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If you look at all of the personal data stored on your iPhone, you may get scared. That loseable, droppable and forgettable item can hold a surprising amount of your private information. Your phone numbers, e-mail account, and web history are just the beginning. If you have an online banking app, Paypal or a budget tracker, your fiscal information will be up for grabs. If you have a Twitter or Facebook app, then a bevy of personal information is available both from your posts and your profile.

This all means it is probably a good idea to take some steps to protect your data, just in case your phone goes AWOL. These apps can help you out.

Security System

Seller: Sticky Ice Games LLC
Compatibility: iPhone or iPod Touch
Requirements: iPhone OS 3.0 or higher
File Size:
Price: $0.99
Age Rating: 4+

If you are concerned your phone will be stolen, then setting this alarm will help you to deter a thief since everyone in a six block radius will hear the phone as it is being walked away.

This application works under a very simple premise.

1. You set the alarm by arming the application.
2. You leave the phone on a counter, or in your bag while you go to get a latte or find the book that you want.
3. A would-be thief finds his way to the iPhone and attempts to take it from you.
4. The thief moves the phone.
5. When it moves the application triggers an alarm.
6. You and everyone else looks at the person who is trying to steal your phone.

The alarm is quite loud. Shouldn’t be too hard to find the phone now if the thief chooses to run away with your phone. The odds are, however, that he will simply drop your phone and run away, leaving you to pick it up and disarm the application. 

GPS Thief Tracker Private I

Seller: Michael Schneider
Compatibility: iPhone
Requirements: iPhone OS 3.0 or higher
File Size: 0.7MB
Price: $0.99
Age Rating: 4+

Once your phone is lost, you will want to get it back. Sure, you might be able to physically replace the phone, but you also need to consider the value of the data that is on the original phone: the contact information of everyone that you have in the address book, the access to your email that has been set up through the mail application, your web browsing history, any banking or Paypal applications you have put on (and used), all of your photos and videos, etc. That may not sound like a great deal of data, but it could just be enough to steal your identity with, or make a mess of your personal life with some unsuitable texts.

This app will give you a GPS location on your phone so that local law enforcement can recover it. It is nice and simple. All you have to do is sign onto the website that goes with the application. You and your helpful local law enforcement agency will be able to figure out exactly where your phone is without too much fuss. In less then five, you can have the authorities on the way to go and get your phone back for you. This application is also handy if you want to be sure you didn’t drop your phone at the grocery store.

My Secrets

Seller: Konstantin Anoshkin
Compatibility: iPhone or iPod Touch
Requirements: iPhone OS 2.2 or higher
File Size: 0.6 MB
Price: $4.99
Age Rating: 4+

We tend to carry around a lot of information on our phones. As we mentioned above, your phone numbers, email, web browsing, social media site access and even your banking information could be there. If you phone is taken, and for some reason it cannot be tracked (for example the battery has been removed from the phone, shutting off the software), you still need to be sure your data is safe from anyone who would look to take it. This application allows you to store sensitive data and notes behind AES 256-bit encryption. It is not a bulletproof shield, but it will stop most thieves and slow down anyone who is serious about hacking your phone.

This application also has one more very hand feature; it offers you a one-click backup to your Mac or Macbook. That way, even if the unthinkable happens, you will not lose your data. That may not sound like much of a consolation prize, but have you ever tried remaking your entire phone book from memory? Most of us could not do it, at least not with total accuracy.