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Wireless Handheld Device Security The loss of a handheld device containing sensitive information is a very real threat. A recent survey by Pointsec Mobile Technologies shows that, over a six month period, 21,460 PDA/Pocket PCs and 85,619 mobile phones were left in the back of cabs in Chicago alone (Missing in Action, 2005). This does not include devices left in airports and restaurants, stolen, etc. But this should not be a problem since your company’s handheld devices are protected, right?
Tom Olzak,
04/12/2005
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Handheld Security: A Layered Approach Palm Pilot handhelds, and similar devices, have started to make great strides into our business environments. Some organizations even insist on their employees owning and using one of these handheld devices as part of their daily work. These devices are basically just small computers using an operating system (OS) designed by Palm Software. This operating system is similar to the Microsoft Windows OS in look and feel, but does have a multitude of differences in its operation. The small size of a Palm Pilot makes it ideal for keeping information close at hand while you are on the road but it also makes it ideal for thieves to get their hands on. While the laptop may have started the portability of information, there are times when a laptop just won’t do, such as during a sales meeting, when only a few notes need to be taken, or when you need to stay mobile all the time. To fill this gap, Palm and a few other companies like Handspring and Sony have introduced other handheld devices.
By Nelson Beach, 04/17/2004
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Pocket PC - Secure or Unsecured? Handheld computers have been on the market for a couple of decades. One of the first attempts at a handheld computer was the Apple Newton which didn’t take off commercially but had many features that today’s Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) use extensively. Many attempts at a commercially viable PDA have been attempted over the years but never really appealed to a mass market until the introduction of the Palm Pilot during the mid 90’s. This device wrapped in a light weight shell offered small size and a lower price tag. Soon many business people were organizing their lives with this simple device. The primary functionality, that of a glorified personal planner, has not changed much since its introduction but many developers have created ingenious software and games to enable it to do so much more. It is built on a platform with a less than powerful processor and exceeds little more than 8 megabytes of memory.
By Darrin Murriner, 04/17/2004
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Security Vulnerabilities in the Palm OS version 3.x This article will examine the security features standard with the Palm OS® version 3.x, their vulnerabilities, and some alternative security software which help remedy these vulnerabilities. The classic ideals of information security apply to a Palm device as well as to a network. The key to any good security strategy is defense in depth. A good perimeter (in this case a robust locking system at boot) and encryption of data on the Palm device protected by another strong password make up an adequate defense for most individuals. Devices running Palm OS® v4.0 do not share all of these vulnerabilities. To check the version of the Palm OS® you are running go to the System program group, push the menu button, choose info and choose version from the options on the bottom of the screen. Your Palm OS® version should be listed at the top of the display.
By Laura Thomas, 04/17/2004
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PDAs in the Corporate Environment A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, and networking features. PDA size and portability makes them easy targets for thieves and they are easily misplaced or lost. As the use of PDAs in the workplace increases, companies are beginning to recognize the need to protect their most sensitive corporate data and business applications, which may be contained on the PDA in the event it is compromised, lost or stolen. PDA security, therefore, should be a serious concern for every individual and corporate handheld device user. Although there are many different manufacturers of the PDA, most base their PDA on one of the two major Operating Systems (“OS”): Palm or the Windows CE (“Pocket PC”). Each company manufactures several models of the PDA and the capabilities of each model vary. The security concerns of the PDA remain no matter the manufacturer or model. Accordingly, this paper will be limited these two Operating Systems.
By Dave Croxton, 04/17/2004
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Securing PDAs in the Health Care Environment The “Information Age” is upon us, and technology is the two-edged sword that both provides us access to a world full of data and bombards us with too much information. The medical field is no exception; information drives the practice of medicine (Tonks and Smith). Doctors and nurses spend a quarter of their time searching for, sorting, and using information. Hospitals spend 15% of their budgets on information management. Health care professionals need information every time they encounter a patient, and that information must be accurate, up-to-date, and easily obtained. Fortunately, the development of technology in the last few decades has provided powerful tools to store and sort the plethora of medical data that is available. With the introduction of handheld computers, health care professionals now have a tool that they can carry with them to the bedside, the surgery, and the classroom.
By Sarah H. Blanton, 04/17/2004
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Wireless Security: Blackberry by Research In Motion Personal Data Assistants (PDA’s) have quickly become a required tool for the corporate executive. It has been previously used for calendar and contact management and storage purposes. However, these PDA’s have quickly been promoted to wireless email and confidential information mobile storage devices. This has created a large security vulnerability problem for Information Security Professionals worldwide. This paper presents an introduction to the Blackberry Wireless Email devices as well as suggestions to help Information Security Professionals minimize the risk of using such devices.
By Jeff Danielson, 04/17/2004
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The PDA as a Threat Vector Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have been steadily increasing in numbers since their inception in the early 1990s. Explosive growth in their numbers, particularly within the enterprise, is expected during the next three years. This presents a number of management challenges, both operational and technical. This paper addresses the threat to information security posed by the PDA (including related devices such as "smartphones"). It discusses the drivers behind the PDA's increasing numbers and the changing nature of PDA use. The changing threat profile of the PDA is examined and specific threats and areas of weakness are explored in detail. Methods for securing PDA’s within an organization, including management approaches and technical measures are considered. Finally, the opportunities which the PDA may present to security management are also examined.
By Richard Price, 04/17/2004
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Palm OS: a Platform for Malicious Code? Part Two This is the second of a two-part series that will attempt to establish to what degree Palm OS-based systems represent a suitable platform for malicious code. The first article examined the operating system in general, as well some of the types of malicious code that could be used to infect Palm OS platforms. This installment will look at file system viruses, non-overwriting link viruses, compressing link viruses, existing Palm OS malware, and virus scanners for Palm OS.
03/23/2004
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Palm OS: a Platform for Malicious Code? Part One So will this necessarily facilitate the emergence of Palm OS as a site of virus or worm infection? This article is the first of a two-part series that will attempt to establish to what degree Palm OS-based systems represent a suitable platform for malicious code. This installment will examine the operating system in general, as well some of the types of malicious code that could be used to infect Palm OS platforms.
03/23/2004
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