How to Keep Your Gadgets From Getting Stolen
Every day, the gadgets we use become smaller, more portable, and more valuable. Unfortunately, this increase in convenience also raises the appeal of these devices to potential thieves. Here, Switched presents tips to avoid becoming a theft victim for the five common gadgets, as well potential ways to recover your property if it's stolen. And no, we're not recommending using a taser for any of them.
iPods
Since iPods and other audio players are valuable, don't require subscriptions to use, and lack built-in theft deterrents, they're very popular for thieves. Major cities have begun cautioning commuters, like New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority, which released a poster reminding subway riders that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device." In San Francisco, iPod robberies on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system accounted for 23% of the increase in citywide robbery from 2004 to 2006.
How to prevent theft (or minimize the consequences of theft):
iPods
Since iPods and other audio players are valuable, don't require subscriptions to use, and lack built-in theft deterrents, they're very popular for thieves. Major cities have begun cautioning commuters, like New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority, which released a poster reminding subway riders that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device." In San Francisco, iPod robberies on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system accounted for 23% of the increase in citywide robbery from 2004 to 2006.
How to prevent theft (or minimize the consequences of theft):
- Switch out the headphones. The standard white iPod buds make you an obvious target for anyone who specifically wants the generally-more-coveted iPod or iPhone, so go for something less expensive looking.
- Conceal it. Avoid clipping your audio player onto your belt, which not only looks dorky, but also makes it much easier for robbers to grab than if it were hidden inside your clothing. As an alternative, go for an armband or something that secures it to your body.
- Be careful where you take it. Schools and subways are common areas for these kinds of thefts.
- Install tracking software, such as GadgetTrak. When connected to a computer, the software on your stolen device sends all the robber's computer information, including username, ISP, network address and more back to the company, which can very well lead to recovery.
- Never leave it unattended, anywhere. Duh.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken Westin @ Jan 31st 2008 6:46PM
You can learn more about GadgetTrak and their anti-theft products for mobile devices here:
http://www.gadgettrak.com
Lajuana82 @ Feb 1st 2008 8:12AM
I use the wireless earphones..much better!!
me @ Feb 1st 2008 8:41AM
ok..well nobody would be having this problem if they just watched there stuff and would stop trusting people so easy. wherever my ipod/cellphone/camera anything is IM THERE. some people just take off. and well, your asking for it if its just sitting there. I say dont waste your words anymore on an issue that we could prevent from happening. when you can write about something that is ten times more important
Donna @ Feb 1st 2008 10:38AM
Mostly it's just simple common sense that keeps your stuff from getting stolen. I work in a grocery store and I'm amazed at how many customers shop with their purses in the cart, wide open, and they have their backs turned looking at the shelves. That's an open invitation to "help yourself". And kids are always walking around with the buds in their ears, waving their iPods and Game Boys around for all the world to see. I don't know if I'm supposed to be impressed, but I'm not, and I have no sympathy for anybody who gets something stolen when they're so blatent about advertising it's existance.
ian @ Feb 1st 2008 11:08AM
That's why they call that iPod white color "Mug Me White".
LUIGI IN NAPLES @ Feb 1st 2008 12:33PM
INSERT YOUR BUSINESS CARD OR A CARD WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS ON IT INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND THE DOOR...LET THE SMALL CARD SLIDE DOWN INTO THE DOOR FRAME. IF CAR IS STOLEN AND VIN NUMBER CHANGED, YOU CAN PROVE THE CAR BELONGS TO YOU BECAUSE ONLY YOU, THE OWNER, WOULD KNOW ABOUT THE "ID CARD" YOU PLACED.
LUIGI IN NAPLES
Quinn @ Feb 1st 2008 12:40PM
You guys are sooooo compassionate. After living in NYC for 20 years, when you are on a crowded subway at rush hour being bumped and jostled all over the place, most times you have no idea you have been pickpocketed until you reach for ipod and its gone. Since in NYC we walk everywhere, we are very aware of our surroundings, so people are very aware on the subway and it still happens. You guys should leave podunk every once and a while.
Neal Nicholas @ Apr 15th 2008 8:23PM
Man, the way you make NYC sound, I don't think I want to leave "podunk"
Quinn @ Feb 1st 2008 12:43PM
Debarbie, the ten commandments in a public place has never lowered the crime rate anywhere.
debarbie @ Feb 1st 2008 12:45PM
Keep re electing the same jerks who out law the ten commandments in public places. Thou shalt not steal. It is a sin. What a sad state we are letting this country get to in order to be politically correct.
Phillip Dority @ Feb 1st 2008 1:01PM
At http://www.ehenrys.com they offer QUALITY DEVICES AT DISCOUNT PRICES!
black knight @ Feb 1st 2008 1:08PM
Yeah man, that stuff is easy to steal. People don't even realize it until I'm halfway down the block jammin out to my new I-Pod I worked so hard for. The streets is ruf man.
t @ Apr 16th 2008 9:03AM
Hope you get caught and rot in jail. worthless bastard
FJ @ Feb 1st 2008 1:18PM
IPOD What's That?
Rwewe @ Feb 1st 2008 1:53PM
How about we just go back to cassettes and cd players dat way if it get stolen u wouldn't be that upsett
Larry Higgs @ Feb 1st 2008 2:53PM
May thats why I shunned the I Pod for brand X, an i-river, which looks totally different, even though it is the same kind of MP3 player. Mr. Bad Boy on the subway looks at it with the same expression he has when I bust out the old school Walkman cassette player and moves on to the cat with the white ear buds. Added bonus, it uses a single AA battery so I'm not a slave to the charger.
Daniela @ Feb 1st 2008 3:09PM
Where do i go to Install tracking software for my IPod and is it expesive? >< i can't handle expensive now but if it's worth it ill get it lol
Ron @ Feb 1st 2008 5:00PM
If someone stole my mp3 player they would be the ones that were the losers. This thing is made in China and if the ear bud cords are any indication of Chinese quality then this thing is real crap. If you hold the earbud cord in the air by the connector the ear buds do not hang even to each other. There is about an 8 inch difference. One hangs 8 inches below the other. I am fascinated by the quality control people in this wonderful nation of China. Guess they aren't paid enough to do the job right.
vaughn05v @ Feb 3rd 2008 4:03AM
Why do you care about something geting stolen. When right now some one's children is being kidnapped, or perhaps killed. That's what every one should be think about. Our children being hurt from a very bad men, or women.
I know that I have come up with the best idea for an invention that will actually work and save our loved ones. God bless every one that makes a donation for my invention to save the children of the future.
www.savingkids.us
Thank you!
marvin miller @ Feb 4th 2008 6:37AM
Has anyone noticed that all these (this article) current "necessities" (how did we live before their existance?) are labeled "GADGETS"?????