|
HotSync Regularly
Be sure to HotSync your PDA or handhelds regularly, as in all cases
where you may be changing settings on your device or adding
additional software. Because the purpose of security is to keep
people out of your data (including you if you forget the password)
one small mistake can leave a hard reset (and loss of any data you
have not backed up) as your only way out.
Lock Individual Records
This is the most basic level of security. It only protects certain
information, and with a little PDA knowledge it is not that
difficult to circumvent. Because this functionality still allows the
device to be turned on and HotSync'd, someone who finds your device
and wants to see the hidden records need do no more than install a
simple application like No Security to bypass the necessary
password.
This method of security has another drawback as well. The password
encoding is weak and easily reversible. The encoded block of data
that contains the password is sent to the desktop during HotSync and
can be intercepted. It is also stored in the Unsaved Preferences
database and can be retrieved by any application.
Lock your PDA
The second component of PDA's security is the ability to 'lock' the
device. Once activated, this causes a security screen to be
displayed the next time the device is turned on, requiring the user
to enter the correct password before proceeding to the application
screen .
The most important distinction between this level of security and
simply password protecting individual records, is that locking the
device prevents any activity on the device without first entering
the password, including HotSync-ing, so there is no opportunity to
install applications which bypass the security function. The only
way to circumvent the locking mechanism is to hard reset the device
which deletes all the information on the handheld, including the
records you do not want others to see.
Unfortunately, despite the added protection locking your device
provides, most users find the process of going to the main
application screen, tapping security and then tapping the lock
button too time consuming--meaning they quickly lose interest in
doing it. So PDA manufacturers created shortcuts on how to quickly
lock it, read the manual.
Enhanced your security
If you want to enhance the security of your PDA, there are a number
of third-party applications available that provide additional
functionality, off course these are not free. nost of these programs
automatically lock of your device whenever it is turned off
(eliminating the inconvenience of always having to remember to do it
yourself) and many combine password protection with encryption to
give your data maximum protection. Just a few of the more popular
applications includes, OnlyMe, TealLock, DataGator, PDABomb and so
on.
While security applications can't ease the angst you will feel if
you lose your PDA, they can make sure that critical data does not
fall into the wrong hands. Of course, PDA security is only one
component of an overall security strategy. After all, the same data
that is on your PDA is also on your desktop, so be sure to evaluate
the methods for protecting your PC too.
[ Introduction ]
[ Ways to Secure Your PDA] |
