Self-Destruct

The Self-destruct page lets you configure self-destruct settings for Palm* OS* or Windows* CE devices so that data is not accessible from handheld devices that are lost or stolen. When the self-destruct feature is activated, the data on the device is made unusable and the device must be manually reset, which restores the device to its out-of-the-box state.

To use the self-destruct options for Windows CE devices, you must select either "Additional Password Settings" or "Password matches a Novell eDirectory User Password" in the Security page. To use the self-destruct options for Palm OS devices, you must check the Require a Password to Be Set on the Handheld check box on the Security page.

Important: Use caution when you use the self-destruct feature. Be sure to allow an adequate number of password attempts and an adequate number of days since the last synchronization to prevent data loss to users who incorrectly enter the password or do not synchronize the device during a short vacation.

For Palm devices using Palm HotSync*, if the user synchronizes the device using the same desktop or laptop machine as usual, the data can be restored by HotSync. For Windows CE devices, Microsoft* ActiveSync* does not automatically back up data. If the user has manually backed up the data, he or she can then manually restore the data to the device.

The WinCE Security policy will not function on the Denso devices (BHT-200) and the Jornada Pocket PCs running Microsoft* Windows for Pocket PC 2000 software. However, the Jornada Pocket PCs running Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 software can use the WinCE Security policy.

Bad Password Attempts
Enable the Enforce Self-destruct check box and specify the number of bad password attempts to allow before activating the self-destruct feature.

Time Since Last Connection
Enable the Enforce Self-destruct check box and specify the number of days after the last connection before activating the self-destruct feature. The Time Since Last Connection option refers to the last time the handheld device connected to the Access Point.

Each day is made up of 24 hours. If you connect (synchronize) the device on Monday at 2 p.m. and specify three days after the last connection before activating the self-destruct feature, the self-destruct feature will activate Thursday at 2 p.m. (72 hours after the last connection/synchronization) unless the device is connected/synchronized during that period.

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