Tech security: How to erase your phone or computer if it’s lost or stolen

Selling old tech can get you cash, but don’t forget your devices store sensitive data that you don’t want strangers to access.

For example, your smart speaker knows your location and can even store recordings of your voice locally. Tap or click here for the steps to remove and unsubscribe your Amazon Echo before selling it.

Now think about what your phone knows. No wonder you get that awful sinking feeling when you can’t find it. Here’s how to find your lost phone, even if the battery is dead.

But what if your phone, tablet or laptop is lost? Don’t let everything stored there fall into the wrong hands. Here’s how to remove all that personal information from everywhere.

Remember, you need to set this up ahead of time

Imagine you are traveling and cannot find your phone or computer. If your passcode is easy to guess – or worse, you never set one up – then you have the potential to hand over everything from your bank logins to your social media accounts to anyone. Who.

Being able to wipe your device remotely is incredibly useful. But you need to set the possibility ahead of time. If you wait until you need this functionality, it’s too late. Now take some time to set it up following the steps below.

Erase your Android

If you lose your Android phone, you can remotely find, lock, or erase it. You’ll need to enable Find My Device before you can use these features. Here’s how to do it.

• Open Setting application.
• Clap Guard > Find my device. If you don’t see Security, press Security and location or Google > Security.
• Make sure Find My Device is turned on above.

Follow these steps to erase your phone remotely

• Go android.com/find and sign in to your Google Account. If you have multiple phones, click losing phone at the top of the screen. If your lost phone has multiple user profiles, sign in with a Google Account on the main profile.
• The lost phone will receive a notification and you will see its approximate location on the map. If you can’t locate your phone, you’ll see its last known location.
• Choose Turn on lock and erase If necessary.
• Choose Erase device as erase all data on your device permanently. Note: After performing this step, Find My Device will not work on that phone.

Wipe your personal data from your smartphone before selling or processing it.
(iStock)

Erase data from your iPhone, Mac or iPad

Apple’s Find My app lets you remotely erase your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. As with Android, make sure you’ve turned on Find My ahead of time.

Turn on Find My for iPhone and iPad:

• Open Setting application. Click yours Namethen press Find mine.
• Clap Find mine [device]then turn on Find mine [device].
• To view your device even when it’s offline, turn on Find my network.
• To notify Apple of your device’s location when the battery is low, turn on Submit last position.

To turn on Find My for your Mac:

• Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Click Privacy navigation. If the padlock in the lower left is locked, click the padlock and enter your password.
• Choose Location Servicesthen choose Turn on Location Services check box. Make sure that the checkbox next to Find mine chosen.
• Click Accomplishedthen return to the main System Preferences window.
• Click Apple ID > icloud. Select the checkbox next to Find My Mac.
• To make sure you can find your Mac if it’s lost or stolen, click Option. Give it a check Find My Mac On and Find my network is on.
• Click Accomplished.

In this illustration, an Apple iPad shows its home screen. (Photo courtesy of Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images)
(Getty Images 2014)

Now, let’s say your iPhone, iPad or Mac goes missing. Here’s how to delete all the data stored on it remotely.

• Go icloud.com and log in to your account.
• Click Find My Iphoneafterward All of equipment. (Note: If you don’t see All Devices, you’ve selected a device. Click the name of the current device in the middle of the toolbar to access the Devices list, then select a new device.)
• Select the device you want to remove and click Erase [device].
• Do one of the following, depending on what you want to erase: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch: Import Apple ID Password. If you don’t use a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code sent to your other devices. Mac: Enter your Apple ID password. If you don’t use a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code sent to your other devices. Enter the passcode to lock your Mac. You will need to use a passcode to unlock it.
• iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch: Enter Apple ID Password. If you don’t use a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code sent to your other devices.
• Mac: Enter your Apple ID password. If you don’t use a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code sent to your other devices. Enter the passcode to lock your Mac. You will need to use a passcode to unlock it.
• If the device is lost and you are asked to enter a phone number or message, indicate that the device is lost or how to contact you if you choose. The number and message will appear on your device’s lock screen.
• If your device is online, the remote wipe will begin after following the on-screen instructions. If your device is offline, the remote wipe will start the next time it’s online.

MORE SMARTS TECHNOLOGY: Every iPhone and Android user should know these genius commands

Always wipe your personal data from laptops and other electronic devices before you dispose of them.
(iStock)

Windows

You can also remotely wipe your Windows laptop. Make sure Find My Device is turned on before this happens:

• Sign in with your Microsoft account.
• In Windows 10, go to Setting > Update & Security > Find my device and make sure the feature is above.
• In Windows 11, go to Setting > Privacy & Security > Find my device and make sure the feature is above.

Next, you need to register your computer with Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based service that allows you to remotely manage devices and applications. Install apps from Microsoft Store or Login to the Company Portal website.

Now, if your laptop is lost, you can erase it remotely.

• Go Portal.azure.com/#home and login.
• Choose All services and filter In tune.
• Choose Microsoft Intune and choose Device.
• Select the device that you want to erase remotely.
• Click Wipe it off And after that Right.
• The next time you turn on your laptop, all your data will be erased within 15 minutes.

Remove yourself from the Internet

While you’re on, take another smart security step. This is my latest guide on how to remove yourself from the Internet. It’s nearly impossible to remove yourself from the web completely, but you can pretty much do it if you know where to start.

PODCAST PICK: Traffic tips, YouTube shortcuts, golden security tips – Komando.com

Want to remove yourself from the internet? Here’s how to do it. I will also show you how to predict traffic conditions months in advance. You’ll learn about some YouTube shortcuts you’ll always use, and the Netflix changes that could come later this year. Also, a piece of history died in a ransomware attack. Here’s what you need to know.

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Listen to podcasts here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just searched for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim and ‘s national radio program tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen or watch The Kim Komando show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

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Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and offers advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacking. For daily tips, free newsletter and more, visit her website at Komando.com.