This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube video titled "Cell Phone Thefts On The Rise @McAfeeConsumer" (King 5 news segment) published October 26, 2012. The excerpt is a news report by Zahid Arab about rising smartphone and cell phone thefts in cities (Seattle, San Francisco, New York), featuring on-the-street interviewees (including Tekla Waterfield and several other speakers) and security commentary from Robert Siciliano. The piece describes incidents, theft trends, and offers safety advice such as hiding devices, using password locks, and installing software to locate, lock, or wipe stolen phones.
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They are small, they are very easy to steal, and just about all of us have one— cell phones or smartphones. And they contain lots of personal information that can be turned against you by a crook. And cell phone thefts are on the rise. King 5's Zahid Arab tonight showing us this dangerous trend, new at 11.
Security experts call cell phone theft a growing epidemic across the country, including here in Seattle. Recently it's happened numerous times in the U District and just yesterday in South Seattle. For criminals, it's becoming too easy. Walking down the street, there's a common denominator.
Pretty much everyone is on a phone or iPad, iPod.
For criminals, plenty of temptation for the taking. Cell phones, especially smartphones these days, give you the ability to bank, paycheck, how much money I can actually spend and justify spending, and do just about anything in the palm of your hands.
Remember that your smartphone is in fact a tiny computer, one that stores a lot of your personal identifying information, including usernames and passwords, banking information, often credit card information.
For thieves, smartphones are becoming a priority. In San Francisco, nearly half of all robberies this year are cell phone related. They account for more than 40% of robberies in New York and in Seattle.
They broke the window, the door, like they really tried hard to get in just for the cell phone.
It's an issue too. It happened at Tekla Waterfield.
You know, at any time, some crazy person could come along and just change your life.
She lives in South Seattle where a man was robbed and beaten while walking down the street early in the morning Friday. They took his cell phone and iPad and haven't been caught. Enjoy going out to the park. People are now taking precautions.
I'm not on my phone except for, you know, very rare occasions when I'm out in public. Even though it may be your everything.
Put that phone away for a 10-minute walk. It's not worth getting mugged for a cell phone.
Security experts say don't give thieves a reason to target you. Hide your electronics, especially when you're by yourself. Put a password lock on your phone and install software that allows you to lock, locate, and wipe your device if it's stolen. In the Digital Media Center, Zahid Arab, King 5 News.
