Coming soon: Hire a “warden” to secure your Windows Mobile device!

There’s a new sheriff coming to town, and he only has one job: standing guard to protect your Windows Mobile device, even when it isn’t in your possession. Corsoft Corporation has created Warden Security, a device protection application that goes beyond a simple password screen. In fact, Warden Security can help to retrieve your device if it’s lost or stolen, with an innovative “remote lock†system that can secure the device and wipe the data even if your device is miles away.

Getting started

To set up the software for the first time, a friendly wizard helps you set up a secure password (see figure 1, below) and verifies your region, cell phone carrier, mobile phone number and phone model. The software then registers your phone with the company's online server then goes right to work for you, protecting your system.

Figure 1: The software prompts you to create a password and shows you how “strong†the password is, based on length and the use of characters and numbers.

Powerful on-device protection

Warden Security replaces your standard password screen to a new uber-security system (figure 2). The system will be automatically locked when you enable any one of a half dozen criteria, like memory card removal, after system reset, loss of cellular signal and more. My favorite lock screen feature is the button to call the owner. I believe that this feature alone will greatly increase the likelyhood that your phone will be returned, since honest users will be able to reach you quickly and easily. The software also includes lock-screen options to call an emergency number, enter your own personal message and display the date/time.

Figure 2: The locked screen offers one-touch buttons to call the phone’s owner (you) or an emergency number.

The next generation of security applications

But, believe it or not, the impressive password screen is just the beginning! Warden Security includes wireless features that can be set into motion by visiting a special web site they've created (Figure 3). If you've lost your device, you can remotely lock it. If you fear your device was stolen, you can wipe the data on it as well as any memory card in the device. The Professional Edition version even allows you to remotely encrypt data on a memory card so it won’t be useful if the card is inserted into another device.

Figure 3: You can lock your device remotely and select options to delete data on the device or memory cards, using a special web site.

The answer to corporate data security

Warden Security is the answer to many of the biggest corporate data security problems handheld devices create. With the ability to remote-wipe sensitive data, including information on memory cards, this software is truly innovative. But what I am most impressed by is how well this software has been designed. Installation is easy and intuitive, configuring the software is clear and simple, and using the software is a breeze. The team at Corsoft Corporation truly knows how to make top-notch mobile software and they haven't pulled any punches with their Warden Security product.

Availability

The software is currently available for the Treo 700x/700wx/750v at http://LockMyTreo.com. The company is developing versions for the Samsung Blackjack, Motorola Q, T-Mobile Dash and iMate Jaq3 which should be available on their new web site, http://LockMyMobile.com by the end of the month. This summer, they are hoping to add support for other Pocket PC and Smartphone devices. There are three separate versions of Warden Security: Lite ($14.95), Standard ($24.95) and Professional ($49.95). A detailed feature chart which outlines all of the features available on each version of the software is available at http://lockmytreo.com/about.asp.