‘Self destruct’ technology for lost and stolen mobile phones

New technology has been unveiled that is designed to obliterate the contents of lost or stolen mobile phones and other hand-held devices.

Dec 4, 2008
By Paul Jacques
L-R: PC Joe Swan, Sgt Thomas Neilson and Sgt Chris Smith

New technology has been unveiled that is designed to obliterate the contents of lost or stolen mobile phones and other hand-held devices.

Should a phone be lost or stolen, BackStopp Mobile, from British IT innovator Virtuity, uses the mobile’s own communications to track it down, almost anywhere in the world.

Once the device has been traced, BackStopp begins deleting all information that could prove of interest to criminals.

As soon as the data is wiped out, BackStopp creates a report detailing exactly what was erased, when, and can even pinpoint the location of the device.

As with its sister tool for laptops, BackStopp recognises that mobile devices are increasingly carrying large quantities of sensitive information, both personal and commercial. That data is very likely to appeal to a whole raft of third parties, from crooks to competitors. BackStopp is designed to ensure that a negative situation is very quickly turned positive.

The initial BackStopp Mobile release supports all devices running on the Windows Mobile operating system, which includes most devices where a business application is in use.

Development work for devices running Nokia’s Symbian operating system has started and will form the basis of the next release.

BackStopp Mobile follows Virtuity’s upgrade to its laptop location tracking and data protection application to include encryption integration, wireless and RFID integration, HR system integration, user-controlled device downtime ‘vacation holiday’ and operating system destruction.

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