mSafe is a secure tool for Windows Mobile Pocket PC that allows you to remotely lock your device or completely erase private and confidential data to avoid unauthorized access. This article briefly explains how it works and the programs main features.
Overview
Are you sure that the private and confidential information stored on your Windows Mobile Pocket PC is safe? What if your phone was stolen or misplaced? This data can then be vulnerable and might get into the hands of an authorized person who might manipulate it for their own gains. mSafe provides complete peace of mind by allowing you to remotely lock your device or wipe-off all information stored on your phone or storage card memory so that no person other than you can lay eyes on it. This process can be completed by sending a text message command to your device from any other number which further performs the required action.
mSafe is developed by Motion Apps and can be purchased from their website for $19.99. For trial purposes, developers provide a free version that can be downloaded from the apps description page . This program is compatible with Windows Mobile and Palm OS platforms and I recommend that my readers test the trial version and also check their device compatibility before buying the licensed version.
I connected my Pocket PC to a desktop computer and then used Microsoft ActiveSync to run the downloaded .EXE trial version setup file which further installed the app on my device.
Examining mSafe App
After installing the application successfully, I opened it by tapping on Start Menu → Programs → Motion Apps → mSafe which directed me to its main window where I was asked to assign a new unlock password. The app also facilitates a hint question so that if you forget your password you can quickly access it by answering that question. Also, if for some reason you fail to remember your password, you can tap on the ‘Lost password’ tab that will allow you to reset the password but users should note that by doing this all private records stored on your device will be automatically erased.
After assigning a locking password, I tapped on the ‘Settings’ tab and I was prompted to enter the assigned password. After I had done this, I was directed to the apps main settings screen where I could configure different options to lock my device. The app allows you to automatically lock your device under these circumstances: when wireless mode is turned off, when you loose network coverage, when system is restarted or reset and when storage card is removed from your device. I could select and enable any of these options by marking the checkboxes in front of each option. I also enabled the ‘Disable storage card replacement when device is locked’ option so that no one could tamper with my storage card memory.
Finally I tapped on the ‘SMS settings’ tab on this window to lock my device remotely by sending a text message command. This further directed me to a new settings window where I enabled the ‘Lock when receive SMS’ option to lock my device by sending a text message command. Here I could define the SMS locking password. Then I enabled the ’Wipe when receive SMS’ option to erase all the data stored on my Pocket PC to prevent it from unauthorized access. When all the settings were properly configured, I tapped on the ‘Done’ button to save these settings and exit the application.
Final Verdict
mSafe is reliable, easy to configure and provides complete peace of mind ensuring that private information stored on your device is never manipulated when it is stolen or lost.
I configured the settings in two easy steps and decided to test the application by sending the text command. The app really works and all data was automatically locked after sending the text command. Similarly, I could also erase all private information from phone and storage card memory.
The price of $19.99 might be a bit high for many users to justify but I guess you have to pay this price if you want an effective tool to safeguard your private data.
I will give this app 9 out of 10 points for its simple and uncomplicated user interface, functionality and usability. The only disconcerting factor is its expensive price that might not fit into the budget of some users.
SOURCE: Motion Apps