Mobile phone theft on the rise – here’s how to protect your data for free

Research released today has revealed that the theft of mobile phones is on the rise.

According to research done by British insurance firm LV=, the number of phones stolen annually has risen 25 per cent in the last three years, and is costing the UK £37 million a year. Apparently, only 1% of stolen phones are ever recovered by police.

Of course, the way this hurts you in the pocket will vary depending on how flashy your mobile phone is, and what data you keep on it. Apple iPhones and the swankiest Android smartphones can easily cost hundreds of pounds, and this makes them a more attractive target for muggers and pickpockets.

But there is a deeper risk than just the monetary value of the phone’s hardware – the data you keep on it…

Read more in my article on the Naked Security website.

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Graham Cluley •   @gcluley

Graham Cluley is a veteran of the cybersecurity industry, having worked for a number of security companies since the early 1990s when he wrote the first ever version of Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows. Now an independent analyst, he regularly makes media appearances and is an international public speaker on the topic of cybersecurity, hackers, and online privacy. Follow him on Twitter, Mastodon, Bluesky, or drop him an email.