Technology to Cut Down Cell Phone Poaching

In an attempt to cut down unlawful access to confidential data stored into mobile’s memory chip and to keep a check on mobile phone theft backed by profit motive, a new service, Remote XT, was launched in Britain on Monday.

The Windows Mobile-based phone security service emits electronic screamings once the mobile phone is registered as lost.

The technology has an inbuilt software that links the customers’ cell phone to the secure remote server directly. This server acts as a storehouse to all data from phone numbers to text messages and emails.

Once the phone is stolen or lost, the customer needs to call up at the helpline centre and file a ‘stolen report’. The system immediately triggers a high-pitched screech from the mobile handset which can only be stopped once the battery is removed.

The signals automatically disable the phone and thus wipes off information regarding contact numbers, texts, images and emails, etc. stored onto the handset. The disabled handset cannot be used even with a new SIM card.

Appreciating the new breakthrough, Mark Whiteman, managing director of Remote XT said, "By making mobiles unusable to anyone but the rightful owner the phones become worthless and we will see the market for stolen handsets stamped out once and for all.”

Primarly targeting the business tycoons, the service claims to prove beneficail for all those who hold confidential data like e-mails, images, on their phones.

Backed by Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum, the service aims at cutting down the increasing mobile phone criminality. The authorities post an annual figure of around 7,00,000 mobile phones thefts.

Steve Bending, head of the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit said, "The NMPCU is 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.”

But as they say, “Good things come at a price”, the service costs the subscribers 9.99 pounds or $18 a month.

So, make merry! Your mobile phone will scream "thief, thief" if someone tries to rob it from you.