Should Smartphones have a Kill Switch?

In the past, if someone was robbed, the thief usually demanded the woman’s purse, the man’s wallet and any jewelry they might have. Now most thieves have added cell phones to the list. A smart phone can be worth several hundred dollars or more, especially if it’s possible to get personal information off of it. This is why it’s very important to have a password on your cell phone. However, law officials and federal prosecutors are working to make it even more difficult to steal smart phones and the information on them by asking phone manufacturers to install a smart phone kill switch in every phone they make.

What does a Kill Switch do?

A kill switch would allow the phone carrier or manufacturer to remotely disable the smart phone if it’s reported stolen. This would make it completely useless to resell, plus it would prevent access to the information stored on the phone, including phone numbers, email addresses, passwords, and any other information you’ve saved. This kill switch would work if the phone was turned off, its SIM card taken out, or even if the hardware or software has been physically modified. The kill switch would work anywhere in the world, too, not just in the U.S.

Why Should Smart Phones have Kill Switches?

The reason the federal government has decided to push for smart phone kill switches now is because studies have shown that smart phone theft has become the fastest-growing theft in the country. Over one million smart phones and other handheld devices were stolen in 2012, and some people have actually been killed for them. This growing trend led a group of political leaders, law officials, federal officials, and others to create the Secure Our Smartphones Initiative (SOS). One of the goals of this organization is to have all smart phones released in 2014 and beyond equipped with kill switches.

What Companies are on Board?

SOS Initiative members have already held talks with major cell phone manufacturers. Apple has promised to include a new Activation Lock device on the iPhone 5, while Samsung has pledged to include a similar kill switch on the Galaxy S4. Both of these features will be put through thorough testing to see if it’s possible to get around the kill switch security measures. SOS members have also met with Google and Microsoft about including similar smart phone kill switch options.

Why Stolen Smart Phones are Dangerous

Once a thief has access to your smart phone, there are a number of things he can do. First, he has access to all of your contacts, including their phone numbers and possibly their emails. He can use this information to phish them, possibly stealing their identities, too. If you’ve saved any of your passwords, he will be able to get into those accounts. For example, he may be able to log in to your Amazon.com app and make a number of purchases on your saved credit card, or he might read your emails. Since he has access to your email, he can even request a new password for some of your accounts and lock you out of them. Even thieves who just want the phone to resell may pass your SIM card and the information on it to someone else.

How to Protect your Smart Phones Now

While the kill switches won’t appear until early 2014, there are some things you can do to protect your smart phone now. First, password protects it so it’s impossible for someone to simply pick up your phone and access your information. Second, avoid saving any sensitive information on the device, including allowing apps to save your passwords. Finally, look into installing mobile antivirus programs. Many of these are free to install.

Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of writing articles on identity theft and advising people how to identify the theft signs and prevent identity theft. Follow her on Twitter to know more on new Smartphone kill switches protect against ID Theft.