Registered: May 2002
Location: cali
Posts: 3

Security Alert!...

I just found a big hole in the security of my handheld data. I'm looking for a way to password protect the hotsync operation.

If you take a brand new handheld and attempt to hotsync with the Palm Desktop it will NOT require password verification. Even if you have selected to password protect access to Palm Desktop in the options. It will port all your data over, but the password will then display as 'unassigned' on the handheld.

I'm sure there must be a simple fix out there for this. I've demo'd a couple of third party software apps, but they still don't seem to protect against this (PDASecure and PDADefense).

Could one of you Palm gurus steer me in the right direction?

Much thanks!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 217

I'm no security expert, but it seems to me that PalmOS security apps are designed to protect your data while it is on your pda, not to prevent someone from using a pda to steal the data from your pc. You should use the pc's built in security for that.

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Mike
I'd rather be upside down in my kayak than rightside up at my desk.

Registered: May 2002
Location: cali
Posts: 3

Hmmm...that makes sense, but it still seems too easy for someone to just walk by, plug a handheld in the cradle and take all your data. Or am I missing something?