PhoneBAK - New software helps get stolen BlackBerry back.

**hayden** · #1 01-08-2008 -

Developer site: http://bak2u.com/phonebakBB.php

Singapore-based company BAK2u reckons that it has a way of helping BlackBerry users get their phone back if it's lost. It has launched the PhoneBAK BB software, a Java application that checks the SIM card in a BlackBerry device, alerting the rightful owner if a foreign one is inserted.

This seems to be the first one designed specifically for BlackBerry devices. A good move, considering that those who need to have their email inbox with them all the time should rightly be more concerned about security than the average Joe.

PhoneBAK BB does just one task. It runs at startup to check the SIM card, and sends an email or SMS message to a pre-set contact if the SIM card is not an authorized one. The owner of the device and software will determine which SIM card(s) are approved and what number/address the text message or email gets sent out to.

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**j llama** · #2 01-08-2008 -

hmm, interesting. Almost the opposite of enabling SIM card security on the BB which keeps others from using your SIM in another device.

Good idea

**hayden** · #3 01-08-2008 -

I want this

N8DBB · #4 01-08-2008 -

Has anyone ever dealt with this company though?

No trial?

**hayden** · #5 01-08-2008 -

installing now.

They've been in the media quite a lot:
http://bak2u.com/index.php (scroll)

They will also be at the Macworld expo Jan 14-18, 2008 Booth S-1338

THere's always the good ole' Sprint way of security:

swbtsboy · #6 01-08-2008 -

I went to the site and it said it was not suitable for phones locked to a network (Such as AT&T). Does that make it unusable for most of us? I'm still a noob to this stuff. Splain to me Lucy.

RemyKirin · #7 01-08-2008 -

As a concept that is really awesome, however what if the person that steals the blackberry, puts their sim card in and they don't have a data plan some carriers wont allow you to even send a sms if you don't it on the plan, I know that that its a long shot that the particular situation would happen but if that was the case it would be rather easy to circumvent the program and uninstall it, or even turning on the phone and doing a wipe before putting a sim in. But I guess even a lil possibility of a lil extra safety is better than none, I would say tho that the password and content protection, are still the best safety for those of you that haven't enabled it yet.

RemyKirin · #8 01-08-2008 -

Quote:

Originally Posted by swbtsboy

I went to the site and it said it was not suitable for phones locked to a network (Such as AT&T). Does that make it unusable for most of us? I'm still a noob to this stuff. Splain to me Lucy.

As for that it means if you havent had your blackberry unlocked from your current service provider, it's not suitable. Usually you would've had to had your carrier send you an unlock code or paid a service to unlock for you, if you haven't had either of these, then odds are you are still locked to that carrier.

MonsterLai · #9 01-08-2008 -

I was using the Pda version from this company bak2u and later when our management decided to all change to blackberry, I signed up for the newsletter and got the notice that it is now available.

Using is on my pearl now, quite smart idea. Even if the thief do not have a data plan the sms alert can still get sent out like normal.

The SPCS Guy · #10 01-08-2008 -

WHAT ABOUT us CDMA customers?

JE

**jonnyxedge** · #11 01-08-2008 -

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~oh man that's awesome. That's pretty interesting. I alos here cdma carriers will be switching to gsm /cdma phones like verizon. Should be happening probably mid this year.