[hayden]

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.

[Read More]

[j llama]

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]

I want this

[N8DBB]

Has anyone ever dealt with this company though?

No trial?

[hayden]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

WHAT ABOUT us CDMA customers?

JE

[jonnyxedge]

~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.

[curve247]

Originally Posted by The SPCS Guy WHAT ABOUT us CDMA customers? JE

Im with you. I would put this on my BB if it would work, but without a SIM card for regular use im left out in the cold. hopefully in the future.

[MonsterLai]

wonder if they going to launch the iphone anti theft software at macworld.

[jrockett]

Originally Posted by The SPCS Guy WHAT ABOUT us CDMA customers? JE

The CDMA phones use the Sprint way :D

[DriftorX]

This is a great idea for the BB. As far as the license goes. Does anyone know if its device transferable?

[MonsterLai]

No it is not transferable as it work on the IMEI number of the BB. My boss being the cheapo asked if we can just buy 1 copy for everyone! Really shameful to be with him when the sales person was doing demostration.

[DriftorX]

what i meant is that if i was to purchase the license for my pearl now. Butif i was to get rid of my pearl and buy a new bb model. would i be able to transfer to my new bb?

[Sci-Tek]

for 25$ thats quite a nice safetynet to have

Looks really interresting, and I'm guessing it will be very popular in the future.

[MonsterLai]

Originally Posted by DriftorX what i meant is that if i was to purchase the license for my pearl now. Butif i was to get rid of my pearl and buy a new bb model. would i be able to transfer to my new bb?

No, you will have to buy a new copy but then again you can make that money from selling your pearl with that software since can add unlimited numbers of sim cards too.

[cwaturner]

So what's the Sprint way?~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

[Amigotek]

Originally Posted by The SPCS Guy WHAT ABOUT us CDMA customers? JE

You guys have the advantage that once your unit is reported stolen it is unusable until you report back that you retrieved it. Software on it to notify you would be worthless since it is not activatable any longer and useable only as parts.

Zo

[kelli67]

As a person who recently had my car, my more importantly my BB stolen, this is awesome. Thanks Hayden!

[EB]

Originally Posted by cwaturner So what's the Sprint way?~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

SO WHAT'S THE SPRINT WAY?

[mbranscum]

Originally Posted by EB SO WHAT'S THE SPRINT WAY?

Look at post #5 in this thread.

[mbranscum]

It says not available for the Curve yet, but it uses a picture of a Curve as an example!?

Hayden, I notice you said you were getting this. Are you going to try it on your listed Curve? If so, let us know how it goes.

[MonsterLai]

I think the curve is the receiver from the pearl where the software is installed.

[mrobins]

Has anyone actually had their phone stolen and used this to get their phone back?

Someone steals your phone, you call them and say "Give me my phone back!"

They know they've stolen you're phone and either:

A) its useless to them because you were smart enough to enable pw protection because you're security-conscious and you bought this program...

or

B) they realize you've got some kind of loJack on your phone so they wipe it and erase the program

Either way, my guess is that person ditches the phone because if they were honest in the first place they would have figured out who you are and tried to give it back rather than put their SIM in it. They probably won't want to face the person whose phone they clearly tried to jack.

Also, would the police help in a situation like this? If you gave them the phone # would they track it down for you?

In the end, enable the content protection and the password on your phone. Its a pain but if you're worried about someone reading your stuff, this will keep it safe. In the end, if you lose your phone or its stolen, theres a good chance you'll never see it again so backup often.

[RemyKirin]

In the end the cops are no help on this kind of stuff, all they do is make a report, they even tell you they won't do anything cuz " there is more important crimes out there". protect and serve my @$$! best security in the end is content protection, with pasword, regular backups and a lost or stolen plan add on through your carrier.

But if nothing else with this software you could always hunt the guy down and always engage in some vigilante justice lol ;-)
Blackberryman with get my revenge lmao!
~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

[mbranscum]

Originally Posted by RemyKirin In the end the cops are no help on this kind of stuff, all they do is make a report, they even tell you they won't do anything cuz " there is more important crimes out there". protect and serve my @$$! ~

This is exactly how some officers (like myself) get a bad name. Making blanket accusations about a certain profession on this board is not productive. As a detective in a larger Metro area I can tell you that a lot of emphasis on many cell phone reports is not given higher priority because many are under this type of scenario: "Umm, I lost my cell phone and AT&T told me to come file a report so I can collect on my insurance." I can tell you that if I take a report on a cell phone (or any other thing for that matter) and have some sort of lead to follow up on, I will investigate the matter. If you subscribed to a sevice like the OP is talking about, that would be of great help to the police in an investigation.

Mike

[RemyKirin]

Originally Posted by mbranscum This is exactly how some officers (like myself) get a bad name. Making blanket accusations about a certain profession on this board is not productive. As a detective in a larger Metro area I can tell you that a lot of emphasis on many cell phone reports is not given higher priority because many are under this type of scenario: "Umm, I lost my cell phone and AT&T told me to come file a report so I can collect on my insurance." I can tell you that if I take a report on a cell phone (or any other thing for that matter) and have some sort of lead to follow up on, I will investigate the matter. If you subscribed to a sevice like the OP is talking about, that would be of great help to the police in an investigation. Mike

Um yeah, I still stand by what I said because I have had my phone stolen and even knew who stole it and where it was and told this to the cops, which btw I was there to get them to do something, NOT for phone insurance, cuz I didn't have any then. And they told me that they never follow up on that and that was the reason. So it may be different where you live but that's the hard truth where I live.

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~


EDIT: Believe me if you really are the way you say you are then I am thankful that there are some cops out there that still believe in what they do, and have real commitment.