Mobile Tweaks

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review Conditions

Handy Phoneguard from Epocware was installed on two devices, a Nokia 5800 XPressMusic, an S60 5th edition device with Symbian OS 9.4 and a Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition FP1 device with Symbian OS 9.3.

Installation

Installation is simply via the Nokia Application Installer available in the Nokia PC Suite.

First Look

Handy Phoneguard is yet another security application for S60 Smartphones. We have reviewed 2 security applications in the past, WaveSecure and SecureMe.  Lets see how Handy Phoneguard stacks up.

Main Review

Handy Phoneguard, in addition to securing general access to the Symbian Smartphone, which is a keypad / touch screen lock, also allows the user to secure applications and stored information (contacts, messages, notes, settings, images, videos, etc.) from unauthorized use.

Securing Phone, Data & Applications

Phone security comes with the usual features of screen lock at power on and automatic lock after a configurable number of minutes. The application also locks out immediately, when it goes to the background to avoid misuse.

Both on the Nokia 5800 and the E71, the locked screen displays the number pad for touch typing the password, along with the owner’s name, mobile phone number, email and address, which can be configured in the Owner Info menu in the application.

When you open a protected application, the splash screen is displayed giving owner information, asking for the password.

SMS Alerts and Remote Lock / Wipe

When the SIM card is changed, Handy Phoneguard sends an SMS to the friend’s mobile number with the IMSI of the rogue SIM card.

Now the friend can send an SMS [lock "password" or wipe "password"] to that number to lock out the device or delete your confidential information on the device when remote SMS lock/wipe command is activated.

You also have the IMSI number of the thief with which he can be tracked down with the help of the mobile operator.

Handling

Handy Phoneguard employs just one secured password for all protection functions enabled. This saves the hassle of having to remember many passwords. But it still asks you for the password for accessing each application and data that’s protected. It could get a little annoying for day to day use. The best way is to enable protection for applications and data only when you travel, because the chances of losing the device is higher or when the Smartphone is loaned to someone.

I liked the option to deactivate Phoneguard. This way, you can use it normally and still secure it when the need arises, with just a touch.

When the memory card is protected and you try to access the device via Bluetooth, Windows hanged. I had to hard reboot my desktop and then disable protection for the memory card to access the memory card. This could have been gracefully handled.

Weaknesses

When the phone rings, the caller information is not displayed on the screen.  The Phone application should be allowed to override Phoneguard and let me know who the caller is. I could pick up the call, only because the Nokia 5800 has hardware keys. This won’t be possible for the Nokia 5530, a touch screen phone without any hardware keys.

Some operations like Music Player controls – play, pause, etc., should be allowed access even when the mobile is locked out. When I need to immediately pause play, I don’t want to be unlocking the device first.

Conclusion

Handy Phoneguard can be downloaded here. WaveSecure does not have the option to secure applications or data while SecureMe lets you secure some data but not all that Handy Phoneguard does. I found Handy Phoneguard to have the most useful features and a clean and simple interface. Its a must have and I’ll give it 5 of 5.

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Source: Best of Symbian – S60 Software Reviews