How to secure data of stolen phone that was hacked

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maryanne102 Author

Level 1

8 points

How to secure data of stolen phone that was hacked

Hi, my phone was stolen, and the thief was able to hack my Apple ID , and have disabled the find my I phone feature.

1. I have since regained access to my Apple ID and have changed password.

2. I have also activated lost Phone and erased data remotely through my iPad device

3. I have also reported this to my carrier and have blocked the SIM card

i am thinking that I will not be able to recover the phone anymore. I am just concerned with securing my data. Will erasing data remotely work from another device if the find my I phone function is disabled?

i can still see the device listed on my Apple ID, but just offline.

Pls advice. Thanks

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 10.3.3

Posted on Sep 15, 2017 11:03 AM

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Answer 1

maryanne102 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 16, 2017 7:34 AM in response to KiltedTim

I've figured out how they were able to change the password -- my e mail is also in the phone, so when they changed my password, they were able to validate the code. The only thing they were able to do though, was disable Find My Phone. I was able to report it in time to my phone carrier, and they were not able to get out the phone listing from Apple I Cloud, it is still there.

I went to a Mac center, and they said that what I did (remote access to I Cloud to report the phone stolen and remove data) will be activated once the phone goes online. Right now I still see it in I Cloud as offline.

I guess it helps as a security measure not to have the recovery e mail messages on the phone as an added security; tedious, but cautious.

Thanks for all your input.

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

230,442 points

Sep 15, 2017 11:05 AM in response to maryanne102

If the phone was locked with a passcode, the data is unreadable without the passcode. This is regardless of whether it was locked with FMiP or not.

If it's been removed from FMiP, there is no way to erase it, or track it. It's probably already been erased.

I'm guessing they did not 'hack' your account to remove it from FMiP, I'm guessing you responded to a phishing message and gave them your credentials.

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Answer 3

Sep 16, 2017 7:50 AM in response to maryanne102

You should change all your passwords. Since you did not have a screen lock, the thief has been able to browse your device and use your apps with any cached passwords at their leisure.

Your iCloud Account, now that you’ve regained control of it, blocks them from activating it if they try to erase and restore it as new. But how long have they had it, and had full use of it? You should assume the worst, and go and change all your account passwords immediately.

Worrying about trying to erase it now is a bit like trying to install home sprinklers after the house has burned down.

If you have anything sensitive, private or personal on your smart phone, a device lock code really is essential, not optional.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

230,442 points

Sep 16, 2017 5:33 AM in response to maryanne102

Did you have the phone secured with a passcode?

If you did not receive any emails or text messages with links that led you to a login page for iCloud, by which the thief could have stolen your credentials, there is a very real possibility that the thief is someone you know well.

If it's no longer listed in FindMyiPhone, it's most likely already been erased. The thief most likely doesn't care about any data on it. They just want the device.

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Answer 5

maryanne102 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 15, 2017 8:26 PM in response to KiltedTim

I didn't respond to any phishing credentials. I just received a message that my Apple ID password was changed and a separate e mail on find my I phone feature being turned off.

I have since changed the password of my Apple ID and activated sound, stolen phone mode, and erased data through my Mac.

I can still see it as one of my gadgets listed on my Apple ID but offline.

I understand that once the phone gets connected to the internet, all above actions mentioned will take place. Will that work in securing my data, given that the find my I phone feature is off, and I am remotely removing data access from another listed gadget in my Apple ID?

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Answer 6

Sep 16, 2017 7:42 AM in response to maryanne102

I would call your carrier and have this phone flagged as lost or stolen. That way its flagged and the IMEI won't work on another carreR. As for the data wipe. You can authorize this in the find my iPhone interface. So when the phone goes back online, be it wifi or cellular. It will wipe it.

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