Protect Your Precious and Pricey Mobile From Theft

Well, what we are discussing here is not how to whip somebody, but actually about an anti-theft and tracking application for Symbian S60 mobile phones called Phone Guardian. This software is developed by SymbianGuru. You have this on your mobile and it gets lost, the phone will be locked on a SMS command or change in SIM. Every time a new SIM is inserted, your mobile will SMS the new phone number to the two preset SOS mobile numbers in it. Not just that, it can also send back details including the Cell tower number, IMSI number and GPS coordinates (using inbuilt GPS, if any) on special commands received through SMS. With the help of all these details you can easily track your phone and possibly get it back.

Most of feature rich and Smartphones from Nokia like E-Series, N-series, XpressMusic and many other models are based on Symbian S60 platform. Samsung and LG too have many of their phones based on this platform. If you have a Nokia phone you can check if its a S60 phone on the Nokia Forum website. For other manufacturers, you can check your phone features or catalogue or at Phone Guardian site itself for list of compatible phones. Some of its unique features are:

• Remote mobile lock and unlock with lock SMS
• Method of software launch selection
• Two Alarm numbers available
• GPS tracking option available
• GPS tracking option can be turned on and off with the help of SMS message
• Phone Guardian becomes active (locks the mobile, emits the siren) when a different SIM card is inserted or on lock SMS
• Operator specific and location information is automatically sent to the number specified, including the number of SIM, IMSI and CellID numbers.
• Uninstall is possible only with the right password
• Phone lock is independent from phone restart

Once installed, you can configure the activation number, lock code, SOS numbers, alarm and other settings and it will never bother you again. Of course, it will not remind you if the SOS numbers entered go defunct. It has a low processor and memory footprint and runs in the background with no icon in application menu or in running task list. The application can be launched by dialing the unique activation number and the process is visible only by applications like Y-Tasks or Nokia Device Status (a retired beta application).

Here are some of its options:

Notice above, it also has an option to change the GPS period to save the battery power.

After it is enabled, it cannot be removed or uninstalled unless the same lock code is provided. All the SMS are sent invisibly, i.e., they are not seen in the sent items. And if the phone is locked, its firmware cannot be refreshed or reinstalled too as it requires the mobile to be unlocked and set with General profile. But of course, a dedicated and expert thief will try more options to recover the phone and if so at least you can have your data deleted by forcing him or her to flash its firmware.

Some conditions for this application to work: the new SIM should be enabled to send and receive SMS, the phone should be switched on and be within the network coverage of service provider.

I have been using this application for a long time on my Nokia E Series phone and in my opinion, is a best and excellent application in its category. Though I have not lost my mobile, I am sure it is going to help me if I lose it ever. Some features I desire to have are remote wipe of phone and card data and live location update on Google maps like Google Latitude. I hope SymbianGuru will consider in new version of there application.

Download the Phone Guardian for trial from their website and a full version will cost you just $12.99 (just around 700 Indian Rupees). Not a big price to protect your favourite mobile!

(Some images are courtesy of SymbianGuru)