Database Users

Securing sensitive information in contacts

Hi everyone,
I have quite a lot of sensitive information in the notes of some of my contacts. Is there any way to hide/secure/password this information. I am somewhat concerned that if my xda2 is lost or stolen then this information could be used for evil, not for good if you know what I mean.
Any advise would be appreciated

I don't put any sensitive info in Contacts. I put them in eWallet (3rd-party software; I got it from my old iPAQ) which is password-protected. I also password-protect my XDA II (Settings->Password).

not only THAT, but you can also password the SIM card too! so no one can use the sim card in their own cell phone, to make long distance calls
but hey Jargon!!! since you seem to work at pccillin... someone was arguing that ppc dont have viruses, but i said its not true, coz i have a pccillin on my ppc!... can you settle that question for us?

ntabikha said:
but hey Jargon!!! since you seem to work at pccillin... someone was arguing that ppc dont have viruses, but i said its not true, coz i have a pccillin on my ppc!... can you settle that question for us?
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Fortunately, there are no Pocket PC viruses in the wild at this time. But the Pocket PC can be a carrier of viruses, worms and trojans that can infect other platforms (the Pocket PC itself won't be infected). There are already existing viruses that can infect Palm devices though.

Best Anti-Virus for Titan

So after seeing the post about the Lojack virus, I want to know: What Anti-virus program do you like best? Please try and site some specifics about the program (ie not a memory hog or is a memory hog or locks up the device...etc).

It probably sounds cheesy, but the best anti-virus for a phone should be the user. If you don't download from 3rd party sites and watch where you surf you should be fine.
Or you could habitually reflash/hard reset/format your device and never have to worry.
I think any anti-virus software for the ppc would be very bloated and suck up quite a bit of battery life... reminds me of trying to run Norton on my old 400mhz PIII.
You may want to try Airscanner though.

It seems the best solution would be if the PC virus scanners detected the CE viruses and perhaps scanned the phone on sync.So long as you dont download programs over the phones internet connection and instead upload them from the pc,you should be protected (at least untill they start exploiting security flaws to get you over the network. Unfortunately,this does not exist yet to my knowledge.
On the plus side,it does not seem to bad yet. I can just imagine a flaw where a malformed text message causes the phone to execute malicious code and install a virus. God I hope they don't add things like java and active-x to text messaging like they did with email.

Airscanner
David

Noob question; Anti virus on X1?

OK. I have never owned or used a Winmo device, so prefer to take advice from actual users, rather than random google hits.
As we are getting so close to actually owning these hot devices (UK), I was just wondering anout web security, what with it being a Microshaft OS, and all.
I would be using the device quite a lot for Internet browsing, etc, so . . . .
Should i install antivirus software, and/or anti spyware software?
If so, what do other Winmo users recommend, Allbeit for other devices, and what would be available for X1 anyway?
Cheers for any help, people.
Stay happy, John

Hi,
Read the following article;
Title: "Mobile security: An ounce of prevention"
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/totalaccess/columns/mobile-security.mspx
Links five antiviruses on that site. I also hear that McAfee also provides a mobile solution - if so, then i'm probably gonna try out that first. But am hoping that Xperia does come with it's own protection software...
Best Regards.

Is there really any point?
They're 500 viruses for ALL mobile OSs maximum...
And most of them arent that harmful at all, it'll be quite hard to get infected and not that hard to get rid of it...

Yeah, don't think the overhead is worth it. I don't leave my Bluetooth on and don't open attachments you don't expect...you should be fine

Cool... since this'll be my first WinMo device, i was wondering if i needed an antivirus or not. I figure not.

i realise this is quite an old post but i'm also a noob and was thinking the same thing. Another forum told me it was essential to buy a virus protector but here it seems not. Now the xperia is released and known...how important is it to get one? Thanks

put an antivirus on your pda si one of the most stupid things you can do

hehe i was thinking as much! some people in other forums are obviously a bit stupid then haha. thanks

Just scan all the files before you transfer them on the desktop if you're worried and only get "over the air" cab files from places you trust..
Attachments can be (and should be Imo) set to download manually in email settings on your device.

am a windows platform owner since 2001 and since then i have never used a security software and never been hit or attacked though i would call my self a heavy internet user since i use internet as a dataplan and through active sync and even back in those days i used to use it as dialup

HTC/Windows vesion of apple "App store"

Had a quick search, couldn't find anything, sorry if it's a repeat..
Anyway, I love my HD, it's a cracking bit of kit, but I'm finding the lack of support for many things (take flash player streaming on BBC over HDSPA for example) really quite frustrating, not least as the youtube app works so well - which leads me to the bigger picture.
Apple have the appstore for their i-phone, a place where you can find all the applets for the phone - surely HTC or Miscro$oft should be looking at something similar for their range of phones/OS?
Am I missing a trick here? Have I missed the HTC/WinMo equivalent?

I think you mean something like " Cydia " for the IPhone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKerR-P-jGQ
That would be cool. I thought about the same thing at the Weekend. Why should we not have a universal download Program for all the Freeware in our Windows Mobile based machine.

Free Cabs
I Think this can help not program but helpful
http://www.freecabs.de
Mrahman

Microsoft are developing this, it is called Windows Mobile Marketplace
http://client.marketplace.windowsmobile.com/

Meza1 said:
Microsoft are developing this, it is called Windows Mobile Marketplace
http://client.marketplace.windowsmobile.com/
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Thanks - nothing like leading the market eh Microsoft?
How long has windows mobile been a common smartphone/PDA operating system now?

There are loads of websites giving free CABs for all kinds of programmes. Because Windows Mobile doesn't have a central 'approval' thing like Apple do, anyone can write ANY kind of program for WM phones. Apple decide what makes it onto their phone and what doesn't, hence the need for their centralised AppStore.
Try this: www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi (from your mobile). Lots of good stuff

Or this: http://msmvps.com/blogs/nunoluz/archive/2009/04/09/pocket-gear-now-has-own-appstore.aspx

CreepinJesus said:
There are loads of websites giving free CABs for all kinds of programmes. Because Windows Mobile doesn't have a central 'approval' thing like Apple do, anyone can write ANY kind of program for WM phones. Apple decide what makes it onto their phone and what doesn't, hence the need for their centralised AppStore.
Try this: www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi (from your mobile). Lots of good stuff
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I am aware of the numerous places where the software is available, and long may that continue, as it means independent developers can continue their excellent work, but with the Apple model you have a 'one stop shop', accessible directly from a simple app on the phone that gives you simple access to many 'official' applets.
Whilst I'll always be looking at the independent sector, following the recommendations from places such as this site (and what an excellent resource it is!), there really needs to be a central, 'approved' market place for the mass-market apps, and so that developers can see a genuine, financially viable reason to develop for the platform, something that isn't really there at the moment in the fractured, unfocused model we currently have.

And how are developers going to benefit from being ripped off by a company like Apple or MS twice - once in the form of rubberstamping their work, and then in the form of a sales commission?

vangrieg said:
And how are developers going to benefit from being ripped off by a company like Apple or MS twice - once in the form of rubberstamping their work, and then in the form of a sales commission?
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In the same way most companies do...
The point of the central depository is that people looking for apps look there, is it not?
http://appstore.pocketgear.com

Virus software, and protecting your HD2?

From all my browsing on here recently, on not one occasion have I seen Anti Virus / anti malware tools mentioned.
I have a bit of a blackspot in my thinking on this - is it recommended / necessary to have such tools on Windows Mobiles? What do people do to protect their HD2s?

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/get-flexilis-mobile-security-with-antivirus.html
i have not tested it on the HD2

Security thru obscurity - WM has such a relatively ****e mktshare I don't think u have to worry too much about firewalls and antivirus... as long as you scan the files you copy over to your phone via ActiveSync I think ur pretty much safe.
If u really want antivirus I think Kaspersky or some other major provider offer solutions....

hi! i use eset mobile antivirus...

I think I need to look into an anti virus/firewall type of software, as I've just found out I may have been affected by something called The Koobface worm which sent out messages from my facebook account to all my friends asking them to check out a link which was just some money scam.
I have since changed my password, but I don't know if it will happen again. I'm surprised as I have hardly used the internet on my HD2, apart from merely checking well know sites like BBC and MSN.

i am also interested in this, is it really worth it? most viruses i have seen descriptions of for WM seem to relate to social networking sites and direct access apps. since i dont use these sort of sites, is there any need for concern? after all, regular backups of this sort of device seem like the better option to an always live cpu-eating (and battery) scanning program.

grega_slo said:
hi! i use eset mobile antivirus...
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I've used their Anti-Virus on my PC/s and I found that it leaves a small footprint in comparison to the likes of Symantec etc... however, how does the mobile version effect your battery life and performance of your device?
I've looked a the ESET website and they reckon it's not that resource hungry, but real world usage usually is different...

Hi!
I get battery drain as most people here... About 3% per hour in standby mode...
It is resource hungry when you perform scan... But I really need just on access scanner... Realtime scanning is important...

Antivirus/Antimalware is not currently necessary in WinMo devices. It simply drains resources protecting against threats that don't exist.
Viruses are unlikely as the OS is in ROM (unlike PCs where the OS is just another set of user files) and malware has yet to reach WinMo in any real form though it has been produced in the labs of some AV developers. The difference is that malware needs to be positively accepted on the device to install- it can't install silently due to the way the OS works.
Your choice at the end of the day, but PC threats cannot infect/affect WinMo devices.

webjunky said:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/get-flexilis-mobile-security-with-antivirus.html
i have not tested it on the HD2
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Thanks webjunky, I've got it running on my phone, quite cool actually, bunch of online tools such as "Scream" which can be used incase you misplace your phone, you can use the facility to make you phone "Scream". Only useful if your phone is nearby and you can't find it, handy though if you have it on silent and can't find it by ring with another phone.
The GPS/network locater is cool too, you can go online and locate your phone, takes about 5mins to locate, bit like in the films when they try to "trace" a call
I don't know if its a placebo effect, but I think the phone might be abit slower, but hard to tell to be honest.

NeilM said:
Antivirus/Antimalware is not currently necessary in WinMo devices. It simply drains resources protecting against threats that don't exist.
Viruses are unlikely as the OS is in ROM (unlike PCs where the OS is just another set of user files) and malware has yet to reach WinMo in any real form though it has been produced in the labs of some AV developers. The difference is that malware needs to be positively accepted on the device to install- it can't install silently due to the way the OS works.
Your choice at the end of the day, but PC threats cannot infect/affect WinMo devices.
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Click to collapse
Thanks NeilM, that makes alot of sense. I'm still worried about how facebook messages were sent via my HD2 to all my friends. Is it more a facebook issue, or could it be the "Koobface" worm some how got onto my phone?

This is likely to be a problem generated by a PC infected by koobface- either yours or one of your contacts, if the messages are indeed infected.
The HD2 is not susceptible to any PC threats so it hasn't come from there- more likely that something has spoofed your messaging system within Facebook.

NeilM said:
This is likely to be a problem generated by a PC infected by koobface
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Definitely. Koobface only (currently) exists on PCs, not mobile devices.

NeilM said:
PC threats cannot infect/affect WinMo devices.
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Really? This is my experience with HTC HD2. I want to share it with you guys.
Because recently I connect my HD2 to a PC with XP OS, just wanted to print something (connected to PC'S USB, copy file and all that). And my device got really slow after that.
The next day, I got curious and run a scan (Kaspersky 2010) from my notebook, connected to my HD2. Whoa...., it's trojan everywhere... Furthermore, I think I still have virus in my HD2 (it is located in storage card).
The folder's name: COLD; sub-folder: HOTT. I forgot the content inside HOTT, but some guy used this technique of moving this virus folder into an empty folder named AUTORUN.INF in a storage card to prevent further infection in the system. He said we have to create a new folder for this, but AUTORUN.INF has been there since I scan my HD2 long ago with Kaspersky.
I don't know about other HD2 users, but I still have that COLD folder. I tried to move it to AUTORUN.INF folder, but it strangely persisted to stay in my storage card. For some reasons I don't understand, the files in HOTT sub-folder were gone. And when I check into AUTORUN.INF, the COLD folder and the HOTT sub-folder are also there with the content of HOTT sub-folder gone.
Now, I'm still considering whether to hard-reset my device once and for all.

LeeMC79 said:
From all my browsing on here recently, on not one occasion have I seen Anti Virus / anti malware tools mentioned.
I have a bit of a blackspot in my thinking on this - is it recommended / necessary to have such tools on Windows Mobiles? What do people do to protect their HD2s?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use LookOut Mobile on my HD2 & Nexus1

I had lookout on my Nexus One for peace mind but it only "protected" my phone from a malicious app that I might install.
I don't have nearly as many applications available on WinMo so there's no reason for me to have anti-virus since I have so few applications.
- Bing
- Opera Mobile
- Skype
- Skyfire
- Total Commander
- CoPilot
- Omarket
- cleanRAM
- WiFi Toggler
All these apps came from trusted sources so I'm not worried at all. Any trouble and I wouldn't have any reservations about resetting my phone back to factory settings though.

It is quite possible that a virus on your PC may have copied over files to the HD2's SD card while it was in disk mode. this is no different than a virus coping files to a floppy or usb flash drive to try and infect the next host that they are plugged/inserted into the PC and the PC autoruns the drive.
Just because a virus infected file is sitting on the HD2's SD card does not mean the HD2 is actively infected, ie processes are running that are sending out junk to your contacts, key logging, damaging/infecting other file, etc.
As far as i know there are no viruses out in the wild for winmobile, putting AV software on it is likely a waste of money and battery/resources. Youre probably more likely to find a virus on the android or jailbroken iphone platforms, than youll ever find them on win mobile

NeilM said:
Antivirus/Antimalware is not currently necessary in WinMo devices. It simply drains resources protecting against threats that don't exist.
Viruses are unlikely as the OS is in ROM (unlike PCs where the OS is just another set of user files) and malware has yet to reach WinMo in any real form though it has been produced in the labs of some AV developers. The difference is that malware needs to be positively accepted on the device to install- it can't install silently due to the way the OS works.
Your choice at the end of the day, but PC threats cannot infect/affect WinMo devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although your base OS is in ROM, Patches and upgrades are in memory if installed afterwards.
Removing can be simple: Hard reset, Format SD, apply patches, install software.
But this will take a lot of time.
At the moment the threat is (very) low. Main reason beeing that messaging is very tight (no automatic downloads).
I do not use antivirus, I use PDA's allready for 12 years (from Palm trough Ipaq to HTC phones). About 6 years ago Antimalware was a small hype, I went along for a moment.
This resulted in almost unusable PDA, very bad battery life. So I abandoned. Over the last 6 years, without Antivirus, just sensible use (no roaming on unknown WIFI, not visiting risky sites) I have never had any virus contamination.
So Honestly: Antivirus on HD2 is a bit scareware.
Also over the last 6 years (since first virus in 2004) the number of virusses are minimal. Most virusses are also just for one OS (so a virus on winmo5 does not work on winmo 6.5)
In my opinion: acceptable risks.
Just my two cents

hd2 virus
I do feel assured and feel relieved about not instllng anather app that htc company not included. After all, there is a reason for them not including any such apps about virus protection.

Windows PC virus cannot run on windows mobile as ARM is not x86 compatable. In order for a virus to infect a HD2 it has to be written specifically for that OS and CPU combination.
If you present your phone as a hdd to your computer then it is possible for a virus to get on the phone but it will not run on the phone due to different OS and CPU.
It is, however, still possible to infect another PC via the phone since you can still present your phone as a hdd to the host PC and the virus is uploaded when the host accesses the phone's storage.