There is nothing more panic-inducing than losing a device. Even with most of our data residing on the cloud nowadays, we might worry about our data getting into the wrong hands more than the stolen device itself.
While it can be quite cumbersome to track it, you could be in luck if you have Dropbox installed on your stolen device.
But how can Dropbox help locate a lost or stolen device?
How Can Dropbox Help You Track a Stolen Device?
One great feature of Dropbox is that it logs your IP address every single time you log in.
Furthermore, your last used IP address is also displayed in your Dropbox account which can be the biggest clue in trying to locate your device.
What this means is that anytime whoever has the device tries to log into Dropbox through your stolen device, you can track their IP address by logging into your Dropbox account from another machine and look for the last used IP address.
That last used IP address can unravel the thief's login location and their internet service provider as well.
How To Locate Your Stolen Device Through Dropbox
Next time you lose a laptop or smartphone, follow these steps and you might end up locating your device in no time.
- Go to dropbox.com and sign in to your account.
- Click your avatar.
- Click Settings.
- Click Security.
- Hover over the question mark icon next to the device to see the last recorded IP address. The IP address gets updated whenever a device you've signed into connects to the internet.
Note: The location information isn't always accurate as some IP addresses might be linked to the wrong country. If there is a country mismatch then you can confirm the IP address by using any online IP address lookup tool.
Take Precautions Sooner Rather Than Later
While tracking your lost device through Dropbox can be helpful, it's more important to ensure that your device does not get lost or stolen in the first place.
Your best defense against device theft is to take proactive measures. You could install anti-stealth software such as Prey, or activate Find My iPhone, always keep your devices in sight, and keep doors closed so no one can grab anything from your home or vehicle. These are all precautions you can take ahead of time to prevent your devices from getting lost.
However, if your device gets stolen even after taking those steps, know that tracking the IP address through Dropbox can only get you so far. You would still have to file a police report, send a subpoena to that IP address's internet provider, and find out where they're located, which could all take a long time and effort.