March 2008 News Posts
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| Topic: |
TealLock
review by David Eaton |
Date: |
02/02/2003 |
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TealLock v. 4.7
By: TealPoint Software
TealLock is probably
one of the most well known pieces of PDA security software on the
market today. While notoriety doesn't always mean that it is the
best, I found this software to be one of the better security
products on the market. It is robust with features and customizable
in almost every way.
As there overview
points out, there is a real need for security software now days.
With the increased popularity of PDA's, the estimates are that
20,000 are lost or stolen every year. TealLock gives you the option
of locking your PDA, encrypting your data, or both.
As I mentioned in a
recent article written for Clié Connection, the Palm OS comes
with a basic security program that locks your PDA and / or hides
your sensitive data. TealLock doesn't just enhance that software; it
starts from scratch and replaces it entirely.
Another benefit is
that TealLock offers more than graffiti input as methods of
unlocking the PDA. While it doesn't offer graphical reference points
in version 4.7 (an option I hope they offer soon), they do offer key
mapping and on-screen keypads. These are especially useful if the
password chosen is a numeric one.
While I personally
found the phone keypad a convenient way to tap in my code, you can
also assign values to the buttons on your PDA (they default to being
numeric values) and use the buttons to enter the code for you as
well.
Another nice feature
is the ability to display background images on the device when it
was locked. This, when combined with the owner information being
displayed (it gets this information from your PDA's Prefs settings),
is an added touch that might dissuade someone from messing with your
device. After all, if they turn it on and not only discover that it
requires a password to operate but see an official seal from a
government agency (like the F.B.I. for example) they may think twice
before slipping it in their pocket…
The program comes
with some default images located in a lockimgs.pdb file but you can
create your own using TealPoint's TealPaint program. Note: in order
for the program to use the images, they must already be in TealPaint
format. I found this to be one of the small drawbacks to this
software.
After customizing
your screen the way you wish (including such things as battery
meter, time, borders, etc.) you can do some serious customization of
the program itself. Here is where TealLock really excels. The
security features are excellent and the options are abundant.
You can do things
such as program the device to lock and require password entry during
certain parts of the day, or even only on certain days. You can even
have it automatically activate after a period of elapsed time or
after being turned off for a period of time.
Once these options
are chosen you are given still another page of options for the
activation itself. For example, do you wish to turn on the backlight
every time you unlock the device, or automatically launch TealGlance
(or another program of your choice) for example. You can even, if
you so desire, have the unlock screen displayed as a "welcome
screen" when you power on the device but not require a password
for operation. (I still like the idea of displaying an official
looking welcome screen even when it is not locked.
You are then given
yet another screen of advanced options (I told you it was
option-rich…) where you can do some serious damage if you're
not careful. Choosing to do things like requiring periodic password
changes and locking the silkscreen buttons, serial ports, or IR
ports aren't too bad but you can also choose to destroy all your
data after a specified number of failed attempts at unlocking the
device! You want to think long and hard before activating that one.
One nice feature is
the ability to set a "quick" password. Let's say, for
example, that your system password is your mother's maiden name -
all 13 characters of it. You could choose to set up her initials as
a quick password and, if you enter the 3 letters within 5 seconds,
the system will unlock and you won't have to type in "klinglehaufer"
each time you turn on your PDA. (No, my mother's maiden name was not
Klinglehaufer…)
The encryption
capabilities of TealLock rank right up there with the best. It
offers the choice of a fast encryption method, a more secure 128-bit
MDC encryption, and an even more secure 128-bit Blowfish algorithm.
I'm not sure how all that works - I just know that it works great!
Sounds like what
you're looking for? If so, download a working trial copy from
www.tealpoint.com and tell
them you heard about it on Clié Planet.
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