I'm not sure if anyone loves their iPod as much as I love mine. I basically use it all day long. So you can imagine how vulnerable I felt when mine was stolen right out of my car. I started reading up and found that unfortunately these little pieces of technology are the number one target of thieves. There are ways you can prevent my horrible situation from happening to you. You just need to know what to do.

Ipods have increasingly grown in popularity over the past few years. With that increase in the number of people walking around with them, the number iPod robberies has also increased. They are targeted because they are valuable, easily identifiable and come without any anti-theft protection. To help you prevent some no good thief from stealing your iPod, here are some easy to follow prevention steps next time you go out listening to your music:

• The number one thing you never want to do is to leave your iPod unattended and if do need to leave it for a little bit, hid it well. Always keep it in your purse or a pocket in your pants or jacket. Keep it well out of sight when you leave it in your car. It should be out of plain sight from someone on the street. You never know who will be walking by your car and see it. That person might just break into your car to get it. Now, not only is your iPod stolen but your car has been broken into.

• Get yourself a specially designed lock made for iPods. These portable iPod locks attach and lock to you want. Most people use them with their purse, backpack, lounge chair at the pool or treadmill at the gym.

• Lose the white iPod earpieces. They are a dead giveaway for thieves looking for a target to steal from since they are easily noticeable from distance. Find earphones less distinguishable and therefore less likely to draw unwanted attention.

• Try not to wear your iPod's belt clip. Wearing them out is all out advertisement for a thief to rob you. Actually, it can be quite dangerous even. Those clips can be removed from your belt rather easily and before you realize it, some thief is now the proud new owner of your iPod.

• Another smart move to make is to register your iPod with Apple's website. Get this done from the first day you own it. If you don't already have an iTunes account, you'll have to create an Apple ID name and password. Register your serial number found on the back of your iPod. Next, make a profile including your home address and phone number. Now if someone finds your iPod can calls Apple to report finding a lost iPod, Apple can contact you that it has been found.

• It's also a good idea in general to know your iPod's serial number. If it ever gets stolen, you can give the police the serial number and description of it. This gives the police a much better chance of recovering your iPod.