Stolen mobiles scream blue murder

Mobile phone thieves are in for a shock if the phone they steal is protected by a new service from Remote XT. 

The phone will be locked and wiped of all data if the thief removes the SIM card, but will also let out an ear-piercing scream that can only be stopped by removing the battery. 

Phone data can also be backed up to Remote XT's servers, protecting the user's information.

Remote XT supports directives from the Home Office and the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) to fight rising handset theft. 

"The NMPCU focuses on reducing the market for stolen mobile phones by targeting those who handle or re-program stolen mobile phones and those who seek to export them," said detective superintendent Steve Bending.

"We are supportive of measures that make mobile phones less desirable items to steal and worthless in the hands of those who seek to profit from mobile phone criminality.

"Any opportunity to disable a mobile phone and render it useless should it be stolen, is welcomed."

Jack Wraith, chairman of the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum, added: "Any product which adds a level of security for the user and a barrier for the thief has to be good news." 

Home Secretary John Reid stated that the public should be free to carry valuable items on the streets, such as mobile phones and MP3 players, without "fear of becoming a target for robbers". 

Remote XT backs up the entire contents of a mobile phone either daily, weekly or monthly, or can be set to save data by the number of transactions carried out.

The service starts at £9.99 + VAT per month and is only compatible with phones running Microsoft's Windows Mobile or Symbian's S60, S80 and UIQ.

See also:

US department learns lessons from laptop theft

Encryption to protect veterans' data  29 Aug 2006

European mobile phone growth 'unsustainable'

IDC reports that saturation levels have passed 100 per cent  22 Aug 2006

Windows Mobile secured

On the fly encryption makes safety a no-brainer  10 Aug 2006

Nokia the most stolen phone

New study tracks mobile thefts  04 Aug 2006

Networks to be accountable in mobile phone theft

New charter aims to reduce mobile phone crime  28 Jul 2006

UK yachtsman saved by mobile phone

Son calls the coastguard after receiving mobile phone alerts from father  10 Jul 2006

Swedish study establishes mobile phone cancer link

Researchers find increased risk of brain tumours  04 Apr 2006

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