If you've ever lost a smartphone, you're well aware that the cost to replace the hardware should be the least of your worries. The data that resides on the smartphone -- including potentially sensitive company information -- isn’t something you want falling into the wrong hands.

Locking a smartphone with a password isn't enough. To really secure phones, many manufacturers and third-party software developers are offering ways to remotely wipe the data from a lost or stolen smartphone.

Or you can see it on a map to retrieve it – though if it's stolen, you should give the information to the authorities rather you trying to handle it yourself.

Here’s what you need if you’re using an iPhone, BlackBerry, Android or Windows Phone 7 device.

iPhone

Find My iPhone (apple.ca) is a free service for iPhone 4 and iPad owners, and is part of the $109/year MobileMe package for iPhone 3G and 3GS users (soon to be replaced with iCloud).

First, register your iPhone by visiting Me.com or by using the free Find My iPhone app. If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can log in to the website (or on the app through another iOS device) to remotely wipe the iPhone’s data, if desired.

Alternatively, you can have it ring loudly, even if the device was on mute (in case, say, you left it under a pile of clothes), type a text message that appears on the iPhone's screen (e.g. "Please call me if found: 604-555-1212") or you might want to locate the phone on a map using the device's A-GPS radio ("assisted" global positioning service technology, which also uses cellular connectivity along with satellites that hover above the earth).

BlackBerry

Similar to Find My iPhone, BlackBerry owners can download the free BlackBerry Protect (BlackBerry.com) app to sign up for the service.

If your BlackBerry is missing in action, you can log in to a protected website to see the smartphone on a map and remotely scrub its data, so no one can access it. As a proactive measure, BlackBerry Protect – as its name suggests – also lets you wirelessly back-up your contacts, text messages, calendar and bookmarks; this is all done automatically after you choose how often you'd like to back up your data: daily, weekly or monthly.

BlackBerry Protect also works on multiple BlackBerry smartphones your family or business might have.

There are also a few free third-party tools available, too, such as SmrtGuard and BuddyGuard Pro.

Android

Google’s popular operating system doesn’t have its own remote-wipe service, but there are multiple ways to remotely wipe it should your Android become lost or stolen.

If you’re running the free Google Latitude, for instance, you can always check your smartphone’s location online, but you can’t remotely wipe its data. For that capability, look for a third-party app such as Mobile Defense or McAfee WaveSecure.

Windows Phone 7

As with Android, Microsoft does not offer an in-house solution for remotely locating or wiping data from lost or stolen smartphones.

But if you own a Windows Phone 7-powered device, you can download apps like McAfee WaveSecure (see above) which is free to try but $20/year to buy.

A tool called Windows Live for Mobile will soon support wireless back-up, remote wipe and map tracking, as well.

Marc Saltzman is one of North America's most recognized and trusted technology experts. Based in Toronto, Marc currently contributes to nearly 50 publications, has authored 14 books and is the host of CTV News Channel's "Tech Talk," CNN's "Tech Time" and Cineplex's "Gear Guide" (seen in movie theatres across Canada).