They say you never really forget the one that got away. I hope they’re wrong. However, if it’s anything like losing a phone to theft, then I’m in trouble because I’m nowhere close to forgetting the phone that was stolen from me.
It was a lovely black Samsung Galaxy S. Yes, the OG, the very first Galaxy S device. Some bastard nicked it while it was charging in my bedroom. The nerve.
As long as there are humans on earth, thieving will be a part of life. So, it’s great to see Google (the makers of the Android we all love) taking steps to help us locate stolen phones or, at the very least, ensure our private stuff isn’t part of the spoils.
Theft detection lock
This was announced a few months ago but is now rolling out. Some beta testers are getting it, and it should make its way to all phones running Android 10 or above in due time.
Android will automatically lock the screen if it thinks someone’s trying to steal it, whether they’re running, biking, or driving away. This is powered by AI.
There are still some details we don’t know, but Google says the AI uses your phone’s gyroscope and accelerometer to detect common motions associated with theft. If the tool detects those motions, it immediately locks your phone screen.
Plus, it’ll lock up if it notices any suspicious activity, like someone trying to disconnect it or failing to log in too many times.
This should help ensure you don’t end up a minor celebrity in WhatsApp groups, with your private messages and pictures falling into the wrong hands.
Before, during and after theft
Google announced a number of security enhancements that should protect your data “before, during, and after a theft.”
In short, here are the new security measures:
- Making it more difficult to factory reset a phone and set it up under a new account
- Private spaces to hide sensitive apps
- The ability to mark your phone as lost on Find My Device for easier tracking
- Automatic lock for excessive failed authentication
- The ability to lock your phone if it’s offline
- Remote lock, which lets you lock your phone’s screen using just your number and a quick security challenge
Or put a different way:
- Before Theft:
- Find My Device enhancements: Easier tracking of your lost phone, including marking it as lost for increased visibility. Remember you can locate, lock, or erase your device remotely if it’s lost or stolen.
- Private spaces for sensitive apps: Hide and protect apps containing confidential information. Samsung had Private Folders and a similar feature is coming to all Android users.
- Enhanced Lock Screen Security: Google has strengthened the lock screen mechanisms, making it harder for thieves to bypass them. This includes support for stronger PINs, passwords.
- During Theft:
- Anti-theft detection tool: AI-powered automatic locking upon detection of theft-like motion (running, biking, driving).
- Automatic lock for suspicious activity: Triggers a lock after repeated disconnection attempts or failed logins.
- These are the ones we talked about above.
- After Theft:
- Difficulty factory resetting: Makes it harder for thieves to wipe and reuse your phone.
- Remote lock: Lock your phone remotely using your phone number and a security challenge.
- Lock for offline phones: Prevents unauthorized access even when the phone is not connected to the internet.
More like it
I especially love that they are making it harder to factory reset a phone and set it up under a new account. iPhones are notoriously hard to break in this manner. A factory reset doesn’t wipe the attached iCloud account. You’re still asked for those credentials even after resetting or updating the OS.
I don’t think Androids will be as fortified. We love unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs, so we really shouldn’t be surprised that it’s easier to flash new software on an Android. That completely nullifies whatever security measures you had.
So, don’t taunt thieves by walking around with your phone in your back pocket, thinking Google has solved theft.
However, take comfort in knowing you have a better chance of protecting your data after a theft.
14 comments
Looking forward to it and I hope this won’t be another useless feature.
Ndaraurirwa phone, ndi Danmore
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Bruh
Bruh yeah
It’s the personal files that hurt the most. You can replace the phone but there are captured memories you can’t get back. It’s less of a problem these days with cloud backups but the privacy breach still hurts.
It’s a 9 year old phone at this point. What do you want to update? Android 5 was the last update it got. It doesn’t get security updates anymore either.
I wonder if most of people buying the not-so-expesive phones will benefit as most, if not all of them do not have the gyrometers and accelerometers, though with Android 10 and above.
Android whaaat
They should just do the ‘self destruct if stolen /toomany attempts’ that way you cant even sell if for parts.
Most of these seem to not be about stopping your phone from being stollen but rather making it ‘unusable’ if it gets stolen and keep private data safe. Just keep your nudes on google drive or on a thumbdrive in a bank vault. It would be really unfortunate if someone could unlock bootloader install Custom recovery copy your data from recovery, then reinstall the stock ROM and give you back your device.
Anything that adds security to my phone I’m always up for it,I still remember ndayenda kumaprazi ne Sony Xperia yangu, and one of my so called friends decided to borrow it without asking.the pain I felt, the betrayal, the shouting I got from my mum and the realization that I had lost all those nude pics I had in my gallery vault of my girlfriend (UpTo now it still frickin hurts, she was a 10/10). Haa vanhu vanoba maphone vanofanira kupihwa death sentence chaiyo
Kkkkk manudes agenda baba.
10/10
Android’s new anti-theft security measures leverage advanced technologies to significantly enhance device protection. Key features include improved locking mechanisms, remote tracking, and data encryption, ensuring personal information stays secure even if the device is lost or stolen. Users now have better control, with options to remotely lock or erase their data. For those shipping to a ups ship to po box, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about security. These updates are a crucial step in protecting our digital lives and sensitive information.