Back up your phone or tablet data frequently: If you're using some flavor of Android, remember that Google backs up most of the basic phone and tablet data (contact lists, email messages, app purchases) and stores it online for you. Focus on backing up photos, videos, and any documents or files you may have downloaded; those items generally aren't synced to Google's servers, so it's up to you to keep regular backups.

A good app for safeguarding your entire device is ($5), which backs up every file on your gadget and saves it to your SD Card or to an online storage service. If you save the backup data to an SD Card, make sure to keep the card in a safe place, and don't use it as your primary storage. That way, if your device disappears forever, you can just plug the SD Card into your new gadget and restore all of your lost information.

iOS owners have it slightly easier. Every time you sync your iPhone or iPad to iTunes, you create a backup of your device on your computer. The backups contain all of your app data, as well as your settings, pictures, music, movies, and books. Restoring an iDevice is as easy as plugging it in and selecting Restore. , which Apple had not yet released as we went to press with this issue, should automatically sync your phone or tablet via iCloud, Apple's upcoming personal online storage service. Until iCloud arrives, you will have to sync your data manually.

If the worst does happen and you lose your phone, tablet, or laptop, don't panic. Just take a deep breath, and then follow these steps to hunt it down and protect yourself.