Wouldn't it be cool to have a self-destruct "app"

[DesiPower]

I was just reading Google's mobile pay service and wondering that we have SOOOO much personal data in our cell phones, from mobile banking and all... wouldn't it be cool to have a self-destruct "app". So I call the phone from any other phone and dial the self destruct code and it will erase the internal, external memory and crash the firmware for good... maybe even overheat the battery.. That way if I am 100% sure that my phone is stolen, I can at least keep my identity safe. It should be at some internal level so that even if its turned off, it will still work, only way to get around it is to take the battery out.

So what do you think? should I patent the idea? :biggrin:

 

[sonicdrummer20]

Didn't suicide bombers already corner the market on this one?

 

[Jeff7]

I'm sure this would never be abused...

 

[zCypher]

Good idea.

 

[nick1985]

Get Prey

 

[Duder1no]

I like it

make it happen

 

[coxmaster]

I was just reading Google's mobile pay service and wondering that we have SOOOO much personal data in our cell phones, from mobile banking and all... wouldn't it be cool to have a self-destruct "app". So I call the phone from any other phone and dial the self destruct code and it will erase the internal, external memory and crash the firmware for good... maybe even overheat the battery.. That way if I am 100% sure that my phone is stolen, I can at least keep my identity safe. It should be at some internal level so that even if its turned off, it will still work, only way to get around it is to take the battery out.

So what do you think? should I patent the idea? :biggrin:

They already make apps that wipe all data and on certain phones will reset the firmware..

 

[SunnyD]

should I patent the idea? :biggrin:

I'm sure apple already has.

That said, what's to stop someone from stealing your phone then flashing or wiping it right away?

I mean seriously, most thieves are out for the physical device, not the crap on your phone. If I wanted the crap on your phone, I'd be stealing it without it ever leaving your grubby little paws.

 

[gorcorps]

I believe Apple already has a remote wipe service. At one point it required subscription to their MobileMe or something service but it might be free now IIRC.

Either way, it exits already. And you thought you were so clever.

 

[Patranus]

I was reading somewhere about cpus that can be permanently disabled via software.
Let me see if I can find it.

 

[QueBert]

Android phones can be killed if you shut them off when updating the radio, from what I've read it works 100% of the time. Perhaps someone could write a program that will start a radio update then automatically reboot the phone 1/2 way thru. I bricked my new EVO last week from a failed radio update. After it wouldn't turn on, wouldn't charge, nothing.