Lost or stolen phone? UAE-based cybersecurity experts share tips to protect your data

Dubai: Losing your phone or having it stolen while abroad, can be stressful, but try not to panic. It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed. After all, smartphones hold sensitive data, personal memories, and access to much of your digital life.

Even if you are unable to recover the device, cybersecurity experts in the UAE say there are key steps you can take to protect your information. From blocking your number to remotely wiping your data, acting quickly can help prevent your personal details from falling into the wrong hands.

Your first action should be to contact your telecom service provider and have your mobile number blocked. This step is crucial to prevent anyone from misusing your SIM card for calls, messages, or data.

When reporting the loss, be ready to provide:

After verifying the details, the service provider will begin the process of blocking your device. According to the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), your provider will add your phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number to the national blacklist. Within 24 hours, your phone will be barred from connecting to any UAE mobile network. Additionally, if you have lost valuable personal items such as a smartphone, wallet, watch or passport, report the incident to the police immediately.

Whether you use an iPhone or Android device, you can take action through your online account portal. If your device has been misplaced, you can activate ‘Lost Mode’ or even attempt to track it using locator tools like ‘Find My’ iPhone or Google ‘Find My Device’.

In cases where the phone is confirmed stolen, data protection becomes even more urgent.

“If your device is offline, and you know it’s been stolen, you can set it to wipe all the data when it comes back online. Some phones also allow you to trigger an alarm sound remotely, which may scare off the thief,” said Bernard Montel, Technical Director and Security Strategist at Tenable (EMEA), speaking to Gulf News.

Smartphones today hold more than just contacts – they are the repository for photos, memories, conversations, and sensitive data. Montel advises that users should back up their data regularly to avoid permanent loss.

He also recommends setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional protection against unauthorised access.

“If you haven’t done it already, set up 2FA to secure your accounts. Choose a second device for authentication if possible, this way, you retain control even if someone tries to reset your password. Regular backups are essential,” Montel said.

According to American mulitinational cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, attackers managed to extract data within a day of system compromise in nearly 45 per cent of cases recorded in 2024. This highlights how important it is to act quickly if your phone is lost or stolen.

Cybersecurity experts recommend the following key actions after a phone is lost or stolen:

“Also, if you use mobile banking applications, it’s smart to immediately notify your bank to monitor for fraudulent transactions. For work-related applications such as Microsoft Outlook, it’s important to check the enterprise security settings to ensure no sensitive information has been compromised,” Haider Pasha, Chief Security Officer at Palo Alto Networks, EMEA and LATAM, said.

To further reduce risks, ensure your phone is encrypted, operating system updated, and protected with trusted security apps. These tools can detect and block threats before they cause harm.

Avoid connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks. If you must, use a VPN to encrypt your connection. Your device settings should prompt you before connecting to any new network. “If you’re on public Wi-Fi, avoid checking sensitive information like bank accounts or emails. If necessary, use mobile data instead,” added Pasha.

Most smartphones today allow you to remotely lock or wipe your data. For iPhones, you can do this via Find My iPhone through iCloud. Android users can use Find My Device to locate, lock or erase the phone.

Karthik Anandarao, Chief Technical Evangelist at ManageEngine, recommends regular password updates for accounts linked to your phone, especially for email, banking and social media.

“Use different passwords for different apps. A password vault app can help you manage them efficiently and even remind you to update them,” he said. Apple and Google both offer built-in password managers, making it easier to store and generate strong passwords.

Losing your phone is stressful, especially if you hadn’t activated any tracking or security features. But even without those precautions, there are still effective steps you can take to limit potential damage.

“Contact your mobile carrier right away to suspend your number and prevent any misuse of calls, texts, or data,” said Ezzeldin Hussein, Regional Senior Director, Solution Engineering, META at SentinelOne.

It's also crucial to immediately change the passwords for any critical accounts you were signed into on your device, including email, banking, and social media platforms.

Use another device to log into major platforms, such as Google, Apple and Facebook and sign out of all active sessions through the account settings. This helps ensure that anyone with access to your phone cannot continue using those services.

Notify your bank and credit card providers so they can monitor for unusual or suspicious transactions. If your lost phone had access to work-related data or apps, it’s important to inform your employer as well.

“While you may not be able to track the phone, you can still report the device’s IMEI number to your carrier or the police. This can help blacklist the phone and prevent it from being used by someone else,” Hussein added.

He also emphasised that while losing a device without protection can be a tough experience, it offers an opportunity to build better digital habits.

If this experience has caught you off guard, consider it a wake-up call to adopt safer practices moving forward. Begin by ensuring your device is encrypted and protected by a strong screen lock. Enable cloud backups so you won’t lose your valuable data if your phone is misplaced or stolen.

“Always back up important data to your cloud, depending on your phone model and OS. Keep your phone screen locked and enable multi-layered security using biometrics and passkeys,” said Anandarao.

Regular maintenance and good digital hygiene can go a long way in protecting your phone from future threats. This includes:

“Consider using a mobile security solution that provides real-time, on-device protection against phishing, malware, and unauthorised access—even when the phone is offline,” Hussein suggested.

He added, “The best time to prepare for loss or theft is before it happens. A few proactive steps today can save you from a major crisis tomorrow.”