Kaspersky publishes step-by-step protocol for securing accounts and data after a phone is lost or stolen

The guide covers device location, remote locking, SIM and bank card blocking, password resets and remote data erasure, with specific features available through the company's Android security app

Kaspersky, the cybersecurity company that provides consumer and enterprise security products across more than 200 countries, has released a five-step action plan detailing what users should do in the minutes after discovering a phone is missing. The guide addresses both the immediate risk of losing access to the device and the longer-term risk of unauthorised access to banking, email and identity documents stored on it.

The first step is to attempt to locate the device using the built-in tracking features available on both major mobile platforms. Android users can access Find My Device through their Google account, while iOS users can use Find My through their Apple ID, both from any other device logged into the same account. Kaspersky's Android app offers an additional tracking option called Where Is My Device, accessible through the My Kaspersky web portal. All of these features require prior activation to function.

Once the device has been located or confirmed as unreachable, the next step is to set it to lost mode and activate a remote lock. Users can set a new password and add a contact message for anyone who finds the device. Kaspersky's Android app adds two functions beyond the standard lock. The first is a loud alarm that sounds even when the phone is on silent, which can help locate a device lost nearby or force a thief to abandon it. The second is a mugshot feature that uses the front camera to photograph whoever is currently handling the phone, producing evidence that can be shared with authorities. Both functions operate independently of the device's native lock commands.

The third step involves blocking the SIM card through the mobile operator, which prevents the number from being used for calls, messages or verification codes, and contacting the bank to block or unlink any cards associated with the device. After that, the guide recommends changing passwords for all accounts accessed through the phone, starting with the master password of any password manager in use. Kaspersky's SIM Watch feature, if activated in advance, automatically locks the device when a new SIM card is inserted, which prevents someone from bypassing the lock by swapping the SIM. The app also includes anti-uninstall protection that blocks removal of the security software and changes to system settings without the screen lock password.

The fourth step is to check whether backups or cloud syncing were enabled before the loss. If they were, contacts, photos, messages and documents can be restored to a replacement device. If not, that data may be unrecoverable. The fifth and final step, if the device cannot be retrieved, is to remotely erase all data through Find My Device on Android, Find My on iOS or the My Kaspersky portal.

Kaspersky also recommends several preventive measures that reduce the impact of a loss if configured before it happens. These include enabling location tracking and automatic backups, storing sensitive documents such as scanned passports and identity cards in encrypted storage rather than in standard photo galleries or file managers, setting the phone to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity, and keeping the device physically secured in public spaces.

"In the routine of daily operations, it is easy to overlook how many critical aspects of our digital lives are tied to our mobile devices, and how seldom we consider that losing a phone may lead not only to inconvenience, but also to data loss, compromised access to essential accounts, or even identity theft. At Kaspersky, we think in advance for your safety, going beyond just an antivirus solution. We fully understand the risks and disruptions that a lost or stolen phone can cause. That is why our solutions are designed to mitigate those risks," said Dmitry Kalinin, Senior Malware Analyst at Kaspersky.