Log in

View Full Version : Infotecs Releases ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC


Darius Wey
06-02-2005, 11:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infotecs.biz/Soft/safe_diskppc.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.infotecs.biz/Soft/safe_diskppc.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"INFOTECS, the leading innovator in data security software, today announces the unveiling of ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC. This application is designed for PDA owners who can now protect their personal information from prying eyes by encrypting and password-protecting their sensitive files. ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC builds on the success of ViPNet Safe Disk for Windows Desktop that has seen the highest customer adoption over the last five years. The new version offers PDA owners the same unbeatable combination of data protection options and the ability to exchange confidential data between a PDA and a desktop computer."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050602-ViPNet.gif" /><br /><br />Security company, Infotecs, has just released ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC. Some if its features include automatic container mounting, confidential data support between the PC and Pocket PC, a multi-UI, an integrated password generator and event log, and integration with the Today screen. A single-user license costs US$26.40. More information can be found <a href="http://www.infotecs.biz/Soft/safe_diskppc.htm">here</a>.

Phillip Dyson
06-02-2005, 02:39 PM
Security has been on my mind increasingly more and more. Okay there's a bit redundancy there. :)

But I'm looking for something that I can do for my on board data as well as external cards.

The two things that I want most are:
Transparency - I just want a single logon and all of my data is accessible by me and their respective programs. This includes the built in PIM databases. I also don't want to have to explicitly protected every single piece of data. I would like to be able to areas and just drop stuff into it.
Performance - I don't want my PDA to slow down anymore than it already has.

Oh and stability... and security ... and ease of use ...

Phillip Dyson
06-02-2005, 02:46 PM
I just sent an email to the company asking about built in PIM encryption. Also integration with Activesync and OTA synchronization with Exchnage.

Then when I saw that the confirmation page was not in english I realized that the company is not an english company. I guess I should have none by the TLD. :oops:

I'll wait and see if I get an english response.

js
06-02-2005, 06:05 PM
Security has been on my mind increasingly more and more. Okay there's a bit redundancy there. :)

But I'm looking for something that I can do for my on board data as well as external cards.

The two things that I want most are:
Transparency - I just want a single logon and all of my data is accessible by me and their respective programs. This includes the built in PIM databases. I also don't want to have to explicitly protected every single piece of data. I would like to be able to areas and just drop stuff into it.
Performance - I don't want my PDA to slow down anymore than it already has.

Oh and stability... and security ... and ease of use ...

That sounds about like my needs as well. I'm especially interested in external storage card security. If my device is lost, I wouldn't want the SD/CF card data to be read by someone with a PC, etc.

I installed the trial of this app and browsed through the pdf help file, but now have a headache.....8O

If someone actually gets this running, let us know how well it works.

Thanks.

packetstorm
06-02-2005, 07:24 PM
I am interested in storage card security. Are there any better known and tested alternatives ?

welovejesus
06-03-2005, 05:23 AM
I couldn't help but notice on the website (http://www.infotecs.biz/Soft/safe_diskppc.htm) that ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC takes "At least 2.8 Mb of free memory for the ViPNet Safe Disk installation (internal or external memory)." 8O ?! 2.8 MB?! Senty 2020 for Pocket PC (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_ce.html) is only a fraction of that and supports much more Pocket PC OS versions!

ViPNet answers their question, "Why is ViPNet Safe Disk better than other similar products?" with four main points: 15 years security experience, seemless use between the desktop and PPC counterparts, on the fly encryption, and a "stand by" encryption. Keep in mind that all four points are supposed to differentiate ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC from its competitors' similar products. Let's consider the following.

Fifteen years past experience does not necessarily prove a new product to be more stable or more secure than their competitors' products. SoftWinter has the most important feature--a product with a stable track record. Just look at the Handango user reviews (http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&amp;platformId=2&amp;productType=2&amp;productId=12315&amp;sectionId=0&amp;catalog=30&amp;topSectionId=-1&amp;review=1), PocketNow.com review (http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&amp;t=reviews&amp;id=314), a geek.com review (http://www.geek.com/hwswrev/wince/sentry/), and a Pocket PC Thoughts review (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12608), which all give Sentry 2020 for PPC their approval. Personal experience with both the desktop and PPC edition has never resulted in data loss or security compromise.
Sentry 2020 has a corresponding desktop version (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_nt.html), which works seemlessly with the Sentry 2020 PPC version. (I use them both all the time).
"On the fly" encryption has been used by Sentry 2020 already.
"ViPNet Safe Disk for Pocket PC requires entering a password even after a 'stand by' period," which is the only truly a differentiating feature listed. However, Sentry 2020 has a timeout feature where the mounted volume will automatically unmount within the user specified time.
SoftWinter has a promise of no back doors, which ViPNet has not stated one way or another. See the informative SoftWinter's Sentry 2020 for PPC FAQ (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_faq.html) and documentation (http://www.softwinter.com/documentation/ce/Sentry04.htm).

One point to consider is that ViPNet's Safe Disk + Safe Disk for Pocket PC costs $36.99 where SoftWinters Sentry 2020 desktop and PPC bundle costs $84.95. SoftWinter has made it clear that "Price includes lifetime free upgrades." ViPNet has not clearly stated their upgrade price policy.

welovejesus
06-03-2005, 05:26 AM
That sounds about like my needs as well. I'm especially interested in external storage card security. If my device is lost, I wouldn't want the SD/CF card data to be read by someone with a PC, etc.

I installed the trial of this app and browsed through the pdf help file, but now have a headache.....8O

If someone actually gets this running, let us know how well it works.

Thanks.

JS,
Sentry 2020 for Pocket PC (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_ce.html) is easy to use. (At least for me). It's worth giving a try.

welovejesus
06-03-2005, 05:29 AM
I just sent an email to the company asking about built in PIM encryption. Also integration with Activesync and OTA synchronization with Exchnage.

Then when I saw that the confirmation page was not in english I realized that the company is not an english company. I guess I should have none by the TLD. :oops:

I'll wait and see if I get an english response.
sojourner753,
SoftWinter, maker of Sentry 2020 for Pocket PC (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_ce.html), responds to its customers in English. It's been such a long time since I have contacted them that I don't remember how long it takes them to respond. The most important part is that I don't have to contact SoftWinter, since their product is so stable.

welovejesus
06-03-2005, 05:39 AM
I am interested in storage card security. Are there any better known and tested alternatives ?
packetstorm,
The reason I personally recommend Sentry 2020 for Pocket PC (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_ce.html) is that they have a proven track record with stabilty. I have over 100 MB of commercial and free programs (not including data) installed on my PDA and have never experienced one program conflict with Sentry 2020 for the Pocket PC.
What is so nice about the Sentry 2020 PPC and desktop bundle is that I can take my SD Card and easily mount it on my desktop or laptop. Also, I can just copy the key and volume (just two files) over to another source for a quick back up!

js
06-03-2005, 06:40 PM
That sounds about like my needs as well. I'm especially interested in external storage card security. If my device is lost, I wouldn't want the SD/CF card data to be read by someone with a PC, etc.

I installed the trial of this app and browsed through the pdf help file, but now have a headache.....8O

If someone actually gets this running, let us know how well it works.

Thanks.

JS,
Sentry 2020 for Pocket PC (http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_ce.html) is easy to use. (At least for me). It's worth giving a try.

Well, it doesn't seem to be easy for me....with the trial I tried to mount a drive that I made and only get an error message. I have an email in to support.

EDIT: Well, Sentry 2020 it is!! My problem happened only because I was trying to use the calligrapher numpad to enter my passwords and I kept getting an error message. As soon as I used the standard keyboard it worked.

This seems to be a much better solution for me (storage cards), especially with the WinXP/PPC bundle.

Good luck.

hoffman
06-04-2005, 06:47 PM
I installed safedisk on my iPAQ and after trying to get it working so it would accept files or data and reading their PDF file about 3 times as well as spending about 3 hours on it I gave up. I would also like to hear if anybody can get this software working.
I hate to have to give up before I have solved the problem but this programme was unsolvable.
Regards hoffman

Phillip Dyson
06-04-2005, 07:17 PM
I installed safedisk on my iPAQ and after trying to get it working so it would accept files or data and reading their PDF file about 3 times as well as spending about 3 hours on it I gave up. I would also like to hear if anybody can get this software working.
I hate to have to give up before I have solved the problem but this programme was unsolvable.
Regards hoffman

I hate to give up on things myself being a tech person (software developer) especially when you know that given a sufficient amount of time and patience. But sometimes things should just work.

I haven't tried this product yet.