, yak.h'cir was able to not only get photographs of the person using his phone, but audio recordings (the members of the forum helped narrow down the language of the thief to find his nationality), video recordings, the call log, message log (which is how they got the thief's name), and using the phone's GPS... they found the address as well. It took 2 days for the police to spring into action and recover the phone, although the thief got off with only a slap on the wrist, yak.h'cir got his phone back. And that is truly an awesome outcome.

Now, the Cerberus app is free to download, but there is a one-time fee of 2.99€ ($4.08), but compare that to the cost of replacing your phone. Add that on top of the fact that your lifetime license can support up to 5 devices, and it really makes this a no-brainer. Unfortunately at this time, Cerberus is an Android only application. Apple device users will have to find something else. Luckily, iOS devices have Find My iPhone to help get your gear back.

Smartphones are stolen in huge numbers every single day and not having some sort of theft protection is not very smart. At least utilize your lockscreen. Whether you use a PIN number, or a pattern lock, it doesn't matter as long as you use it.