Missing Android Tablet - security concerns.

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LostSheep

2013-01-23 10:11 AM

Master

2327

North Alabama

Subject: Missing Android Tablet - security concerns.

So one of two things happened to my android based tablet on Monday and now I'm starting to worry it may be gone.

Monday morning, it was on the kitchen table (0600) as we were getting the kids out of the door for school. I specifically remember my 2.5yr old asking to play puzzles on it, so I closed it to keep her from seeing it.

After that, who knows.

Either she relocated it because I said no, or I moved it and have no idea where. Worst case scenario is I put it on top of the car as I was loading her and drove off with it on top.

Either way, I could use some help on locating or "bricking" it. The device is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (wifi only).

1. I use google's 2 step security authentication. The tablet has it's own 16 digit passcode to access any of my google items. I have remote access to revoke the rights and render it without an associated google account. By doing so, ALL of the linked programs that I have would be broken. (Good: If I find it, I can re-establish a new passcode and resurect the device.)

2. I also have a 4 digit passcode for a screenlock. After 3 attempts, the device goes to sleep for 1hr and will let you try again.

Downside to #1 & #2. If I revoke the access rights, and someone other than me finds it, they could essentially root it and route it to their google account and have a free tablet.

3. I did not have the gps enabled. It drains battery if left on all the time. I turned it on, did the mapping necessary, saved what I needed, turned off the gps.

4. The battery was at approximatly 60% as of Monday. That would be good for about 2 days of heavy use, maybe 3 if it's not accessing a wifi network.

5. I'm led to believe that wherever it is, it is not on a wifi network. I have gone to the google play store, sent an app to the device and I can see that it's in the download queue. It normally would be downloaded and installed instantly if it were sitting within my wifi network area.

6. I have gone into my samsung account and activated the "track me" program. However, it cannot be found. This could be because of a dead battery or because it is not logged onto a wifi network.

7. Lastly, there is nothing vital on the device. The most on the device would be some pictures taken with the camera, but those are also pushed to my google photos cloud. Most of the items on the tablet are linked to the cloud so there is no lost data.

I'm still combing the house in random places but I'm at the point now where I feel like a police report for lost item would be in order. I know it won't do much, but if it turns up at a pawn shop would I be able to have my merchandise returned to me?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

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