Thanks for visiting Palm Discovery

First of all, Palm Discovery gives a BIG THANKS to Chirag Patel of Corsoft for providing the product for this review. We had an interesting chat over the phone and one thing that stuck out (pardon the pun) was how we both really liked the antenna of the Treo 650. We both agreed that we can easily grab hold of it to take our Treo out of its case or whatever and it’s quite nice to have. I know that a lot of Treo owners hate it and it’s nice that someone agrees with me about the antenna. Another BIG THANKS to Jeff fo Stuffbak for passing my name and number to Chirag! It’s always nice to be able to connect with others in the Palm community and the conversations are always interesting. Thanks!

I haven’t done many security software reviews in the past and so when I got the opportunity to test it out, I must say that I’m totally amazed by this program! Again, keep in mind that there is very limited security software reviews I’ve done so my bias may be due to that.

For clarification, I am reviewing the Professional version of Warden, which offers the most features and settings and obviously a more expensive version than the others version that Warden is offered. For a more comprehensive comparison listing of what the Lite, Standard and Professional version offers, please check out this page. Warden is available on both the Palm OS and Windows Mobile platforms!

Warden is quite an extensive and comprehensive security application. I was quite overwhelmed by the amount of features and settings that it offered and actually took some time to read the manual myself. I’d strongly suggest taking some time to read the manual ( it’s available in pdf format here ) if not at least reading through its FAQ (Freqently Asked Questions page) to get a better idea of what the program offers and a lot of details on the program.

Warden, is quite simply put, a security software program that you install on your Treo device (both Palm OS and Windows Mobile are currently supported but other smartphone support are coming) and it will “lock down” all the stored data as well as the phone from being accessible by anyone other than you. Like many similar security programs, you can set the security lock either manually (ie. tapping on a lock button on the Treo screen) or automatically (ie. lock is enabled when you turn off the Treo screen), or remotely (ie. lock is enabled when you send a text message (SMS) to your Treo). Although many other security programs offer similar features, Warden has quite a lot more settings and security measures that others currently (as far as I know) doesn’t offer.

Before I go into the program itself, I want to show a quick overall step through of the set up of the program, that is, after you’ve installed the program onto your Treo and need to activate it to use and evaluate the software.

The first screen you see when you run Warden for the first time is what you see above. Tapping on the “Start Here” button on the screen will bring up the next picture where it prompts you for a password and then you’re asked to verify and confirm that password. This is obviously the password that you’re setting for Warden and will need to input when you need to access the settings in the program and when you’re locked out.

The next screen shows your phone number and asks you to verify your carrier and location. You will next be taken to the registration screen where you can select to either manually register or register via data connection (ie. cellular data over the air connection). I’d suggest that it’s easiest to register over the data connection because it’s faster and you don’t have to wait for an email and going to the website. But that’s up to you.

Depending on whether you are evaluating the software during its trial period, or registering the software purchase, you can select what is applicable to you.

After the information is selected and entered, and if you have chosen to register using the data connection, the program will attempt to connect to the internet for program registration.

If manual registration is selected, you will be asked to visit the www.lockmymobile.com/register.asp website (click on the above image for a bigger picture) and enter relevant information and await an email with registration details.

Once registered, you can start using the program and setting the security measures according to your customized preferences. Warden offers a lot of choices to suit your level of security. Again, as I’ve mentioned before, you can lock the Treo device in one of the many ways, or all of them if you want a truly security solution.

Manual lock

Just like the title indicates, this lock is set manually. You simply tap on a virtual button on the screen and the lock is activated and enabled. Normally, that means that the Treo’s screen will power off (turn off). The next time you power it on (turn on the screen), you will be prompted with the locked screen that you see similar to the pictures above. The left picture is set with the default “Palm Preference Setting” clock while the one on the right is set with the “Warden Time Date Format” clock.

In order to “unlock” the program and access the Treo programs as well as the phone (yes, you can’t make phone calls or receive phone calls (optional setting) if the Treo is locked), you will need to unlock it by either entering the password in the box indicated or unlock it with a special Quick Access key combination (if available). By default, the password you enter in the box is masked. To toggle it to display the characters you entered (to prevent accidentally entering the wrong character), simply tap on the symbol that looks somewhat like an asterix (*) and it will show your password.

Auto Lock

Again, as the title indicates, the lock is enabled automatically. Depending on your preference and what has been set in the program, you can have your Treo device automatically locked when the screen is turned off. That means, that once you turn off the screen of the Treo, the program will automatically lock the Treo. Depending on your work environment and the level of security you require, this can be quite useful and important so that you don’t have to remember to manually lock it yoursel Aside from that auto lock, there are other ways the program will automatically lock the Treo. Amongst some of the ways include: SD card removal, scheduled time lock down, delayed time lock down, after a system reset, when phone radio is turned off, side button press, remote lock and network outtage. This last one, network outtage is quite interesting and one feature that I don’t think I saw in other security programs. If the program detects that the network cellular signals falls below a certain level, it will automatically lock the device as a security measure.

Remote lock

Click on image for a bigger picture

Remote lock is the capability to “remotely” lock your Treo device from elsewhere via a cellular connection. Like many other security software, you can send a text (SMS) message to your Treo and using a specially formatted phrased text message, can set your Treo to be automatically be locked. Warden goes a step further in that you can select whether the text message is sent in “clear text” meaning that it is sent over the air and without any security on the transport, or secure, meaning that the text message is sent via a secure medium. This can be remotely activated either by sending the text message through lockmymobile.com, or via a phone call with a previously set combination of a numeric passcode. Having this option allows that extra layer of security to prevent anyone from “sniffing” or intercepting the packets of unsecured data through the air. You can choose from the option of “clear text”, “secure” or a combination of both, which gives you flexibility on the locking options.

Aside from remotely “locking” the device, Warden also allows you the ability to encrypt the data stored on the SD card, preventing anyone from accessing the data stored on it. In addition, you can also specify various different actions remotely, such as sending a personal text message to the person who has your Treo, wiping out the data on your Treo to permanently prevent access to your data, in addition to being able to allow either or both you and the person who has your Treo to contact each other. And there’s so much more features that I have not even touched on.

To give you a better idea of how the program works, I’ve created videos of Warden broken into two parts where I try to go over most of the features to give you a better idea of what the program offers. Again, it’s impossible to show everything about the program so I’m sure I’ve missed quite a bit in the videos as well as in the review. Again, read the manual to get a much more comprehensive idea of the program.

Warden video Part 1

Alternative links: Vimeo

Warden video Part 2

Alternative links: Vimeo

Here are my observations of the program. What can I say? It’s impressive. My last security software review was a very basic one. This obviously beats it in a big way. I love how the program offers the emergency contact and medical information so that it’s not just a security application. I really love the capability to be able to “contact” the person who has your Treo in hopes that you can persuade him or her to return it. First, the ability in the program to allow a direct call to your number gives that good samaritan to do the right thing. Second, you can send a text message to him or her, somewhat in a semi-personal but not too direct way. And also, via a phone call that you can initiate yourself. The phone is still blocked (all calls are forwarded to your voicemail for extra security) but you are able to contact the holder of your Treo.

I love how the program can encrypt the data on the SD card and be automatically locked if the SD card is removed, when cellular coverage is unavailable, when a system reset is performed, and the list goes on. I also love how even doing a hotsync would be prevented without entering the password.

My only quip about the program is, much like other security programs, in order to allow a regularly scheduled backup to occur daily, I have to disable the option of locking when a system reset is performed. Since I always schedule a soft reset before a backup, Warden would lock the Treo and nothing happens until I wake up and unlock it. That’s not a big deal, but it obviously does somewhat put a wrench into my normal daily operation. I’m one of those people who want to have security, but won’t want to compromise if it means that I’m always having to enter passwords to unlock it. So, convenience is very important to me.

After saying that, the Quick Access whereby you input a combination of hardware buttons to unlock the device is a nice feature to have. This somewhat makes it easier to unlock it when it auto locks after you’ve turned off the screen.

A suggestion along the same lines for easy access and unlocking may be to allow unlocking if it detects the tapping of the stylus at a very specific area on the screen or even a special stroke to unlock it. Unlike something like Picture Password, I would probably keep the main Warden screen as not to make it too obvious that it can be unlocked by a tap of the stylus. As for the special stroke, it can be from one corner of the screen to the other, or from one point on the screen to another. Of course, implementing these will obviously make it somewhat “less secure” because the more ways to unlock the device means it’s much easier to unlock it. These are suggestions and should be taken as such as I’m perfectly happy with what the program offers: a good balance between security and convenience. To me, what good is security if it only frustrates or gets in the way? What usually will end up happening is that you will abandon the security software and regret it later when you do need it. Warden is great because it allows me security without much inconvenience.

One other thing that I like about this software, more on a different note, is that because the program offers the ability to phone the Treo, even when it’s locked, should I unexpectedly “lose” the Treo somewhere in my house, that I can still call my Treo and locate it, even when it’s locked. So, think of this as a “lost and found” feature. But of course, that all depends on the level of battery your Treo still has. Hee. Hee.

Overall, I am astonished at the level of security and features that Warden can offer, yet allow me, the user, the ability to set what level of features and security I wish to have. Although I may not necessarily need all the features, it’s nice to know that I can select from amongst the choices and features available, allowing me to customize what I want, yet provide me with the option to secure the device at times when I do need it.

I strongly recommend this security software since I think it offers so much more than many other security programs available, and at a price that is comparable to others. I love how the program also doubles as an emergency contact and info program as well, for those who may need it when they are not able to communicate, allowing others to have access to vital information that can save your life. And, having your emergency contact numbers readily available is also a nice plus.

As a security program, I really like how it can be customized to suit what I want. The added bonus of being able to contact the person who has your Treo either via a phone call or text message as well as the activation of the lock via a phone call is something that I didn’t see in other programs. The added bonus of live customer support at their lockmymobile website M-F 7am-5pm EST is something that I consider very important, knowing that there is someone available during those times to answer and address questions and provide support.

I haven’t really even scratched the surface of what Warden can do. I’d suggest you check it out yourself. And don’t forget to download and read their manual because there’s a lot of stuff in it.

To re-iterate, it is not only important, but crucial to have a security program on your Treo, considering that you not only have a PDA, but also your cell phone. Leaving it in the hands of a stranger can be detrimental to your livelihood, in this day and age of identity theft. Warden can be the most important program you’ve ever purchased for your Treo. Think about it.

Warden offers a 15 day trial period in which you can test out its features fully before you decide to purchase it. As well, they also offer a 30 day money back guarantee should you not be satisfied with it.

Again, a BIG THANKS to Chirag Patel of Corsoft for providing the product for the review and Jeff of Stuffbak for passing my name and info along.

You can check out Warden via Corsoft’s website, or via the lockmymobile.com website.

Or, you can also consider purchasing it via Handango and help support Palm Discovery (Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Handango)! Thanks for your support!

Warden Security for Treo (Professional Edition Palm OS)

Warden Security for Treo (Standard Edition Palm OS)

Warden Security for Treo (Lite Edition Palm OS)

Warden Security (Professional Edition Windows Mobile)

Warden Security (Standard Edition Windows Mobile)

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