Have you ever wondered how to track a cell phone? Perhaps you are worried that someone may be tracking your mobile. With the advancements 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 is. Apple, Inc was scrutinized by the media for tracking and keeping track of all iPhone users. Many people feared that they were being followed on their phone due to Apple’s privacy violation.
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 cell 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 the very least, most would call it unethical. (But law enforcers do that, sometimes even crossing the line.)
If you want to track a cell phone, you will first need to purchase one with the GPS tracker enabled. About 80% of the phones in the market are enabled. You will need to find a cell phone service provider that allows tracking. There are specific GPS tracking plans, primarily intended for parents and employers that can help you easily learn how to track a cell phone location from your own wireless 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. Cell tracking services usually cost around $10-$15 per month, not inconsiderable when added to all the other costs of a cell phone plan. Using a tracking program to track a mobile 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 that you can track them. Other similar map-based cell phone locator apps (most of which rely on GPS cell phone tracking) include Mologogo, Buddyway, and Instamapper.
Before you start tracking a GPS cell phone or software program, you should consider the consequences. Whether you learn how 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 need to be careful while using any type of cell phone tracker. Here’s what 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: “Location data from cell phone tracking doesn’t disappear 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, like 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 number. To guard against unwanted invasions of privacy and prevent people from tracking his cell phone, Jeschke recommends turning off location services on his phone unless he absolutely needs it.
Tracking a cell phone means invading privacy. There are pirated 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 also be tracked. If you are concerned that someone is trying to track your cell phone, you can turn off GPS which is usually in the 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.