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The SmrtGuard team notified us yesterday about v1.95 is ready and you should update your SmrtGuard now. There are some critical fixes and enhancements to help you feel even more assured. Remember that a happy BlackBerry is an updated one. The updates addresses security issues to keep you even more secured.
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SmrtGuard is pushing their new update v1.95 next week. New security features and improvements will be added to the app but they will still keep your user-friendly experience as simple as possible. Â SmrtGuard is a great security app that secures your BlackBerry smartphone and data, providing you with OTA backup/restore, remote tracking, and remote data wiping.
Features included are:
More ROBUST Remote Wiping that will wipe Password Keeper, Facebook, uninstallatoin Phone application (prevent international calling from a stolen phone).
Backup and Restore will be SECURED by Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption.
Simple yet secure new-activation and re-activation process iwth unique key exchange mechanism.
And more.
You can find SmrtGuard in the BlackBerry Sync Store with three different subscription options. You can purchase the monthly subscription for $3.99, a bi-annual subscription for $22.99, and the yearly subscription for $44.99.
You can purchase any of the SmrtGuard subscriptions from the BlackBerry Sync Store here >
If you’ve used SmrtGuard, please share your thoughts. It’s a great app that offers peace of mind and security.
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We just got an email today from SmrtGuard, and SmrtGuard has released an upgrade, v1.80, and customers are being urged to upgrade as the remote controls will not worked correctly until the upgrade is downloaded and installed. Please upgrade your version of SmrtGuard, a happy BlackBerry is an updated one for sure. Please consider this update as important, critical to your SmrtGuard and BlackBerry and upgrade now.
Features included are:1. Added more security to underlying messaging transport
2. Fixed Audio Ping issue on new BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry 8900 model
3. Fixed problem with disclaimer popup display more than once
4. Other minor improvements
There are two ways to upgrade.
One, go to the SmrtGuard site from your BlackBerry and click on download.
Two, on your BlackBerry:
1. Click on SmrtGuard icon
2. Click on About SmrtGuard menu
3. Click on “Check for Update”
SmrtGuard is one of the best software available for mobile security. I can’t tell you how important it is. If you haven’t heard of it, or are interested in learning more, feel free to read our review of SmrtGuard here. You can also download the program from the BlackBerry Sync Store here.
You never know what the future holds, or when the phone you hold may save your future. It seems that the very phones we find ourselves attached to can be our knight in shining armor as well. It’s stories like these two I’m going to share that will bring safety to our attention.
I don’t know if you recall the story in Columbus Ohio that happened on a Wednesday, January 7th, 2009. While this story did not involve a BlackBerry, you’ll see where I’m going with it. Alan Heuss was sitting in his BMW that night when he was ordered to get out of his car at gunpoint. The thieves took off with his car, his cash, and his cell phone. He had to file the stolen car report and went to meet friends afterwards. Well one of his friends comes up with the brilliant idea of texting the phone as if he were texting Alan, pretending to have some “hot chicks” and drugs. So you would think only in a movie such as “Pineapple Express” would that scheme work right? Wrong, the thiefs actually texted back! The texting conversation continued, Alan’s friend continued with the scenario and in the morning the thieves were waiting for the “hot chick” with the drugs to arrive and were greeted by Columbus’ finest instead. You can read more about this story from WBNS 10TV News.
Here’s the BlackBerry related story. June 14, 2009 in Pennsylvania, the BlackBerry defined the importance as the thread in life or death. On that Sunday evening Mary Wilkerson went out to dinner with her neighbor Robert Scott, and his wife. Mary drove her car. When they returned, Robert and his wife walked home, just a few houses down. Her son called police the next morning as his mother had gone missing from her home sometime during the night. When investigators asked Robert Scott if he could remember anything about the night, anything suspicious, he remembered he left his BlackBerry in her car. They told him that was all they’d need. Police had to work fast to find her, and they were able to locate by the signal the BlackBerry gave out the location. Her car was parked in an alley and police found her in the trunk. A little bruised and dehydrated, she remembered some masked men having broke into her home and kidnapped her. She’s very lucky, and so was Robert, that both Mary and the BlackBerry were unharmed. I can’t help but think that while the outcome was amazing and how fantastic it is that the BlackBerry is such a device that it can save our lives in so many ways, but if Robert had ROblock by Vapssky or SmrtGuard , he could have had the phone call out and he and police could have listened in on the phone’s surroundings. This is one of the features I really liked, that the security apps such as these enable you to use the phone as a “bug” or audio capture. Just imagine the possibilities, the potential your BlackBerry has with such a security program.
So I really thought these two stories give a lot to think about. One if by text, two if by GPS, our phones are more than just to call someone, they can actually be more than just a communication device, they are a way of giving more security. If either Alan or Robert had not had their phones with them, what might have happened? I shudder to think. So what is your opinion? While some of us suffer from COBD (Chronic Obsessive BlackBerry Disorder) or OCBD (Obsessive Compulsive BlackBerry Disorder), there is a flip side to the coin that can give us a positive aspect.
Have you ever encountered a situation like that? Did you read either of these stories before? What are your thoughts? Please share with us, we’d like to know.
[via: ABC News]
June 19th, the DNA server for SmrtGuard experienced some issues which were addressed and fixed immediately. The ability to backup information was expected to have issues temporarily and the SmrtGuard customer service had emailed their customers to alert them of the situation and of the resolution, and current expectations.
Today SmrtGuard Customer Service emailed the SmrtGuard customers to let them know that the issue was fixed but the domain name fix is still taking some time, and they are also encouraging that customers upgrade to the next available patch upgrade, v1.65. Consider this update crucial and please update your SmrtGuard.
There are three available ways to get the update: From your BlackBerry you can go to the update download here. Or from your PC through the WebLoader, you can connect your BlackBerry by the usb cord and go to the download website here. Or third, from a PC, save and download and push through with your BlackBerry Desktop Manager, you can download the zip for your pc from here.
Please keep in mind it’s very important to keep your BlackBerry device software updated, and update the apps as often as the updates come out to avoid any issues later.
Thanks to Kelly Sonora, who alerted us to a really informative post that the e-Justice Blog posted, entitled: 50 Ways to Make Your BlackBerry More Like Obama’s. We know President Barack Obama is the poster addict for BlackBerry Addicts/Advocates alike. And he had to wait for his BlackBerry, which is now extra secure and top secret. I’m going to highlight the article that tells you how to emulate his phone.
There are two pieces of hardware advised. The 8830 World BlackBerry which has no camera, a long lasting battery, and all the great features BlackBerry has such as GPS and email. The other piece of hardware you need is NSA customization. While the average person may not be able to get that for their phone, remember that SMobile Systems carries an assortment of software designed for security and is also used by the government as well consumer versions.
Going with the theme today of Security Sunday, this review is on the SmrtGuard-Your Smart Phone Guardian by Smrt Guard. SmrtGuard is software security to protect your phone and your information. Remember, movie stars should be examples, and as Kevin Bacon and Paris Hilton have so kindly taught us: Don’t let this happen to you.
So what is SmrtGuard and what does it mean to you? Well, SmrtGuard is a security software program that is designed to protect your phone and your information. You’re able to track your BlackBerry with no GPS required. You are able to fully wipe sensitive data on the BlackBerry from where you are. You can back up all your sensitive data which includes: PIMs; call logs; emails and more. You can back up and restore your personal data (you might want to do that every so often, so when you do lose your BlackBerry, and have to wipe it, that you have those things you want to save on hand). The data can be accessed through the SmrtGuard web portal. You can use audio ping to locate your phone, even if it’s on mute.
With SmrtGuard, you are able to:
The Personal Guardian will allow you to send a distress SMS/Email/Call with a single button push. The SimCard Guardian alerts users that an unregistered Sim card being used in the phone. You can use it to remotely lock the phone or use it to remotely listen to the phone’s surroundings.
I received the product and began to install. The first step when installing this product is to register and activate the account online from your pc. Step two is to install the program on the phone and activate. For best results, they advise using the BlackBerry native email account from your phone, this is the one your carrier gives you free with your BlackBerry. I was really excited. The controls on the phone are really easy to use. A few extra controls on the phone are setting up the Personal Guardian or SIMs Card Guardian. The Personal Guardian allows you to set a button that you hold for a few seconds and it calls an emergency contact. It’s your own 911.
So while looking at the controls on the phone, there were several options on the phone besides the Personal Guardian. On the phone you can set up the Backup options and how often. You can set up your Restore options, Your Data options, and Follow Me. With Backup you can choose Contacts, Memos, Tasks, Events, Call Logs, and Emails. With Restore you can choose the same as above. Your Data shows how man Memos, Tasks, Contacts, Events, Call Log Counts, Emails, and File Counts you have on your handheld. Follow Me you can choose on foot or in vehicle. In a Vehicle it will keep track of you every three minutes and on foot it will keep track every five minutes. You can stop follow from the phone as well. In Personal Guardian you can have the phone call a contact or 911 and email another if you hold the “panic” button.
The Dashboard has so much available to you. In the Dashboard you have a map. Now they do let you know it is not 100% accurate so I cannot fault them for the map not being on target. In fact, it was quite off. The map is powered by Google Maps. You have the options Track My BB, Stop Tracking, Self-Destruct, Self-Destruct Test, Remote Listen, Locate My BB, Audio Ping, and Lock Device. With Track My BB, it will track the BlackBerry every five minutes. It will stop when you stop. Locate My BB will only check once and show the location on the map. In this you have the option to show location as to how many hours. By default it is set to 24 hours. Audio Ping is to help you find your phone. It will make a noise till it is turned off. The Self-Destruct Test will do a practice run but will not destroy any data, unlike the actual Self-Destruct will. You can also allow a “loved-one” to track you, giving them piece of mind, with Loved-One Tracker . The only tab they will be able to view after you set it up is the Tracker. You can also register your spouse’s and child’s BlackBerry with the SmrtGuard so that you can track them as well. I tested the many features and was impressed. Self Destruct Test was pretty neat, and of course I didn’t do the actual Self Destruct. Remote Listen has the phone call a handset of your choice, so you can listen to the phone. There could be several ways to use this feature. Audio Ping works too. Now the Lock Device locks the phone, but this is where you would want it to be password protected. Unlike the ROblock, the lock can be unlocked with the star and green button if you don’t have it password protected. There’s no place for a unlocking the phone on the Dashboard manually. From the Dashboard you are able to view: Dashboard, Account, Contacts, To Do, Memos, Call Logs, Events and Mail. I love the idea of wiping your data, especially from your Micro SD card. It’s good to know, although I love my family, my movies (I’d hate to see my Keanu Movies get wiped), and my music, I don’t have to worry about someone having the pictures of my daughters and family or their phone numbers and addresses as well. It gives me less to worry about.
So in my opinion, is there a need for this program? Of course, now at days you can never have too much protection. I mean, don’t ever say it won’t happen to you. It can happen to the best of us. And your BlackBerry is your sidekick, take care of it and your information.
For Customer Service, SmrtGuard is very quick to answer emails and questions, I never waited long for a response. I felt assured that any issues would be addressed quickly.
The map I wasn’t too thrilled about but they did say it wasn’t perfect. I also know that my carrier locks the GPS on my phone to third parties, so it wasn’t too surprising for me that it didn’t get a precise location. The manual lock from the PC would be a neat touch, but make sure through your Options>Security Options>General Options that you enable password protection and you will have no worries.
Pros: The pros are the self-destruct, the Personal Guardian, the audio ping, the listening in option, and choosing what to back up. It’s easy and allows you to track your phone, let others track you, and allow yourself to track others. Nice touch.
Cons: The map with non GPS enabled phones, having to have a password secured phone, and that was it.
If you are interested in the SmrtGuard v1.51, you’re in luck. We have it in the BlackBerry Sync Store and it’s available in three different ways: Monthly for $3.99; Bi-Annual for $22.99; and Annual for $44.99.
Grab a copy of SmrtGuard V1.51 today from the BlackBerry Sync Store >
Compatible BlackBerry handsets: 7130c, 7130e, 7130g, 7130v, 8100 (Pearl), 8110 (Pearl), 8120 (Pearl), 8130 (Pearl), 8220 (Pearl Flip), 8300 (Curve), 8310 (Curve), 8320 (Curve), 8330 (Curve), 8350i (Curve), 8700c, 8700f, 8700g, 8700r, 8700v, 8703e, 8705g, 8707g, 8707h, 8707v, 8800, 8820, 8830, 8900 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), Curve, Pearl, Storm
Compatible OS: 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7
Rating: 
SmrtGuard-Your Smart Phone Guardian is one of the great apps that was featured at WES, and it’s all about the security. We featured it in an article “What To Do If You Lose Your Blackberry“. Kevin Bacon lost his a few days later, he really should have read our article, but hind site is always 20/20. The moral of the story: Don’t let this happen to you!
So what is SmrtGuard and what does it mean to you? Well, SmrtGuard is a security software program that is designed to protect your phone and your information. You’re able to track your BlackBerry with no GPS required. You are able to fully wipe sensitive data on the BlackBerry from where you are. You can back up all your sensitive data which includes: PIMs; call logs; emails and more. You can back up and restore your personal data (you might want to do that every so often, so when you do lose your BlackBerry, and have to wipe it, that you have those things you want to save on hand). The data can be accessed through the SmrtGuard web portal. You can use audio ping to locate your phone, even if it’s on mute.
The Personal Guardian will allow you to send a distress SMS/Email/Call with a single button push. The SimCard Guardian alerts users that an unregistered Sim card being used in the phone. You can use it to remotely lock the phone or use it to remotely listen to the phone’s surroundings. For further information on the product, you can read more on their SmrtGuard website.
There are currently three types of pricing. Monthly for $3.99, Bi-Annual for $22.99, and annual for $44.99. It’s a small price to invest in your personal information and your BlackBerry. Kevin Bacon and Paris Hilton can testify to that statement. Don’t wait till it happens to you.
Grab your copy of choice of SmrtGuard from the BlackBerry Sync Store today >
Supported models for this app are: BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve 8900, BlackBerry Curve (83xx Series), BlackBerry Pearl (81xx Series), BlackBerry Flip Pearl, BlackBerry 88xx Series
Supported OS are: 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7
We all find ourselves losing things from time to time. But just like losing your wallet or purse, losing your BlackBerry is just as devastating. The thought of being without your mobile texts, emails, the messengers, and even mobile Twitter, is so distressing, leaving just a feeling of being lost and alone, total isolation from the world, we all know that feeling since our BlackBerry is our friend and our secretary. Hopefully you had your BlackBerry synced and backed up by way of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. I am also hoping you have it secured by a password. In the event that your BlackBerry is stolen and they try to open the phone, the BlackBerry will give them three tries to the password and if they don’t guess it, the BlackBerry is automatically wiped of any information. But in the event that you are tragically separated from your beloved BlackBerry, these are the steps you can take. The best medicine is prevention and preparation so I have two apps to share besides the obvious.
There are a few things you can do besides backing up your information and password protecting it. You can also install a few programs that will assist you in finding it. The first one I’m going to highlight is an application for $6.95 by the name of Berry Locator. If you have Verizon, this one is not an option because Verizon currently blocks third party GPS access on all BlackBerry devices with the exception of the Storm and will not pull up a map. With this application you send an email to your BlackBerry with a custom phrase in the subject line and your BlackBerry will sound off like crazy even if it is in silent mode. If you’re unable to find it, the app displays the email message on the screen so you can send a message and contact information to whoever finds the phone. If you would like to try this app: Berry Locator
Supported models for this app are: 7130c, 7130e, 7130g, 7130v, 8100 (Pearl), 8110 (Pearl), 8120 (Pearl), 8130 (Pearl), 8220 (Pearl Flip), 8300 (Curve), 8310 (Curve), 8320 (Curve), 8330 (Curve), 8350i (Curve), 8700c, 8700f, 8700g, 8700r, 8700v, 8703e, 8705g, 8707g, 8707h, 8707v, 8800, 8820, 8830, 8900 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), Curve, Pearl, Storm
And compatible with OS 4.2 and above.
First there was RoboCop and now now there’s ROblock, v2.0, at the price of $9.95. ROblock is a program by Vapssky. This program can point the location of your lost or stolen device on Google Maps using the WHERE command. If you do not have GPS integration or a GPS signal available, then it will use the cellular tower location information to show the approximate location of your device. You have three ways available to communicate with your phone: sms; email; and the web interface. There is sms/email notification in the event that your phone has a sims card and it is replaced. You have the power to recover the Address book contacts. You have the ability to remotely wipe the entire content of your phone and your micro sd card, which is irreversible so make sure you have it backed up. There is a remote lock and alarm as well, in which you can lock the phone, locking the keypad and making it inoperable. This is the most intriguing part to me which I love: a high pitch alarm you can activate which will sound until the phone is unlocked. You can unlock it as you locked it and the alarm is optional. You can make your lost or stolen phone dial any number you want, so that you can listen in on it’s location and where abouts. You can send custom text messages with return information by command that will come up on the display so the finder can return the device. Here’s another advantage, this program can wipe the entire device without BIS/BES service. It uses sms, email, or GPRS for communication so you can wipe or recover the device even where service is unavailable, or the SIMs card has been replaced. If you’re interested in this app, you can download it at ROblock.
This program is compatible with OS 4.2 and higher.
The other option was introduced at WES. The application is called SmrtGuard- Your Smartphone Guardian. This program will be available upon launch of May 25, 2009. You are able to remote track your smartphone with no GPS required. It allows you to remotely wipe your sensitive data, fully wipe your phone from where you are. You can also back up your sensitive data which includes PIMs, call logs, emails, and more, allowing you to back up and restore personal data. The data can be accessed through the SmrtGuard web portal. You can also audio ping to locate your phone as well, just in case you have it on mute. Guardian features included are: Personal Guardian that allows you to send a distress SMS/Email/Call with a single button push; and the SimCard Guardian that gives you the ability to inform users of unregistered Sim cards being used in the smartphone. You can use it to remotely listen in on the smartphone’s surroundings and the ability to remotely lock the phone. You can also use it to track a loved one. This application allows you by using the dashboard to decide if the phone is lost or stolen, auto ping to find, and detonate the phone to wipe out everything. The program will have three types of pricing available: Monthly for $3.99; Bi-Annual for $22.99; and yearly for $44.99. The program will be available from their online site when it lauches. The program will be available for purchase here: SmrtGuard
Supported models for this app are: BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve 8900, BlackBerry Curve (83xx Series), BlackBerry Pearl (81xx Series), BlackBerry Flip Pearl, BlackBerry 88xx Series Supported OS are: BlackBerry OS 4.2.x , BlackBerry OS 4.3.0, BlackBerry OS 4.5.x, BlackBerry OS 4.6.x, BlackBerry OS 4.7.x
In the event the phone is pretty much lost and you don’t want to incur possible phone charges, you do have the option to call and suspend the line. If the line is suspended, they will not be able to use the phone to make phone calls, let alone out of country phone calls. Reporting it to the police is important if the phone has been stolen is important as well. In the US you do have the option to have insurance and make an insurance claim. For a deductible you can have your phone replaced.
Do you have a lost or stolen phone story you’d like to share? We’d like you to leave your comments and let us know.
For the past few days I’ve been testing a new application called SmrtGuard. This application allows you to backup and restore pretty much all of your device’s information including phonebook, call logs, emails, memo pad, etc. Not only that but SmrtGuard also allows you to track your BlackBerry in case you loose it and even perform a remote wipe to erase your BlackBerry of all data. SmrtGuard also performs daily or weekly backups so you don’t have to do it manually. This software basically provides similar functions to a BES server in terms of backup and security.
SmrtGuard is currently available in public beta as a free download. The final service will end up costing we just aren’t too sure how much yet. To test out SmrtGuard head over to smrtguard.com and register.
