For many people, their cell phone is one of the most expensive items they own, it is certainly the most valuable possession most people have on them at any given time. Losing a phone does not just mean taking a financial hit, though, it also means that the data you had stored on the device – phone numbers, personal files and more could well fall into the wrong hands. There are various tools available that can be used to track down a misplaced device, and the latest contender to enter the arena is Lookout Mobile Security.

This is a free app that has been available for Android devices for a little while, but it has just been released for iPhone and iPad. At its heart, this is an app that has been designed to reunite you with a lost iPhone or iPad – and this could mean a device that you have left lying around the house, lost while out and about, or even had stolen. With Location Services enabled and an account created with Lookout, you can log into your online account and check the location of your iOS device on a map.

If this is not specific enough for you – if you are turning the house upside down trying to locate an iPhone that has seemingly vanished – you can activate the Scream option. This enables you to sound a siren on your iOS device or even send a voice message to it from any computer with an internet connection. It all works remarkably well, and the fact that it is available for use without subscription is a big plus point.

Lookout Mobile Security can also be used to backup and restore your contacts. This is carried out automatically, and should you ever lose  your mobile, or in some other way become separated from it and discover that contacts have been wiped, or if you simply make an accidental deletion, you can easily restore this data. Other tools of note include alerts when you are connecting to an insecure wireless network or if your device is out of date or jailbroken.

You can find out more and download a free copy of the app by paying a visit to the Lookout Mobile Security review page.