Private data
Private data could be personally harmful but not financially harmful for you if viewed by others. By using a built-in feature of the Palm OS, this type of data may be protected by setting a password and using the Hide Records option built in to your PalmPilot's OS. This may be done by tapping the Applications silk screen and selecting the Security icon. By assigning a password you will then be able to have records that you may mark Private when editing. You do this by selecting Edit, Details, then Private. The problem with this technique is that if your PalmPilot is lost, the person finding your PalmPilot could have the ability to hot-synch and then look at your private records in a text editor, so it is not a highly secure means to protect your data. Keep this in mind when you are assigning private records: someone could read them if they were sophisticated enough to use HotSync and a text editor. If you have set a password in this manner, hot-synching to a computer that is not "yours" should require a password, however, different versions of the desktop software do not have this feature.

In addition, you should also install a program called SafeHack, a "Hack" that automatically turns the "Show Private Records" option to "Hide" every time you turn on the PalmPilot device. That way if you forget to "Hide" private records and someone else picks up your PalmPilot and turns it on they will not be able to view your private data. This is an added level of protection that takes away the human error.

Security Data
Security data requires the highest level of protection called encryption. This will prevent even sophisticated hackers from being able to view your most critical data. Your PalmPilot OS does not include this level of protection. To achieve this level of security you must install a third party program called Mobile Account Manager (MAM). MAM, shown in Figure A, resides on your PalmPilot and actually encrypts data stored in its database using a proprietary encryption methodology. This data may be replicated, for redundancy, and is protected by a password, making it virtually impossible to view information such as frequent flyer IDs, credit card numbers, PINs, or login IDs. This program is a must if you are planning to keep this type of information on your PalmPilot. Of course, not putting this sensitive data on your PalmPilot is another option.

FIGURE A

MAM resides on your PalmPilot and encrypts data stored in its database using a proprietary encryption methodology.

Mobile Account Manager by Mobile Generation Software has a free trial version on their website that can be purchased after trial and activated by passcode for $19.95. Go to their site (see the ad below) for trial version and purchase options.

One final note. HotSync often. If you do not own a PC, find someone you trust who does and HotSync as often as possible. Make it a habit. Have someone make a diskette copy for you, or create your own, and keep it in a safe place away from your PC and PalmPilot as an added level of redundancy. You will never know how much you need or miss your PalmPilot until you do not have it. Take it from someone who learned a valuable lesson and recovered safely with only a few mistakes and a little sunburn.