Access data on stolen iPhone

Question

Access data on stolen iPhone

Hey Guys

The worst thing happend to me about 3 days ago. My iPhone 3GS (running iOS 5 -- I think) got stolen. My major concern is that will someone be able to access my personal data like photos, apps, cached email etc? I did passcode protect it.

Do you know of some way that they could "hack" into my iPhone?

Also, if I can recall correctly, there was some option that I disabled that said something on the lines of "wipe device if passcode entered incorrectly ten times". Do you think that when I upgraded iOS that option reverted back to been enabled?

Thanks

-Bruce Blacklaws

PS: I'm so sad :-(

iPhone 3GS, iOS 5

Posted on Nov 26, 2011 1:50 PM

Reply

Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Nov 26, 2011 1:52 PM in response to Community User

Anything can be hacked.

I can't imagine why most thieves would take the time ( or have the ability) to do this.

The wipe will not be enabled unless you enabled it.

Change your passwords and report to the police and your carrier.

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Answer 2

Nov 26, 2011 1:53 PM in response to roaminggnome

How would they go about accessing my data then?

I've been reading around... what do you think about this. Is it true?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2297931

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Answer 3

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Nov 26, 2011 1:54 PM in response to Community User

Sorry to hear about your iPhone, If you had a password set on the device and it was locked then it will be virtually impossible for the person to access your data. As a precaution you should change your iTunes password. Did you have find my iPhone installed on your iPhone it so you can do a remote wipe to delete the data.

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Answer 4

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Nov 26, 2011 1:57 PM in response to Community User

If it is passcode protected, it is very unlikely that anyone would get your information.

Change your passowrds and report the theft to the poilce.

There is nothing more you can do.

Sorry about your iphone.

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Answer 5

Nov 26, 2011 1:57 PM in response to Eric Ross

Yeah, I had logged into iCloud and stuff but I don't think I enabled the "location services". I did go and purchase Prey (Prey Project) but I've only gotten one report... think they have either removed my SIM card or have the phone turned off...

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Answer 6

Nov 26, 2011 1:59 PM in response to roaminggnome

Have there been any reported incedents of ways to bypass the passcode and access the data? What if they figure some way to mount the iPhones file system or something... ? Just going out on a limb

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Answer 7

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Nov 26, 2011 2:14 PM in response to Community User

Bruce, most stolen or lost iPhones are erased and the hardware is sold. The thief will not make any money on your data unless you are 007 or in the CIA 😉 and if you were in the CIA you can just send a drone out to take care of the thief.

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Answer 8

Nov 26, 2011 2:22 PM in response to Eric Ross

Will someone be able to use my iPhone by erasing it like you said?

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Answer 9

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Nov 26, 2011 3:03 PM in response to Community User

Yep, but most thieves are not interested in doing that. They sell them to unsuspecting buyers.

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Answer 10

Nov 26, 2011 3:14 PM in response to wjosten

Bruce, what all information can they access from the SIM Card, mine was recently stolen and within minutes it was turned off. Did a little research and found that once the SIM Card is removed then any program like "find my iphone" is pretty much useless. I suspect that it is what happened.

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