Protecting Data with Encryption
Smartphones have gone from being a novelty to an essential business and mobile tool. They not only allow users to access the Internet from anywhere, but they can also be used to view PowerPoint presentations, write and review documents, and receive email. While portability makes the gadgets popular, it also makes them easier to steal. Personal data stored on a smartphone can be easily copied or removed and used in malicious ways.
The solution to prevent this is the same often touted for computer data security – encryption. Encrypting files ensures that if an unauthorized individual comes in contact with the data, they will be unable to open the file and scan it’s content.
Data encryption on Windows Mobile is a newly developing field – with the release of higher-capacity and better equipped smartphones, more users are looking for ways to protect their data. One of the most sophisticated and popular methods of doing so is via PocketLock, which encrypts files and folders with ARC4 128-bit encryption, and then protects it with a password. The file can be decrypted with the PocketLock software, or easily unlocked by entering the correct password.
What You’ll Need
PocketLock requires 86KB of space and will work on any smartphone running Windows Mobile. Installing the App
- Download the application from the Applian Mobile website – it is shareware, and will work for 15 days before it requires a license purchase of $15.
- Start either Active Sync or Mobile Center and plug the smartphone into a PC loaded with either Windows XP or Vista.
- Run the PocketLock installation file to install the app.
- Disconnect your smartphone from the PC and restart your smartphone.
Encrypting a File
- Launch the newly installed app.
- Tap the ‘encrypt file’ button on the main screen. Scroll through the file system and choose the file to encrypt.
- Enter a password or PIN number up to 16 characters in length. For added safety, avoid familiar names and numbers, and use a combination of both letters and numbers.
- Select ENTER, then select OK on the confirmation message that appears. The file has been encrypted with the default 128-bit encryption key and password protected.
Decrypting a File
- To decrypt an encrypted file, launch the app and tap the ‘decrypt file’ button. Scroll through the file system and choose the encrypted file.
- Enter the password you created.
- An alternative method is to select the file directly from the File Explorer window and enter the password when prompted.
So in these times when security is vital, especially security of your personal data, it is very important to ensure that you are protected. PocketLock offers the protection of your personal data by encryption. It is easy to download, install and use.
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Another free option is FreeOTFE: http://www.freeotfe.org/
This is cute and all, but one file at a time? Not for me!
Take a trip over to http://www.aikosolutions.com. I have been using the Secubox app on my MDA/Tytn II/Tilt (all 3 touch screens, but I don’t think that matters greatly for this topic) for quite a while.
Basically, it makes a secured “storage card” available to your phone. It is actually a file that is secured on your storage card, but the software makes it available to you as a “new storage card”. The encryption/decryption is seamless after the card is mounted and used just as any other storage card would be.
Personally, I like this way of doing things a lot. It gives me the ability to make many secured “cards” and mount only those I want at any given time. Also has the ability to unmount them when the device goes to sleep and other such things. Keeps the data secured even if you did leave a card mounted.
The only drawback is that it is not free. Sometimes, ya just gotta pay…
aikosolutions’s SecuBox is nowhere near as good as FreeOTFE4PDA (http://www.FreeOTFE.org/). Although they do almost the same thing, FreeOTFE has a LOT more functionality, and is cross platform, supporting PCs running Windows and Linux, as well as Windows MObile.
Secubox is expensive for what it is – FreeOTFE4PDA doens’t cost anything and gives you more.
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