Abstract: A plurality of methods, apparatus and computer programs for detecting both the authorized and unauthorized removal of a plurality of consumer electronic devices configured in a network based on these devices being in a protected or unprotected state. In a preferred embodiment, a thus protected networked consumer electronic device considers itself removed from the network without authorization if its protection state is “protected” when detecting its own removal from the network and it considers itself removed from the network with authorization if its protection state is unprotected when detecting its own removal from the network.