"Kill Switches" | Smartphones' Anti-Theft Apps

Device manufacturers have begun adding additional security "Kill Switch" to devices, such as Apple's Find My iPhone feature in iOS7 and similar feature updates to Android's device manager. The kill switch is a system for remotely disabling smartphones and wiping their data.


The  smartphones theft is a rising problem since these devices are small, easily swiped, and valuable; there are few solutions that will deter criminals from earning a few dollars by pinching these devices.

The industry hasn’t always been so keen on kill switches. Samsung reportedly tried to offer this anti-theft feature last year, but said that wireless carriers had rejected the idea since many carriers and firms are making profit through theft, whether by insurance or replacing stolen handsets.

Some features of "Kill Switch" Application are;
1. Remote wipe the authorized user’s data (i.e., erase personal info that is added after purchase such as contacts, photos, emails, etc.) that is on the smartphone in the event it is lost or stolen.

2. Render the smartphone inoperable to an unauthorized user (e.g., locking the smartphone so it cannot be used without a password or PIN), except in accordance with FCC rules for 911 emergency communications, and if available, emergency numbers programmed by the authorized user (e.g., “phone home”).

3. Prevent reactivation without authorized user’s permission (including unauthorized factory reset attempts) to the extent technologically feasible (e.g., locking the smartphone as in 2 above).

4. Reverse the inoperability if the smartphone is recovered by the authorized user and restore user data on the smartphone to the extent feasible (e.g., restored from the cloud).

Apple provides a good model for how the system should work. When users set up their iPhones for the first time, they’re given a prominent option to enable Find My iPhone, so new users should be well aware of the feature. As of iOS 7, Find My iPhone includes an Activation Lock feature that prevents thieves from erasing or reactivating the device. Google has taken similar steps recently with Android Device Manager, which gained a remote lock feature last fall.