Review Conditions
WaveSecure from tenCube was installed on a Nokia 5800 XPressMusic, an S60 5th edition device with Symbian OS version 9.4.
Installation
The WaveSecure binary file can be downloaded at m.wavesecure.com. It can also be downloaded at the WaveSecure website or you can get the download link via SMS to any country anywhere in the world. At about 850 kb, the installation goes to the phone memory by default. Its a relief that you don’t have keep track of newer versions or different installer versions for different devices. At m.wavesecure.com, your device is automatically detected and the right version is automatically downloaded.
First View
Securing your smart phone, which has become a single device for all purposes is of paramount importance. We have already reviewed a similar product, SecureMe that provides similar functionality. Lets see how WaveSecure measures up.
Main Review
To activate WaveSecure on the device, you need to enter user name, a 6-digit PIN and a buddy’s mobile number. Once activated, you can secure the device and also back up Contacts, SMS, Calendar and Call Logs on the web. Backup of Media is under development.
To secure the device, the PIN must be entered again. There are several options to secure the phone. You can change or setup the Buddy Notification. You can configure the device to be locked when the SIM is changed. The phone can be locked or wiped clean and the PIN can be changed. Too many options are hidden under the “Secure Phone” menu. The lock option could have been outside, for a single click lock. Because the PIN change menu is under the Secure Phone menu, you are forced to enter the PIN even for other configurations.
There is also a left soft key “Option” using which you can lock the device. The softkey also has options to check for updates or to get a new PIN. The options on left soft key could have been moved to the main menu too.
Backup can be done for each data separately or for all of them. Backup can also be automated. It appeared that I could use only the GPRS connection for backup and restore of the phone data. WiFi couldn’t be used. For large data, this could be a bottle neck.
On the web, WaveSecure allows you to perform all the operations that can be done on the device. In addition, if an unauthorized SIM was used, you could retrieve all the SMS and Call logs and use that information to track the thief.
Handling
Installation and sign-up was very simple and quick. My device was secured within minutes. I liked the feature of tracking the device and locking the device remotely from the web.
WaveSecure cannot be uninstalled without entering the password. This is a good feature and strengthens the security of the mobile device.
The website logged me out after a few minutes of inactivity. I wasn’t sure if it was a security measure or a server overload. I’d prefer to see the login prompt again.
Weaknesses
WiFi was sorely missed. Backup of a small amount of data took a long time over GPRS/Edge.
Wipe out should give me options to wipe only certain data. I don’t have the option of backing up my media, so why should WaveSecure wipe out my media? That was hard to digest.
Conclusion
WaveSecure is a fine solution for securing your device against unauthorized access and prevents loss of data. You could even track down the thief, if you are lucky. It is supported on a wide rage of smart phones from various handsets vendors.
For owners of selected Nokia devices in India, WaveSecure is provided free-of-charge and is pre-installed in the device when its purchased. The device can be activated here.
For others, WaveSecure comes with a 1-day free trial or can be purchased for $21.14 for a 1-year license or for $7.05 for a 90-day license. Its good stuff and I would give it 4 of 5.
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Great review.
dani2xll.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/wavesecure.html