| Windows Mobile app nukes stolen data |
Nov. 04, 2008
 U.K. company Virtuity has announced a software application and service designed to delete the contents of lost or stolen Windows Mobile phones. "BackStopp Mobile" also uses cellular or WiFi connectivity to attempt pinpointing a missing device's location (left), the company says.
According to Virtuity, the "BackStopp Mobile" product includes both a Windows Mobile software component and a hosted service, the latter integrated with a similar offering for Windows desktops, laptops, and servers. When mobile phones are stolen, users notify Virtuity by calling an operator or logging onto the BackStopp website. At that point, a "decommission instruction" gets entered into the system for the device, the company says.
BackStopp architecture
Source: Virtuity
On a phone, Virtuity explains, the BackStopp Mobile client checks for "secure" decommission instructions every time the device is connected to the Internet. If one is found, the software springs into action, deleting data files, emails, text messages, contacts, and all other personal information on the phone. BackStopp also complies with U.S. DoD (Department of Defense standards) by overwriting deleted data so it can't be recovered, the company adds.
BackStopp's device decommissioning report
Users don't have to just hope that data was deleted, Virtuity claims, because the company's server-side software creates a device decommissioning report (above) that lists all files that were deleted, complete with information on the last time they were accessed. The report also includes a map of the device's last-known location, as calculated using triangulation via cellular towers, the company says.
As mentioned above, the BackStopp Mobile software relies on an infrastructure that was previously created for BackStopp, designed to protect Windows notebooks, laptops, and servers. Virtuity announced a version 2.0 upgrade of BackStopp last week with a variety of new features. Some of these touted additions may apply to the Windows Mobile release too, though the company did not provide further specifics:- Use of RFID, in addition to the existing cellular and WiFI methodologies, to track device location
- Destruction of Windows boot files, rendering decommissioned devices useless
- An SMS alert service that messages owners when their devices are seen to leave predesignated areas
- Integration with HR systems, providing automatic decommissioning of ex-employees' devices
BackStopp 1.0 features already included volume encryption and photos, possibly identifying a thief, that are taken with a webcam automatically as a device is being decommissioned, Virtuity says. The company adds that when notebooks have built-in cellular chips or are being used with USB cellular modems, BackStopp can receive decommissioning instructions and delete data even before a user logs on.
Further information
BackStopp Mobile appears to be available now, but Virtuity did not provide pricing information. More information may be available from the company's website, here.
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