In a portable electronic device having an anti-theft functionality and a separate user-operable useful functionality, a method of using the portable electronic device includes operating the user-operable useful functionality; using the anti-theft functionality, wherein using the anti-theft functionality includes inserting an anchor into a socket of the portable electronic device, the anchor being connected to an object separate from the portable electronic device; locking the anchor in the socket to thereby secure the anchor to the portable electronic device; and unlocking the anchor from the socket upon verifying an unlock code that is received at the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a locking mechanism switchable between a locked position in which the anchor is secured to the socket, and an unlocked position in which the anchor is not locked in the socket. The portable electronic device has a processor that is adapted to execute the user-operable useful functionality, receive an unlock code, and to transition the locking mechanism into the unlock position upon verifying the received unlock code.