I know that a lot of applications are hacked and loaded onto the BB, but I am wondering what the security level is as far as a remote user getting into or accessing anything on my SIM card or device?

I ask this because my ex husband has a history of hacking me, and has hacked my computer from a remote location. How he did this I still don't know, I only know THAT he did it. Now I have my own phone, and my security concerns as far as personal and business emails were one of the primary reasons I went with a blackberry.

My passwords are NOT stored on my computer, in any place other than Norton Identity, and even then, in limited forms. They ARE however stored on my blackberry in the password keeper program, which is password protected, and also obviously stored under Email settings. Because I lived in a state of paranoia with this man for years, I am still nervous. Can he (or lets just say anyone) hack my blackberry and retrieve passwords or other information from a remote device? My handheld is always on my person so there is no way he would ever get access to it as far as holding it in his hands, so that is why I wonder if remote hacking is possible?

I asked Rogers and the answer they gave me was not exactly comforting. They didn't say it WAS possible, only that they have never heard of this happening. But they didn't say it was impossible. Make sense? Thanks in advance!

First nothing is impossible. If you allowed someone to instal a piece of software on your device that could compromise your information. Short of that you are 100% safe. Also make sure your BlackBerry is locked.

As long as he can't get your password, he will not be able to get your data. If you set a password on your device it will wipe the device if the password is entered 10 times incorrectly. Same with Password Keeper (will wipe the password keeper app after 10 wrong attempts.) So, unless he can guess your password, your data is secure. There is no way to hack that. It's never been done.

Just wondering what applications have been hacked and put onto a BlackBerry?

The BlackBerry OS has not been hacked. There is an application that can be loaded to track messages, but that came be pushed down without your knowledge. Don't let your husband anywhere near your BB, and don't load application that you don't know or understand, and you will be fine.

The BlackBerry is a very secure device.

Ok, now I have a dumb question. How do I put a password on the device itself? I thought putting one on Password Keeper was enough....tx tho, already feeling more relieved!

Honestly I would say you are totally safe.

To set a device password:

Options > Security Options > General Settings > Turn Password to Enable

Thanks so much!! For the tip AND the reassurance!

Don't use a password he might be able to guess and you'll be fine. Good luck.

Ditto what John Clark said, and be sure to keep your BlackBerry in your possession at all times, in your site or on your body. Make sure you use a complex password, combination of lower case, upper case, numbers and/or other characters, like %.

The more complex, though, the more likely you'll forget it yourself. So, find a happy medium. Also, make a backup. Keep it on an SD card that's in your BB. That way it's not available on the computer without your BB.

Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile 8120)

Doesn't the government use blackberry?

Yes they do and the reason is for the security.

Your ex, no. I would say that you are reasonably safe from him hacking your BB. But as been said, take precautions. Don't chose a password he can guess, and don't install anything you are not assured of yourself.
On the other hand, the government is a different story.

The Blotter: Can You Hear Me Now?

The basic level of encryption with the Blackberry OS is 2048 bit. That's some serious sh!t. Even the NSA needed a back door installed at RIM (remember those BB outages last year?) in order to get BB users' information in a timely fashion. So if the NSA needed help, I'd call the Blackberry pretty much "hack proof".

Okay, but is BB idiot proof?

Just joking around .... of course it is.

No, they give them to anybody.

Hence this forum

Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile 8120)

Lol

And hence the number of people here at least 2-3 a day asking how they can get in their BlackBerry (or someone else's BlackBerry) even though they entered the wrong (or don't know the) password. It ain't happening.

Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile 8120)

I think the master password is the numeric version of "fairy" ;)

Thank you EVERYONE for such awesome responses!!! I feel SO much better now, you have no idea what it's like worrying about stuff like this ALL the time and the detailed information you all have given me is SO very helpful. So glad I found this forum, and a million times thank you!!

I had my own BB wiped 'cause I couldn't remember a complicated password I set when I was half-sleeping. I just had to watch it wipe itself. No problem, I had everything backed up.

In addition to securing your device with strong passwords, you should also examine any online email accounts you have. Be sure those passwords are changed as well, and check the forwarding section to be sure that he hasn't set up a forwarding address. This would circumvent any security on the device, as the breach would occur before the email hit your device. i.e. a forwarding address would essentially "CC" him on any email you get, as it is sent to your device.

Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile 8120)

Jeez.. Would someone really be THAT crazy?

LOL.. watch the news much? Read a paper? People are indeed that crazy.

Okay. I had a password set on my BB b/c alot of my friends just kept going through stuff on my phone. I was sitting at my computer and I got a txt and my phone locks pretty fast so it was locked. I went to enter the same password I have used for months and it said it was incorrect. Frustrated I tried again, and yeah we all know 10 tries and your done. So since I have everything backed up on memory cards and sim cards I let it wipe out my phone. Nobody at my house has my password nor would they be able to try and guess because it is beside me or in my hands at all times. Can someone hack in and change your password? How does that happen? I feel nervous about it.

AFAIK the only way someone can change your password is if they get ahold of it when it unlocks and change it then.

you can make the passwords as secure as possible, but there is a piece of software that I am using called Unite This. It is like a mini BES. All you have to do is activate by attaching the phone to a USB (in simplest terms) and the computer. The admin then will have power to wipe, change lock password, push/pull files to a shared folder, monitor phone logs, web logs, etc. Its a blackberry made app. If in your service books you have "Unite This!" or something similar to that, you have that installed on your phone. also if you are not on BES, then your firewall should be disabled. If on BES or Unite This!, it will be locked. just a thought....

Well actually in order to change the past word u have to type in the original pass word.
Blackberry has thought of everything :D

But wasn't the BB deemed not secure enough by the Secret Service for Obama to keep his? Nothing is really hack proof.

There are two keys to this - physical and remote access to the device. If you lose the device physically then your only hope is password protect it just like any device. As far as remote access goes, it all depends if there is a way to remote connect to the device. I assume there is a way to do this for every phone since any decent corporate mobile offering will have a way to not only update devices remotely but also wipe them remotely in case of theft.

Actually there is another option I hadn't thought of - the reading of what is transmitted via the phone. I have no clue on this but I would imagine there are ways to read what is said or transmitted by a phone unless the phone encrypts everything. Or maybe that is just in spy movies.

LOL! if they gave me one, they really don't care who they hand them out to.

That was not due to security so much, but moreso the Presidential Papers Act which preserves any document the President writes or communicates during his term in office. The BlackBerry, because of its security, makes it much more difficult to do.

And, they, the SS and the staff, doesn't want the President popping off emails and text to just anyone, "Hey baby, meet you at nine", know what I mean?

It is encrypted. Don't worry, it is.

But, yes there is always the coming chance.

Hack Proof for now.. *Knocks on wood* .. Of course you have to take normal measures..

So the Blackberry was TOO SECURE for President Obama. I guess it's secure enough for me.

Crap, so he's not coming. That explains why it is an hour past nine and no Obama. It doesn't explain why he is calling me baby, I am a guy...