Lost Your Cell? No Worries!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever lost your mobile phone. C’mon, don’t be shy. That’s better! Don’t worry; it happens. Aside from the fact that you lost something that probably set you back a pretty penny, you’ve also probably lost your entire contact base with numbers, names, email addresses, the works. Everything that’s taken you months or years to accumulate is gone in one fell swoop. But given the scenarios these days I’m willing to bet that more than the phone, most of us would fret about losing all that data. So here a few tips on how you can prevent data loss.

Backup and Data Transfer
You have to understand that you can only back up your data on the PC provided your phone has PC connectivity. It could be via USB, Bluetooth, Infrared or Wi-Fi if the device allows for it. But backing up your data is the best thing to do as soon as you get a new mobile. If you’re moving from an older version all you need do is copy your contacts on to your SIM card so you wont have to keep sending business cards or reenter all your contact information.

Next off, connect your new phone up to your PC and do a quick backup with a PC Suite software that the company should provide. Nokia and Sony Ericsson have their own, or you could use third party software like Oxygen Phone Manager. These applications allow you to back up all your data, and this doesn’t just include your contact base and schedule but even your current settings, images, videos etc. Basically it takes care of everything that’s on your phone and memory card.

Should your phone ever get lost or stolen and you need to recover the data, it’s all safely backed up on your PC. Since a lot of the new phones have a syncing option already in the phone it would be a good thing to just leave it on and simply let it update your PC with new information. If necessary you can also back up your SMS.

In case you’re wondering where all of your data gets stored, try your Outlook or Outlook Express. All your contacts and schedules should show up there and it's easy to find and manage them. Incidentally, the software usually works in both directions. So if you update your PC, your phone will get updated as well. All you need to do when you get a new phone is simply sync it again with your PC and your data will miraculously reappear.

Lock Codes
There are a few way to protect your data in case your mobile does get stolen. Firstly you can have a Key Lock Code. That way every time your mobile goes into standby and you tap a key nothing will work till you key in the keypad code. Secondly, you can have a PIN activated. For mobile noobs, a PIN or Personal Identification Number is provided by your service provider for your SIM card protection. If that is activated and the phone is rebooted, you will need to type in the code to use that card.

Lastly, you can also have a PUK (Personal Unblock Code), which is required if you enter the wrong PIN three times. If you don’t know the PUK, the SIM will get permanently blocked, preventing anyone from using your card.

There’s also a phone lock feature which will lock just the phone and not the SIM card. This provides a way to render the phone useless, allowing you the feeling of satisfaction at outwitting a thief.