Free ways to recover your lost phone or laptop

It’s a familiar feeling deep in the pit of your stomach. You’re driving down the road and realize your smartphone is missing. Or you’re in the airport, and you just realized you left your laptop or iPad behind as you were rushing to the gate.

First, you think of the expense. But then the larger problem begins to come into focus. Your phone or laptop is full of information that is incredibly valuable to you and difficult to replace. And, worse yet, your lost item could very easily fall into the wrong hands. Then you become vulnerable to identity theft.

Fortunately, there are free apps and programs that can help in this situation. With these downloads, your data can remain safe until you are able–hopefully–to track your device down and have it safely back in your possession.

By Kim Komando, Special for USA TODAY

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/story/2011-11-11/how-to-find-lost-smartphones/51158506/1