Lost iPhone -- Is My Data Safe?

BoredOp · Jul 22, 2010, 04:50 PM

Hi all

I recently lost my iPhone. It was a first generation that I had managed to hold onto and keep working for years. I left it in the back of a cab and despite all my effort to relocate it, it appears it's gone for good.

I had AT&T deactivate it 20 mins after I lost it. I also had the passcode feature active. AT&T has assured me that the combination of the two will pretty much render the phone a paper weight unless whoever found the phone restores it. I've never had to restore the phone, so one question I have is could whoever has my phone gain access to my data after restoring it? Like will iTunes back up the data for them and then allow them to download it again to the phone?

Is my data safe? I work for a media organization and I had some very sensitive and valuable data on that phone. The kind of data I could lose my job over if a third party were to somehow access it. Not to mention the countless phone numbers and the huge log of text messages that contained sensitive personal information. Also, please spare me the ridicule of asking why I had so much important information on the phone. I've spent the last week beating myself up over it, and needless to say have learned my lesson. Trust me when I say I"ve punished myself enough over this.

After an initial search, it appears there are illicit ways to hack the phone and get around the passcode, however my understanding of the subject is limited, and my question boils down to: can someone access the data on my phone?

I"m merely looking for peace of mind here. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

edtorious · 06:18 PM

Do you have MobileMe?

miles01110 · Jul 22, 2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

my question boils down to: can someone access the data on my phone?

The answer boils down to: yes.

redbotsoftware · Jul 22, 2010, 06:19 PM

iTunes will not unlock it for them, it will erase it to restore it. Your datas safe. Ways of getting around the security lock are not that easy to do, and why would someone go to the trouble unless they knew what you had on there, and how to use it?
I wouldn't worry.

BoredOp · Jul 22, 2010, 06:20 PM

Nope, no Mobile Me, already explored that option

Well that's unfortunate. Which data can they get to? If they restored it in a bid to sell it, would restoring it wipe the text messages/contacts/notepad?

BoredOp · Jul 22, 2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbotsoftware

iTunes will not unlock it for them, it will erase it to restore it. Your datas safe. Ways of getting around the security lock are not that easy to do, and why would someone go to the trouble unless they knew what you had on there, and how to use it?
I wouldn't worry.

Thanks, this makes me feel a bit better. I hoped that if it was possible, it would be labor intensive enough that they just wouldn't bother.

BoredOp · Jul 22, 2010, 07:44 PM

Thanks for the responses so far. Does anyone else want to confirm or deny anything posted so far?

MikePA · Jul 23, 2010, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredOp

Thanks for the responses so far. Does anyone else want to confirm or deny anything posted so far?

Did the first gen have the option to erase all data if the wrong passcode is entered more than 10 times? If so, was this option set?

The iPhone4 has this option but it's not turned on by default when you activate a passcode. Frankly, the passcode by itself isn't much of a deterrent since all the thief needs to be is persistent and enter up to 1,000 passcodes if they really want your data. So, I'm not sure why someone would say "Ways of getting around the security lock are not that easy to do...".

teebag · Jul 23, 2010, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikePA

all the thief needs to be is persistent and enter up to 1,000 passcodes if they really want your data.".

Shouldn't that be 10,000 passcodes ? ie, 0000 to 9999

DaveAmbler · Jul 23, 2010, 04:51 AM

I should think the thief couldn't give two tosses about what info you had on the phone - I'd imagine it'd have been erased and restored to factory settings pretty soon after it was stolen

You're safe!

isooz · Jul 23, 2010, 05:14 AM

So if the phone is plugged in and restored does it lose the passlock, jailbreak and unlock? ie does it then render it useable? Am in a similar position - I reported mine stolen and gave IMEI number. Was assured the phone would be useless to anyone else. Not bothered about data as mine is of no use to anyone alse but I dont want my phone to be used by anyone else

And of course I would like it back

DaveAmbler · Jul 23, 2010, 06:32 AM

I *think* the phone will only be disabled for use with your carrier... they may well be able to jailbreak it and unlock it for use on any other carrier.

MikePA · Jul 23, 2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teebag

Shouldn't that be 10,000 passcodes ? ie, 0000 to 9999

Duh, yep, you're right.

Jul 22, 2010, 04:50 PM	#1
BoredOp macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2010	Lost iPhone -- Is My Data Safe? Hi all I recently lost my iPhone. It was a first generation that I had managed to hold onto and keep working for years. I left it in the back of a cab and despite all my effort to relocate it, it appears it's gone for good. I had AT&T deactivate it 20 mins after I lost it. I also had the passcode feature active. AT&T has assured me that the combination of the two will pretty much render the phone a paper weight unless whoever found the phone restores it. I've never had to restore the phone, so one question I have is could whoever has my phone gain access to my data after restoring it? Like will iTunes back up the data for them and then allow them to download it again to the phone? Is my data safe? I work for a media organization and I had some very sensitive and valuable data on that phone. The kind of data I could lose my job over if a third party were to somehow access it. Not to mention the countless phone numbers and the huge log of text messages that contained sensitive personal information. Also, please spare me the ridicule of asking why I had so much important information on the phone. I've spent the last week beating myself up over it, and needless to say have learned my lesson. Trust me when I say I"ve punished myself enough over this. After an initial search, it appears there are illicit ways to hack the phone and get around the passcode, however my understanding of the subject is limited, and my question boils down to: can someone access the data on my phone? I"m merely looking for peace of mind here. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
	0

Jul 22, 2010, 06:16 PM	#2
edtorious macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego, California	Do you have MobileMe? __________________ The new iPad 64GB Black Wifi 64GB White iPhone 5 27" iMac Quad Core 2.8ghz i5 "Excellence I try to achieve, Perfection is 's business..." Last edited by Mitthrawnuruodo; Jul 22, 2010 at 06:18 PM. Reason: No need to quote the entire first post...
	0

Jul 22, 2010, 06:19 PM	#4
redbotsoftware macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2009	iTunes will not unlock it for them, it will erase it to restore it. Your datas safe. Ways of getting around the security lock are not that easy to do, and why would someone go to the trouble unless they knew what you had on there, and how to use it? I wouldn't worry. __________________ Redbot Software We make:AppMockup: Make an App For That, Photo Journal App: Once Daily 365, ABC Letters Tracing, Adv of the Zombie Sniper
	0

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Jul 22, 2010, 06:20 PM	#5
BoredOp Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2010	Nope, no Mobile Me, already explored that option Well that's unfortunate. Which data can they get to? If they restored it in a bid to sell it, would restoring it wipe the text messages/contacts/notepad?
	0

Jul 22, 2010, 07:44 PM	#7
BoredOp Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2010	Thanks for the responses so far. Does anyone else want to confirm or deny anything posted so far?
	0

Jul 23, 2010, 04:51 AM	#10
DaveAmbler macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK	I should think the thief couldn't give two tosses about what info you had on the phone - I'd imagine it'd have been erased and restored to factory settings pretty soon after it was stolen You're safe!
	0

Jul 23, 2010, 05:14 AM	#11
isooz macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: nottingham uk	So if the phone is plugged in and restored does it lose the passlock, jailbreak and unlock? ie does it then render it useable? Am in a similar position - I reported mine stolen and gave IMEI number. Was assured the phone would be useless to anyone else. Not bothered about data as mine is of no use to anyone alse but I dont want my phone to be used by anyone else And of course I would like it back
	0

Jul 23, 2010, 06:32 AM	#12
DaveAmbler macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK	I think the phone will only be disabled for use with your carrier... they may well be able to jailbreak it and unlock it for use on any other carrier.
	0


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