[genvej]

Hi.

My question is pretty simple.

I have heard different versions regarding the Blackberry. Is the device encrypted or is it open like any other phone??

[aiharkness]

The user can turn content protection on or off, as desired. This encrypts info on the device. I'm not really knowledgeable on the signal between various points in the system, so leave that to others if it is also part of your question.

Why do you ask?

Additionally: I looked at you other posts and gather you may be asking from a BES perspective, so I'll add that I would assume content protection is something that can be enabled or disabled via the BES, i.e. forced on the user.

[genvej]

Im just uncertain how easy it would be for someone to copy then contents of my harddisk if stolen.

[penguin3107]

I'm confused as to what you are asking.

Your harddisk? In what relation to the BlackBerry?
Are you referring to the .ipd file backup on your computer?

The BlackBerry doesn't have a harddisk in it.

On the device, you can encrypt the data. If the device is sufficiently protected, it would be impossible for your data to be accessed if the device was lost/stolen.
The BlackBerry prides itself on security, and it is most certainly NOT like any other phone.
Security is the reason that many divisions of the US Government use BlackBerry as well as many large public and private companies.

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Hard disk?....... If you set a password, the blackberry will wipe all user data if the password is entered incorrectly too many times. Content protection, as I understand it, is to guard against accessing and retrieving data from the chips themselves. The password is going to protect the typical user, I think.

[genvej]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

I'm confused as to what you are asking.

Your harddisk? In what relation to the BlackBerry?
Are you referring to the .ipd file backup on your computer?

The BlackBerry doesn't have a harddisk in it.

On the device, you can encrypt the data. If the device is sufficiently protected, it would be impossible for your data to be accessed if the device was lost/stolen.
The BlackBerry prides itself on security, and it is most certainly NOT like any other phone.
Security is the reason that many divisions of the US Government use BlackBerry as well as many large public and private companies.

(By harddisk i meant the chips on the device. Im no wiz on the hardware stuff)

Im aware about the BB security prioritization, however... impossible is nothing

Lets say im running without content protection...
I assume that i would be fairly easy (with the right means) to copy the data

say im running with content protection...
The data are retreivable however in an encrypted format?

Im real sorry if i dont use the correct terms, bare with me and let me elaborate if im mixing terms

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Wow!!.... What are you putting on that blackberry, and who are you worried is trying to steal it?

If you don't want anyone picking up your blackberry and going through your address book and calendar and messages, enable the password feature. I dare say you will be sufficiently protected. Your info cannot be retrieved 'fairly easily' by the person who randomly picks up a lost blackberry.

If your interest is more than that or you are just curious, I doubt anyone here is going to want to go into it except to say many agencies dealing with extremely sensitive information choose the blackberry, and indeed these communities were some of the first customers in part for this reason.

[genvej]

content protection anyone?

is it a software encryption?

[d_fisher]

The easiest way to secure this data from loss or theft is to enable the device password. This will automatically lock your BB after xx minutes of inactivity. If someone gets your BB they have a maximum of 10 attempts to unlock the device before everything on the device is erased. For anyone to copy the data from your BlackBerry to their PC they must enter this device password.

If you want even more protection you can enable the content protection which enables stronger levels of encryption. You can read more about the BlackBerry security HERE.

[johnling]

Originally Posted by genvej

content protection anyone?

is it a software encryption?

You can turn on encryption for the MicroSD card. Then, password protect your Phone. Keep backups and password protect your computer. You will be 100% safe. About 8 years back the FBI and CIA went to court to have code released to them that would allow them to decrypt information as they could not even get through it. Those would be the only two entities that could get it. If you are worried about them they will get the info. Otherwise, the chances are ultra slim to none.

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by johnling

Those would be the only two entities that could get it.

You should read up on the NSA.

[johnling]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

You should read up on the NSA.

Oh yes. Probably Homeland Security too now.

[genvej]

Originally Posted by johnling

You can turn on encryption for the MicroSD card. Then, password protect your Phone. Keep backups and password protect your computer. You will be 100% safe. About 8 years back the FBI and CIA went to court to have code released to them that would allow them to decrypt information as they could not even get through it. Those would be the only two entities that could get it. If you are worried about them they will get the info. Otherwise, the chances are ultra slim to none.

So... your saying that they got the code to decrypt??