Thwarting the iThiefs

The theft of iPhones and iPads is so widespread it's known as "Apple picking."

But Apple devices aren't the only targets. Nearly one in three robberies nationwide involves the theft of a mobile phone, according to the Federal Communications Commission. The problem is so severe in their cities that San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman this summer convened a "smartphone summit" to urge the smartphone industry to implement technological solutions to thwart the robberies.

Now some makers of wireless mobile devices, notably Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., are taking steps to fight back against the thieves.

Apple's new iOS 7 mobile operating system, includes a security feature called Activation Lock that automatically works with the free Find My iPhone feature. Find My iPhone is built into iOS 7 and can be enabled in Settings.

Activation Lock basically ties your devices to your Apple ID. Criminals who steal phones typically "wipe" the devices clean so they can resell them. Now any thief who wants to turn off Find My iPhone, erase the device, or reset the device will be required to enter the Apple ID and password.

Supporters of such security measures say they will discourage thieves from stealing phones because they will not be able to sell them.

Alex Castro, who lives in Oakland, Calif., started spreading the word about Activation Lock as a community service as soon as it came out in October.

Castro notes that Activation Lock won't stop someone from robbing you for your phone. But it will discourage thefts, he says, by making stolen phones "nearly worthless."

Activation Lock also has won praise from law enforcement officials.

"This is an important first step toward ending the global epidemic of smartphone theft," Gascon said in a statement.

His office is urging iPhone users in San Francisco to download iOS 7, and hopes that other manufacturers will follow Apple's lead.

Samsung partners with Absolute Software, which sells device tracking and recovery software and services for PCs, laptops and mobile devices. Samsung's Galaxy S4 smartphone includes Absolute software that allows owners to remotely delete files and lock down the stolen device, rendering it useless to thieves.