Have you ever wondered how to track a cell phone? Perhaps you are worried that someone may be tracking your mobile. With the advances and great advances in cellular technology, we already know that we are being tracked. Obviously, a mobile phone company knows exactly where you are at all times. Well, at least they know where your cell phone is. Apple, Inc was scrutinized by the media for tracking and keeping a record of all iPhone users. Many people feared that they were being followed on their phone due to Apple’s breach of privacy.
Tracking a mobile device is achieved through the use of a global positioning system, or better known as GPS.
A GPS or GPRS can easily track any mobile. Phone apps have reached the technological point where GPS tracks your every move. Your phone connects directly to the satellite and transmits your location to it. If you want to track a cellular device, just install the software. The software is designed to track a lost or stolen cell phone. If you track someone else’s mobile, it may be illegal. At a minimum, most would call it unethical. (But law enforcers do that, sometimes even crossing boundaries.)
If you want to track a cell phone, you will need to buy one with GPS tracker enabled first. Around 80% of phones on the market are enabled. You will need to find a cell phone service provider that allows tracking. There are specific GPS tracking plans, intended primarily for parents and employers that can help you easily learn how to track a cell phone location from your own cordless phone or PC.
You can also track cells online. These cell phone tracking programs are Mobile Locator from Sprint/Nextel, Family Locator from Verizon, and Family Map from AT&T. Cellular tracking services usually cost around $10-$15 per month, not inconsiderable when added to all the other costs of a mobile phone plan. Using a tracking software to track a cell phone can give you peace of mind in the form of real-time, interactive location maps on your phone or online.
The Google Latitude program uses a tracker mapping program that uses cell phone towers to locate users who have approved you to track them. Other similar map-based cell phone locator apps (most of which are based on GPS cell phone tracking) include Mologogo, Buddyway, and Instamapper.
Before you start tracking a cell phone with GPS or a software program, you need to consider the consequences. Whether you learn to track your cell phone, or someone else’s phone, by accessing your phone’s location, you are also allowing others to access your phone’s whereabouts. Therefore, you must be careful when using any type of cell phone tracker. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when tracking a phone.
Be aware of the risks of trying to track a mobile phone. As EFF’s Jeschke points out: “Cell phone tracking location data doesn’t go away when you’re done with it.” In fact, he says that mobile device location tracking can even be subpoenaed and used in divorce or custody hearings. He adds that it’s not hard to imagine that cell phone location services, such as GPS tracking and other tracking software, could be misused. For example, an abusive spouse may try to find out which domestic violence shelters her partner is in by tracking her phone. To protect against unwanted invasions of privacy and prevent people from tracking your cell phone, Jeschke recommends turning off location services on your phone unless he absolutely needs them.
Tracking a cell phone means invading privacy. There are pirate programs and illegal software that give you the full benefit of tracking a cell phone. These programs may contain viruses or spyware. Just like a computer can be tracked, a cell phone can be tracked as well. If you are worried about someone trying to track your cell phone, you can turn off GPS which is usually found in system options. If you are trying to track a cell phone illegally, then the consequences are possible prosecution for hacking. It is recommended to stay in the legal realm, such as online services to try to track a cell phone.