Protecting a StandAlone BlackBerry
Out of the box, most devices aren't configured securely. As you learned earlier, the default firewall options are not set as securely as they could be and the firewall is disabled by default. The same is true with other settings that enable a user to gain physical access to the device.
Securing the standalone BlackBerry includes the following steps:
■ Protect against unauthorized access to the device. ■■ Implement content protection.
These are important steps to understand; the next two sections cover them in detail.
Preventing Unauthorized Access
If a BlackBerry is lost or stolen, an important deterrent is to ensure that the device cannot be accessed by unauthorized personnel. A really good way of doing that is by setting a password to access the BlackBerry. This is one of the most important steps in protecting it.
The absolute first thing that should be done with a BlackBerry device is to set the device password. Unfortunately, this critical step is on page 16 of the quick-start guide. Imagine how it would have helped Jimmy in South Beach if this step were more prominent in the guide. To implement a password on your BlackBerry do the following:
1. Go to Options.
2. Go to Security Options.
3. Select General Settings.
4. Click on Password O Change Option and choose Enabled.
5. Press the track wheel and select Save.
You will be prompted to enter the new password twice. When choosing the password, make it a good one. This is one of the most important things you can do. Make sure it
■■ Is at least eight characters long ■■ Contains letters ■■ Contains numbers ■■ Contains symbols (*, +, &, !)
NOTE
lihlH The BlackBerry's password feature offers some built-in protection: if the incorrect password is entered 10 times, the device will be wiped. This is a really good security feature.
There are a few other settings related to implementing a password on the device. Here are a few to note:
■ Security Timeout — How long after inactivity before the device is locked. It may be tempting to set this really high, but obviously the longer it is set for, the more time someone who finds it has to view the contents. The default is two minutes.
■ Lock Handheld Upon Holstering — It's a good idea to implement this feature if you utilize the holster. (By the way, it's not mandatory to attach the BlackBerry to your belt via the holster. It's OK just to put it in your pocket!)
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