Protect the business and data if your phone is lost or stolen

Whether you use your business smartphone, personal reasons or both, it probably bears sensitive information, such as customer data, financial details and access to critical applications. Her loss – or to be stolen – it’s not just uncomfortable; Can put your entire business in danger.

If it is -the emails, files, photos and accreditations for the key accounts end in the wrong hands, it could lead to data violations (exposure of the client’s sensitive information), financial losses (attackers access payment applications or accounts), time stopping for business caused by the loss of loss of access to vital systems and scams aimed at loved ones, attackers who send phishing links, false messages, extension attempts and even identity thefts.

Did you know?

• In 2023, about 1.4 million mobile phones stolen in the US were reported.
• London registered a 150% increase in street thefts, 78,000 reported phones stolen from September 2023 and September 2024. The city registered a theft rate of 589 phones per 100,000 residents in 2023, which does it bigger in Europe.

(Sources: Crisis24 and The Times & The Sunday Times)

Related: Should small businesses get cyber insurance?

How to protect your smartphone against theft

1. Disable access to settings when blocked

One of the first things I could do a thief is to switch your phone in the plane mode, preventing it from turning it away. To counteract this, you can stop them from accessing the control center on the lock screen. This will keep your device pursued for longer, increasing the chances of recovery. Many thieves are likely to abandon a phone that they cannot quickly disconnect.

How to: Du -te to Settings> Face ID and access code and stop Control center Under “allow access when blocked.”

2. Use a powerful parish and biometry to block screen

The lock screen of your phone is its first defense. Reinforce it by:

• Setting up one Strong access code with a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols. Avoid simple combinations such as “1234” or birth year.
• USING Biometric characteristics as digital fingerprints or facial recognition for quick and safe access.
• Its setting to lock after 30 seconds to reduce the windows that thieves have to access the unlocked phone.

3. Install mobile protection on it

A reliable security solution, such as Bitdefender Mobile Protection, can protect your phone against threats. It protects your data with detection of real -time threats and web protection. Its anti-theft function allows you to lock remotely or wipe the phone if stolen, making sure your sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.

4. Plan -before if your phone is the 2FA key

Authentication with two factors (2Fa) is excellent for security, but it can be difficult to enter your accounts if your phone is lost. Here’s how to prepare:

• The backup of your 2Fa codes: Print the unique spare codes provided by your authentication application and store them safely, or save them in a encrypted storage password manager.
• Use an authentication app with a cloud backup: Switch to applications that synchronize 2FA data on devices for easy recovery.
• Record a spare device: Add a second device, such as a tablet or backup phone as an advance to access accounts.
• Prepare -va for emergencies: Familiarize with the account recovery processes and keep a recovery kit, including printed spare codes and instructions to regain access.

5. Save -The IMEI number

Your IMEI number is the unique identifier of your phone, and it has it at hand is crucial if your phone is stolen. You can find it by going to Settings> General> About. Once located, make a note of this and store it safely -terrible in a password manager or in your business documentation, somewhere separately from your phone.

6. Data backup copy

Save important files in the cloud instead of relying on a single device. Backup regularly everything – photos, contacts, messages and critical documents – to make sure your information is safe. While a phone can be replaced, your data and customer information cannot.

Consistent reserve children transform a stolen phone from a potential disaster into a manageable disadvantage. With your data stored safely in the cloud, you can quickly transfer it to a new device by minimizing your stopping time and keeping your business without any problems.

7. Use two separate phones

An effective strategy to reduce the risk of exposing all your data if a device is stolen is to use two separate phones: one for personal use and one for work. This approach not only improves your data security, but also assures you can remain connected while dealing with the situation.

8. Activate anti-ground features

Enable incorporated anti -theft tools on your phone like The protection of the stolen device on the iPhone or Find me the mobile on Samsung devices. These features allow you:

• follow Location of your phone.
• Lock the remote device to prevent access.
• Delete sensitive data to protect your information.

Related: What do you have to do if the scams have your phone number

How to start the stolen device protection on the iPhone and Samsung smartphones

Both Apple and Samsung offer features designed to protect your device and data if stolen. Here’s how to activate them.

For iPhone: Stolen device protection

1. Update the iPhone: Make sure your phone is running iOS 17.3 or later.
   • Du -te to Settings> General> Software Update and download the latest version, if needed.
2. Open settings: Find and touch settings App on the starting screen.
3. Go to the front ID and the passage code: Scroll down and select The front ID and the access code.
   • Enter the access code for the device to access this section.
4. Find the stolen protection of the device: Locate The protection of the stolen device option.
5. Switch it: Swipe switch to activate the function. Confirm the use of the ID do or touch the ID if you are prompted.

Once activated, the function will let you know if your phone is taken to an unknown location. Sensitive actions such as resetting the access code or changing Apple ID will require biometric authentication.

For Samsung: Find my mobile and safe blockage

1. Update the phone: Make sure your phone is running the latest version of a UI.
   • Du -te to Settings> Software update> Download and install.
2. Enable to find my mobile:
   • Open settings and navigate to Biometry and security.

• Tap Find me the mobile and connect with your Samsung account.

• Enable options like Remote unlock, Send your last locationand Offline finding.

Set up safe lock settings:

• In settingsdu -te to Lock screen and select Safe Lock Settings.

• Enable options like Automatic lock after the screen stops and Locking and Security network.

Activate biometric authentication:

• Du -te to Biometry and security and configured Face recognition or Fingerprint scanner.

These features ensure that your phone is protected even if stolen, with distance management options to track, block or delete the device.

Would you like to level your security for small businesses?

Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security has covered. Here’s what it offers:

• Protection of deception and fraud: Blocks the Phishing Tests and E -False Moys that could steal your account credentials.
• Digital identity protection: Monitor your business information to warn you about potential violations.
• VPN for safe connections: Protect your data when you access your account on public Wi-Fi.
• Detecting the scam fed by AI: Identify and prevent fraud before having an impact on your business.
• Password manager: Simplify account security with strong and unique passwords for all your authentications.
• The best protection in class for each device in your business. Macos, iOS, Android, Windows and Windows Server systems.

See the plans, Here.

Frequent questions

What should I do if I lose my smartphone?

Use your phone incorporated. Anti-type instrumentsthat Find -my iPhone For Apple or Apple devices Find me the mobile For Samsung. These tools allow you to track, block or even delete your phone remote to prevent unauthorized access.

Next, Announce your service provider To suspend your phone number. This prevents anyone from using your number for calls, texts or two -factor authentication codes.

C.Hang Passwords For important accounts related to your phone, such as E -Email, Banking Services, or business applications, to block unauthorized access. To change your passwords, connect to each account of a reliable device, go to the Security Settings and select the option to change your password. Make sure you choose a strong, unique password for each account.

If your phone contains sensitive business data, Alert the team so they can monitor suspicious activities or unauthorized access to shared accounts and platforms.

What can thieves do with my phone?

When a thief has access to your phone, potential damages far exceed the loss of the device. They could be able to be capable Go to sensitive datasuch as E -Emails, contacts, financial details and business applications, which can lead to serious violations of privacy and security.

Through payment applications or linked bank accounts, thieves can steal money direct. In addition, if your phone has stored passwords or automatic authentication, they can Compromise the accountsGetting access to platforms such as E -mail, cloud media storage.

Thieves can also use the phone for Perform scamsSending phishing messages to your contacts or you are required to request money. They can Sell ​​-your personal and business data On the dark web, exposing it to the identitygate and subsequent exploitation.

In some cases thieves may even Reset the accountschanging passwords and blocking from their own accounts.

How can I prevent loss of access to 2FA codes if my phone is lost?

Losing access to two factors authentication (2FA) can make it difficult to recover your accounts, so prepare in advance. Start beside The printing of the spare codes provided by your authentication app when setting up 2FA or switching to an authentication app that accepts Backup in the cloudAnd synchronize the credentials 2Fa on the devices, allowing you to recover your codes, even if your phone is lost.

Finally, register -you a secondary devicesuch as a spare tablet or phone as an additional 2Fa option. This assures you that you can access your accounts if your main device is not available, offering a reliable backup plan.