Can the Garda track an IP address?

munkifisht

I had my phone stolen over the weekend, it's a HTC desire, and I have just realised how connected it is to everything about me. I was on Gmail and just had the thought that maybe the phone was still active with my account and looked at the Account Activity, and sure enough, for at least the past two hours (it only shows the last 10 IP requests) there's been a strange IP address pinging my GMail account every 30 mins for at least the past two hours. I was on to O2 and they said the IP address couldn't be theirs, cos as soon as the phone is reported stolen they blacklist it. Doing a quick IP search I found that the address is registered to Digiweb.

I am not sure what the data protection laws say, but do the Garda have the power to track this IP further?

ted1

even if they did. They wouldn't go to such bother for a lost phone.

thomasjad

You've got nothing to lose by going to them and this person may have stolen alot more phones than just yours. The gards would have to go through digiweb so not sure if they need a warrant or something first but it's possible.

Dermot Illogical

munkifisht wrote: »

...but do the Garda have the power to track this IP further?

Yes, if you report it.

thomasjad

If you get the phone back you might want to look into getting 'wavesecure' for it, lets you remotely turn on the gps and it sends you the location

Nothingbetter2d

munkifisht wrote: »

I had my phone stolen over the weekend, it's a HTC desire, and I have just realised how connected it is to everything about me. I was on Gmail and just had the thought that maybe the phone was still active with my account and looked at the Account Activity, and sure enough, for at least the past two hours (it only shows the last 10 IP requests) there's been a strange IP address pinging my GMail account every 30 mins for at least the past two hours. I was on to O2 and they said the IP address couldn't be theirs, cos as soon as the phone is reported stolen they blacklist it. Doing a quick IP search I found that the address is registered to Digiweb.

I am not sure what the data protection laws say, but do the Garda have the power to track this IP further?

if you had where's my droid app installed yes u can track it via gps otheriwise your screwed....reset all passwords

Overheal

If you report it they have the ability to do so, yes. Digiweb has to be able to track which IP address it leases to which client. Even on a Dynamic IP if you log the Time and the IP they can see who was using the IP at the time.

Very many good stories stateside of people lowjacking their phones/laptops with security apps and getting them tracked down by the cops.

whoever said its just a phone: a smartphone is hundreds of euros and like the OP says is a tie into your life. You could almost get away with identity fraud. not just petty theft.

mach1982

Handy app for android phones Where's my Droid It on the market , will give you exact GPS coordinate of the phone .

Inquitus

mach1982 wrote: »

Handy app for android phones Where's my Droid It on the market , will give you exact GPS coordinate of the phone .

You can auto install it from the google market - https://market.android.com/search?q=wheres+my+droid&c=apps

Worth a go.

James G

A few people are suggesting apps, so here's something that I recommend:
http://preyproject.com/

It's free and open source.

Abelloid

Inquitus wrote: »

You can auto install it from the google market - https://market.android.com/search?q=wheres+my+droid&c=apps

Worth a go.

That remote install is pretty handy, just tried it, shame the app needs to be set up first. But there might be another that doesn't...

EDIT: Actually just text 'GPS My droid' to your phone

finbarrk

is there an app for the iphone that can track it if it gets lost anyone?

Pangea

Pity you didn't have the Prey application.

Snowbat

@finbarrk http://techpp.com/2009/09/18/6-ways-to-find-track-lost-stolen-iphone-free/

@munkifisht Any update?

rolion

i had my son with "knife at his throat & kicked" few weeks ago,called the 911when he arrived home hurt and shaked,spoke to a woman officer (i guess alone,with no kids at home),and asked to track the phone...she started giving me lesson on how to control my tone and my voice !!!

i reckon is pointless to involve them after a phone ... forget it !

now ,i am using this one .
also,very efficient is this one too !!
both ,on Android,are perfect !!!

meoklmrk91

Had the same thing happen to me with my iPhone last year, rushed home and changed all my passwords. Got another one a couple of weeks later.

murrayp4

Exactly the same thing happened me...phone stolen. Got the IP address from the gmail activity and passed it on to the coppers with serial number etc. Absolutely nothing done 1 year later.

fionny

Ireland is too lazy to do this, its sad really as it encourages the thieves to keep it up.

In Aus my brothers Sat Nav was stolen from his car, the police dusted the broken glass and car for prints, id'ed the thieves, prosecuted them, imprisoned them for 3 months plus damages... result.

All you can do really is change all passwords associated with your phone, next phone you get install tracking / remote wipe software.