Phone stolen abroad

[Skarnsworth]

Hey, apologies if this has been covered but I am in a tight spot. We are traveling abroad and my wife's galaxy s7 edge phone was stolen. It was on airplane mode, and the only wifi network it was connected to was our hotel wifi. It was also password protected. So far (8 hours or so) it has not reconnected to any networks. We are trying to wipe the data but obviously cant do that unless it connects to a network. Questions: what can we do? I had verizon disable the IMEI so the phone cannot be used in the future, but also had them leave the service open so in case it reconnects the data will be wiped clean. Any other suggestions? Will the thieves be able to open the phone or reuse it? So frustrated to have this happen so far from home. Thanks for any help!

 

[lvt]

Does your phone have a SD card with data on it?

 

[ocnbrze]

change your google password......like NOW!!!!!!!!

 

[Skarnsworth]

Unfortunately there is an sd card with data in the phone...

 

[lvt]

Unfortunately there is an sd card with data in the phone...

Are there sensible data on the card? Did you encrypt the card using the built-in function?

 

[mikedt]

If the phone is locked and the IMEI blocked/disabled, whoever has got it now, won't be able to connect it to the internet. So I don't think there's much chance of it reconnecting, and having a remote erase. However if the micro-SD isn't encrypted, anyone will be able to remove it from the phone, and read it with another device or a computer.

 

[Skarnsworth]

I dont think the card was encrypted, but the most sensitive info on there was tons of family photos.
The hope is that whoever's got it would not be able to somehow unlock and use the phone in the future.. and maybe we have taken care of that with the passcode+imei block.

 

[ocnbrze]

Unfortunately there is an sd card with data in the phone...

not sure how that figures in by changing your password to your google acct.

 

[svim]

Since the phone did have a lock screen, it's not a complete disaster. The only real vulnerability in this matter is the microSD card, which you've already mentioned only has her photos on it.
Unless the moron that stole her phone is on a professional level (taking phones, hacking into them to do the data mining, and then resell the phone), the odds are much more likely they just snatched it as just a matter of opportunity (hanging out at places like hotels taking advantage of situation) and their skill set will be on a pretty conventional level. Once they encounter that lock screen their options will be pretty limited. Even if they are able to get past the lock screen (again, not likely), since you've already nixed the Verizon account on that phone it won't have any cellular connectivity (and now that phone is on a black list so if it does get into the resellers market it's something of a liability). As for WiFi connectivity, since you've also enabled the remote wipe feature that will clear it once the said moron does set up any kind of WiFi network on it.
The phone could be reused but since you've taken the necessary steps to protect the data, it won't be a a matter where it can be be reused as is. The lock screen will require them to re-flash the ROM to be usable again (but again, since it's now black listed it can only be reused as a WiFi only phone).
Be sure to reset any passwords for all the online services and social media accounts she uses, just in case though.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Wait, What?
Just change the Passwords?
How without a phone?

 

[Skarnsworth]

Since the phone did have a lock screen, it's not a complete disaster. The only real vulnerability in this matter is the microSD card, which you've already mentioned only has her photos on it.
Unless the moron that stole her phone is on a professional level (taking phones, hacking into them to do the data mining, and then resell the phone), the odds are much more likely they just snatched it as just a matter of opportunity (hanging out at places like hotels taking advantage of situation) and their skill set will be on a pretty conventional level. Once they encounter that lock screen their options will be pretty limited. Even if they are able to get past the lock screen (again, not likely), since you've already nixed the Verizon account on that phone it won't have any cellular connectivity (and now that phone is on a black list so if it does get into the resellers market it's something of a liability). As for WiFi connectivity, since you've also enabled the remote wipe feature that will clear it once the said moron does set up any kind of WiFi network on it.
The phone could be reused but since you've taken the necessary steps to protect the data, it won't be a a matter where it can be be reused as is. The lock screen will require them to re-flash the ROM to be usable again (but again, since it's now black listed it can only be reused as a WiFi only phone).
Be sure to reset any passwords for all the online services and social media accounts she uses, just in case though.

A million thanks, svim!!