Losing your keys, wallet – or any other item – can be a big bummer, but there are a number Trackers that can help you locate the things you've missed – with incredible accuracy.
Have you ever felt anxious looking for your phone and not immediately finding it in your pocket? It's a familiar feeling for many of us. Your heart is about to break as you quickly check your pockets. Then, almost always, you find it in some pocket of your coat. It's a small reminder of our dependence on these handy devices says o Márk Szabó from the team of the global digital security company ESET and lists some ways you can avoid those dreaded moments of sudden anxiety.
Tracking devices
Tracking devices are small objects that use simple batteries to stay charged for a long time. Products like Apple AirTag, Tile or Samsung SmartTag are small enough to fit in your pocket, in a secret compartment in your car or in your luggage. These devices have proven to be a lifesaver for him lost luggage tracking for travelers traveling by train and plane. Or, if you cycle a lot, you can even hide one in a bell so you can feel secure that your bike is where you left it (or track it if it goes missing).
Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology allows these devices to operate via a secure frequency activated by the manufacturer, which then uses the devices/phones network to locate it, with the tracker's location displayed in an app, such as Apple's Find My or Samsung's SmartThings Find.
One important thing to remember about manufacturer-specific products, such as Apple's AirTag, is that they are designed to work exclusively with the manufacturer's apps or devices. So the AirTag is not compatible with an Android device, for example. Also, these tracking devices rely on a network of similar devices to locate themselves, as they do not have GPS capabilities. As for GPS trackers, they are especially useful for tracking things that are constantly in motion and need regular location updates, such as vehicles. These detectors rely on satellite technology to pinpoint their location, which makes them ideal for tracking dynamic objects.
The other side of the coin
Technologies are tools that help us, but the very capabilities that make tracking devices so valuable to lost items are also what make them vulnerable to misuse. It would therefore be remiss not to mention the potential risks associated with their use, says Márk Szabó from ESET.
What if someone puts a tracking device in your bag or car without your consent? Indeed, they have been recorded numerous cases in which people claimed they were being tracked by people using AirTags. These concerns have led to calls to improve the security of Bluetooth-enabled tracking devices, particularly to prevent them from being used to track people without their knowledge.
Apple and Google have teamed up to limit unwanted tracking. For example, you should be notified if an AirTag that is not yours moves with you, regardless of whether you own a smartphone with iOS ή Android.
In addition, the two tech giants are working on a common proposition for one industry specification to combat security risks associated with unwanted tracking via Bluetooth tracking devices. There is hope that the specification, which has also gathered the support of manufacturers of other Bluetooth tracking devices, could finalized and updates to become available for both iOS and Android in 2024.
As technology comes with both opportunities and risks, it is wise to be aware of the potential risks associated with Bluetooth tracking devices.
Detection by software
Another handy set of tools for locating lost devices are software-based solutions. These can either be pre-installed by the device manufacturer and linked to your account, or they can be third-party apps, often provided by security companies. Among the most popular are those that come already installed on your smartphone, such as Samsung SmartThings Find or Apple's Find My. These apps don't just help you locate your phone—they can also help you locate other devices, like your smartwatch, laptop, or tablets you.
Setting up these device-finding apps usually starts with creating an account, which connects to your device and verifies that you're the owner. The special feature of these apps is their ability to display your device's location on a map. Interestingly, this map is often accessible through web browsers, a feature that some tracking devices also offer. Even if your device is offline, these apps can track its location. This is possible thanks to a technology similar to that used in Apple/Samsung trackers. They utilize a mix of sources data location data, such as GPS, Wi-Fi hotspots and cell tower locations, to provide accurate positioning. Owners can also choose to use third-party apps and trackers. Some protection solutions from malicious software offer device tracking as part of premium services for consumers, such as using anti-theft features to locate your device through a web portal or within an application.
Are there other alternatives?
In the past, the cell tower triangulation was the most popular method for locating a device, using cell towers to measure the time delay it takes for a signal to return to the towers from a phone, recalls Márk Szabó from ESET. This delay is then calculated into distance and gives a fairly accurate location of the phone. However, this method is not as accurate as GPS trackers and is also less accurate than modern forms of triangulation that use a combination of cell towers, Wi-Fi and other data, especially in rural areas where there aren't as many cell towers .
This alternative is mainly used by mobile service providers for tracking mobile telephones or from the police authorities.
The choice depends on what you want to detect
So what's the best option if your phone is lost? First, set up a tracking software on your phone as soon as you start using it. This way, if your phone is lost, you will be able to locate it with great precision.
Additionally, a smart move is to secure your phone with a lock screens – be it facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or a password. This extra layer of security can help prevent unauthorized access to your apps and personal accounts. Second, once your device is lost, call yourself if there's a chance you hear your phone ring or if someone might answer your call. Likewise, try locking it remotely using the locator app as an added security measure.
If you're worried that your phone might be lost forever, it's important to take some immediate action.
At first, contact your service provider to block the card SIMs.. This will prevent anyone from using your call and data plan. Subsequently, use the tracking app you have set up on your phone to remotely wipe all your data. In this way, you can protect your personal information from unauthorized access. For other devices or equipment, use tracking devices. They are best used on luggage, bags, cars… basically, items that have no other feature that would allow them to be tracked and located. For climbers/walkers, the use detectors GPS it makes more sense than relying on their phone's location.
In general, there are many options for tracking devices. Your goal is always to keep your things safe, but remember, if you or your devices ever go missing, you're now equipped with the knowledge to locate them more accurately.
