Lost or stolen smartphones can now be easily tracked or recovered using a first-of-its-kind mobile security application launched in Qatar on Thursday.

Knightfox Smart Warranty has been brought to the country by prominent technology enterprise Intertec in partnership with Copperseeds Technologies, a leading Indian mobile security services provider, based at Kinfra Park, Koratty, Kerala.

The mobile security application offers several features that will help in tracking, recovering data and recovering lost units.

"We want to give smartphone users/owners the maximum protection against numerous threats on their gadgets," Copperseeds Technologies managing director and CEO Arun Babu said at the launch event.

Physical, liquid and fire damages, virus attacks, mobile and identity theft, data loss, and high financial cost of servicing are covered by Knightfox Smart Warranty.

The ‘remote locate’ feature instantly tracks and maps where the device is, using GPS or tower location. It reports the approximate location of the device in real time.

In theft mode, the device once reported missing automatically takes a mug shot of the person every time he or she tries to touch the phone’s screen. These images will be saved on the Knightfox anti-theft site (www.knightfox.me).

The app also locks and prevents anyone from accessing files from the phone. Once locked, reset (factory setting) and shutdown features will be deactivated – making it easier to track the device.

Another feature of the app is the ‘remote theft alarm’ which activates a continuous loud ringing even in the silent mode.

“The thief will not be able to turn the handset off, silence or stop the ringing, and hence cannot sell it too,” the CEO noted. The app also automatically locks the device once it detects a sim change besides locking all mobile applications.

A device may also be tracked and recovered by registering its International Mobile Equipment Identity with a centralised lost mobile database, also a feature of Knightfox.

To stop thieves or strangers from getting personal data on a lost device, the ‘confidential data wipe’ remotely wipes the data by an SMS or a command from a web control panel.

Knightfox received a good response from the Indian market where it was first launched, according to the CEO. “People have to keep their gadgets very close with them because it is related to their work and to their family,” he maintained.

The cost varies. For example, a package for a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may range from QR59 to QR240 for one year plus the actual cost of the mobile phone. Customers who buy smartphones from any outlet in Qatar can avail of Knightfox Smart Warranty from Intertec.

For damaged phones, Babu noted that a minimal fee will be charged under the scheme. Asked if users would intentionally damage their smartphones to benefit from the warranty, the official added: “Culprits will be there and we are expecting that but the good people should not suffer because of them.”