What can I do to make my BlackBerry more secure?

Your BlackBerry device allows access to your email account, so you must take steps to secure it against misuse by others. The following instructions will help you do so.

• Set the password and timeout option:
  
  
  1. Select Options and then Security.
  2. Next to "Password", highlight the word Disable and click the trackwheel.
  3. Select Change Option and then Enable.
  4. Enter your password, and press the Enter key.

     Note: The password must be 4 to 14 characters in length, and cannot consist of identical characters or a natural sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4).

  5. Enter your password again to verify it.
  6. Next to "Security Timeout", highlight the displayed time and click the trackwheel.
  7. Select Change Option, and choose a reasonable time for the handheld to time out and lock. UITS recommends 15 minutes or less.
  8. To exit the "Security" screen, press the Escape key. You will be prompted to save. Select Yes.
  
  
• Whenever you put down your BlackBerry, lock it by selecting Lock from the main menu.
  
  
• Store a copy of the following information in the event you lose your device:
  
  
  • PIN
  • Model number
  • Reseller
  • Network provider
  • Date of purchase
  
  
• Be wary of sending PIN to PIN messages. When using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Redirector, all email messages are triple DES encrypted when traveling between your BlackBerry and your Exchange mailbox, ensuring that they are indecipherable by anyone who might intercept them. However, PIN to PIN messages are not encrypted and transmit in plain text, allowing anyone who intercepts a message to read it. While this is a remote possibility, you should not send sensitive information in a PIN to PIN message.
  
  
• Finally, make sure your desktop computer and network are secure against unauthorized access. For more, see Best practices for computer security.

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