• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

tracking down nexus 7

zeos

zeos

Member
someone broke into my apartment yesterday and stole a bunch of stuff. I changed my passwords within 20 minutes of getting home and I checked the device manager locator thing, but it couldn't find it. I also sent a lockout password to it. some time this afternoon the nexus 7 disappeared from my device list. when I called google they said that they could do anything since it was no longer in my device list. Im sure this a futile question, but is there any way to track the thing down?
 
If it's already off of your account you're pretty much SOL. Every solution I know of involves purchasing an app and installing remotely, but if it's not in your list of devices you can't do that. Whoever took it knew what to do fast unfortunately.
 
ImDonly1 said:
Next time
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus

You can install it invisibly, so it doesn't show up in the app list (or with a different name).

Also, you can set it so it can't be un-installed even after a factory reset. Only way to get rid of it is if you know the password or flash a new rom. It has a lot of cool features too (taking pics, recording texts or phone calls, etc).
Click to expand...

I would also consider preyproject.com - I have both installed.
 
ImDonly1 said:
Next time
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus

You can install it invisibly, so it doesn't show up in the app list (or with a different name).

Also, you can set it so it can't be un-installed even after a factory reset. Only way to get rid of it is if you know the password or flash a new rom. It has a lot of cool features too (taking pics, recording texts or phone calls, etc).
Click to expand...

+1, I'm a Cerberus user and it's probably the best anti-theft App out there IMO. Fortunately I haven't actually had to use it in a real situation but the features are very powerful.
 
zeos said:
someone broke into my apartment yesterday and stole a bunch of stuff. I changed my passwords within 20 minutes of getting home and I checked the device manager locator thing, but it couldn't find it. I also sent a lockout password to it. some time this afternoon the nexus 7 disappeared from my device list. when I called google they said that they could do anything since it was no longer in my device list. Im sure this a futile question, but is there any way to track the thing down?
Click to expand...
Doesn't changing password break the login on your device? I noticed that almost everyone recommends this first, but essentially your device gets cut off from Google.

If anything, I'd recommend NOT changing your password. Most thieves are out there to grab your device for a quick sale. They could care less your email has critical information.

I've tried helping multiple people now to recover their devices, and it's almost always fruitless given they change their passwords before consulting me.

If you really think your e-mail has something too critical, I'd change it, like national secrets, fortune 500 secrets, etc.
 
Last edited:
DLeRium said:
Doesn't changing password break the login on your device? I noticed that almost everyone recommends this first, but essentially your device gets cut off from Google.

If anything, I'd recommend NOT changing your password. Most thieves are out there to grab your device for a quick sale. They could care less your email has critical information.

I've tried helping multiple people now to recover their devices, and it's almost always fruitless given they change their passwords before consulting me.

If you really think your e-mail has something too critical, I'd change it, like national secrets, fortune 500 secrets, etc.
Click to expand...

for this reason I always keep a dummy account on the phone as well. I can use it for remote app installs/tracking even if I deactivate my main account. I also use cerberus.
 
DLeRium said:
Doesn't changing password break the login on your device? I noticed that almost everyone recommends this first, but essentially your device gets cut off from Google.

If anything, I'd recommend NOT changing your password. Most thieves are out there to grab your device for a quick sale. They could care less your email has critical information.

I've tried helping multiple people now to recover their devices, and it's almost always fruitless given they change their passwords before consulting me.

If you really think your e-mail has something too critical, I'd change it, like national secrets, fortune 500 secrets, etc.
Click to expand...

I'd never heard of changing your account password. Using the Device Manager to remotely apply a lock code would have been better. Remote wipe if it came down to it.

I have both the device manager and cerberus on my phone, and just the device manager on my tablet. I might go ahead and put cerberus on my tablet as well.
 
Thanks for the ideas, I will definitely look into that stuff for my phone. I was checking the device manager all night and all morning, but then I had to go on a service call and sure enough those couple of hours were when the dirt bag decided to go online.

edit:
sweenish said:
I'd never heard of changing your account password. Using the Device Manager to remotely apply a lock code would have been better. Remote wipe if it came down to it.
Click to expand...

I meant I changed my google password so they couldn't get into my email and what not. I sent a lock code that night before it had come online again, I guess they must have done a complete reset to get around that maybe?
 
Last edited:
zeos said:
Thanks for the ideas, I will definitely look into that stuff for my phone. I was checking the device manager all night and all morning, but then I had to go on a service call and sure enough those couple of hours were when the dirt bag decided to go online.

edit:


I meant I changed my google password so they couldn't get into my email and what not. I sent a lock code that night before it had come online again, I guess they must have done a complete reset to get around that maybe?
Click to expand...

I know what you meant. The lock code keeps them out of the device, which keeps them out of your email.

I don't know if Device Manager can survive a reset. I would hope it can, since it does have admin access. Cerberus can. I have no idea if Plan B can or not, either.

Still, I feel for you. I hate that this is the world we live in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top