Data protection
Applian PocketLock offers an easy way to shield sensitive files on Pocket PC devices from prying eyes
AS MORE POCKET PC devices are plugged into the corporate network, companies should take security measures to ensure that any sensitive data on such devices is encrypted. After all, Pocket PC devices are small, so they are prime targets for theft and loss. Applian Technologies’ PocketLock provides a very easy way to encrypt files and directories on PocketPC devices.
PocketLock boasts a slick GUI that provides access to all its functions. From the main menu, users can select to encrypt or decrypt a file or folder. After selecting an option and choosing the target file or folder, the user is prompted to enter the password. The screen fills with a numeric keypad that allows quick entry of a numeric PIN. PocketLock also accepts input from any of the Pocket PC functions such as the keyboard or letter recognizer, providing great flexibility. Users can enter any password, as long or as short as they want. Of course, the longer the password, the more secure it is.
The default encryption in PocketLock is ARC-4, a 128-bit RC4 compatible encryption method. Installing Microsoft’s High Encryption Pack for Pocket PC will provide you with a few additional encryption options. PocketLock encrypts the file and adds a .lock extension to the file name. Knowing this, users can quickly identify which files have been encrypted when browsing a file list.
PocketLock does not encrypt .exe or .dll files or anything in the /Windows directory on the Pocket PC. A desktop version also exists that makes it easy to access encrypted files on a desktop or laptop instead of the handheld. Not all encrypted files can be opened on transfer. Files that are converted during the ActiveSync process, such as Word and Excel documents, cannot be opened after being encrypted and copied between a PC and Pocket PC. At $9.95, PocketLock is a good value, and compared to the cost of sensitive data becoming public information, the price is immaterial.
