LBSZone - Location and Privacy

Location Technology, Privacy, & Security

  • NEWS
    • Business
    • mobile mapping
    • fleet management
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Developer
    • infographics
  • Features
    • AroundtheWeb
  • Telematics
  • Drones
  • Events
  • Blog
  • CAREERS
  • About Us
    • Partners Sites
      • GISuser
      • GeoJobsBIZ
      • LiDAR news
      • Amerisurv
    • Advertise
    • LBSzone Online Media Kit
    • Event Media Partner
    • RSS
  • SHOP
You are here: Home / Press / Privacy / Avast Experiment: What Happens to a Lost Smartphone

Avast Experiment: What Happens to a Lost Smartphone

October 28, 2015 By LBSzone

Avast “Lost” and Tracked 20 Phones In the U.S. to Find Out Where They Went

lost smartphone experiment

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–Avast Software today revealed the results of their experiment to lose and track twenty smartphones in the United States. Avast Software, maker of the world’s most-trusted PC and mobile security, today revealed the results of their experiment to lose and track twenty smartphones in the United States. Ten phones were each randomly placed in New York City and San Francisco.

“I know how it feels like to lose things – wallet or phone – so I was trying to pay it forward.”

Tweet this

Prior to dropping the devices, Avast installed three security apps on all the phones: the free Avast Anti-Theft app, Lookout Mobile Security, and Clean Master. Each phone was marked with contact information on where to return the device if found. Of the 20 devices, only four phones were returned to Avast; the others enjoyed colorful journeys.

Finders Keepers

Over a five-month period, Avast analysts used the Avast Anti-Theft app to track the lost devices and observed the following:

  • The majority of lost devices were wiped clean using the factory reset feature
  • Avast Anti-Theft was the only security app that survived the factory reset
  • One device appears to have traveled via a transatlantic cargo ship before settling in India where the phone is currently being used.
  • One device flew to the Dominican Republic
  • One device landed in a pawn shop
  • One device appears to be with a taxi driver zigzagging the streets of San Francisco

“More than 3 million phones are lost each year,” said Gagan Singh, president of mobile at Avast, “Fortunately with Avast Anti-Theft, users have the means to track and recover a lost phone – or remotely wipe the data on it if it’s not recoverable. With all the personal data we store on our phones today, it’s a good idea to have a way to either find your phone or delete the content if you lose it.”

Good Samaritans

While the majority of the lost devices continue to wander the world, four people returned the phones they found to Avast. One of the finders, Quiana W. from Brooklin, said: “I know how it feels like to lose things – wallet or phone – so I was trying to pay it forward.”

Avast Anti-Theft provides users with remote recovery options to help them recover lost or stolen devices. The free app uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks to locate lost devices. Users can also remotely lock mobile phones to prevent access to personal data and settings, and even take a “theftie” – a photo — of the person who stole the device. Avast Anti-Theft is available for free and can be downloaded here.

About Avast

Avast Software (www.avast.com), maker of the most trusted mobile and PC security in the world, protects 230 million people and businesses with its security applications. In business for over 25 years, Avast is one of the pioneers in the computer security business, with a portfolio that includes free antivirus for PC, Mac, and Android, to premium suites and services for both consumers and business. In addition to being top-ranked by consumers on popular download portals worldwide, Avast is certified by, among others, VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, OPSWAT, ICSA Labs, and West Coast Labs.

 






Related articles:

  • Public Wi-Fi Experiment Conducted Across the Globe Reveals Major Security Flaws in Wi-Fi HotspotsPublic Wi-Fi Experiment Conducted Across the Globe Reveals Major Security Flaws in Wi-Fi Hotspots
  • Apple’s ‘kill switch’ leads to a drop in phone thefts – now Google and Microsoft are going to copy itApple’s ‘kill switch’ leads to a drop in phone thefts – now Google and Microsoft are going to copy it
  • App allows users to do a background check on anyone in seconds on their phone, unlimited and freeApp allows users to do a background check on anyone in seconds on their phone, unlimited and free
  • 10 common risky behaviors that typical workers engage in 10 common risky behaviors that typical workers engage in
  • Teen Safe Announces Mobile Phone MonitoringService for ParentsTeen Safe Announces Mobile Phone MonitoringService for Parents
  • Informa Telecoms & Media Analyst comments on the Apple iPad launchInforma Telecoms & Media Analyst comments on the Apple iPad launch

Filed Under: Privacy, Research

Recent Posts

Autonomous Shuttles

Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to Develop and Deploy Autonomous Shuttles

SPOT Announces Partnership with Jeep® Jamboree USA

RoadDB Crowdsourced 3D Maps, Localization Software Meet Automaker Requirements for Automated Driving

Quuppa Intelligent Locating System™ Recognized as “Visionary” by Gartner

Neural Propulsion Systems Revolutionizes L4/L5 Autonomous Driving With Next Generation Zero Accidents Sensing Platform


shop for geogeek swag

twitter

Location Tech News

Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to Develop and Deploy Autonomous Shuttles

SPOT Announces Partnership with Jeep® Jamboree USA

RoadDB Crowdsourced 3D Maps, Localization Software Meet Automaker Requirements for Automated Driving

Quuppa Intelligent Locating System™ Recognized as “Visionary” by Gartner

Neural Propulsion Systems Revolutionizes L4/L5 Autonomous Driving With Next Generation Zero Accidents Sensing Platform

L3Harris Technologies Awarded Four Additional Payload Mission Data Units for GPS III Follow-on Contract

Cubic Awarded US Air Force Contract to Deliver P5 Combat Training System Pods

More Posts from this Category

Copyright Spatial Media LLC 2003 - 2015