Captivate & Remote wipe

[thezlog]

Hi all,

I've done a bit of digging and was hoping to get a confirmation on a couple things.

Back Story: We have a user who wants to get an Android phone, namely the Captivate, to replace her Blackberry. (We just got approval FINALLY from the MC to allow users to get iPhones/Androids provided they meet a few requirements).

The requirements are actually pretty relaxed: We need to be able to remote wipe the device via Exchange in the event that it is lost/stolen, and we need to be able to imprint our password policy on said device.


So, on to my questions:

1) In it's stock form, with Android 2.1 (since 2.2 is in the same league as Bigfoot, or a unicorn atm) is it possible to initiate a remote wipe via Exchange?

2) If not possible with the stock ROM, is there a vanilla 2.2 ROM that is stable enough to deploy to a user which allows remote wipe.

3) Is data (E-mails, documents, etc) stored on the captivate encrypted at all?

Thanks for any help you can lend.

 

[james27007]

1) In it's stock form, with Android 2.1 (since 2.2 is in the same league as Bigfoot, or a unicorn atm) is it possible to initiate a remote wipe via Exchange?

Yes; I just verified this with the stock JF6, the updated JH7 (both are android 2.1) and three roms that are running 2.2 (the leaked froyo, Cognition and Pargon). Note that the remote wipe will not wipe the internal or external memory card. So any files on those cards will still be there after a wipe and can be accessed (Big issue with android).

2) If not possible with the stock ROM, is there a vanilla 2.2 ROM that is stable enough to deploy to a user which allows remote wipe.

As far as I know any rom will work (at least everyone I have tried does), as long as the user uses the stock e-mail app and not something like K9, roadsync or touchdown. As a side note, the biggest issue with flashing a custom rom to 2.2 is the warranty is voided and you could brick the phone, plus other risks...

3) Is data (E-mails, documents, etc) stored on the captivate encrypted at all?

As far as I know, the answer is no. The phone usually stores all files and e-mails on the internal memory card. And like I said, if the phone goes through a factory wipe, these files can now be accessed; not good. For example, if the next person does a factory reset (which can be done without fully powering up the phone) it will remove all passwords, the ability to remote wipe and data not on the memory card(s), BUT it will not erase the internal memory card, so they will be able to access the documents stored on the phone, just not the e-mails.

Here is some more info on those issues:
http://androidforums.com/android-applications/61096-sd-card-encryption-app.html

 

[NJR]

Hi all,

I've done a bit of digging and was hoping to get a confirmation on a couple things.

Back Story: We have a user who wants to get an Android phone, namely the Captivate, to replace her Blackberry. (We just got approval FINALLY from the MC to allow users to get iPhones/Androids provided they meet a few requirements).

The requirements are actually pretty relaxed: We need to be able to remote wipe the device via Exchange in the event that it is lost/stolen, and we need to be able to imprint our password policy on said device.


So, on to my questions:

1) In it's stock form, with Android 2.1 (since 2.2 is in the same league as Bigfoot, or a unicorn atm) is it possible to initiate a remote wipe via Exchange?

2) If not possible with the stock ROM, is there a vanilla 2.2 ROM that is stable enough to deploy to a user which allows remote wipe.

3) Is data (E-mails, documents, etc) stored on the captivate encrypted at all?

Thanks for any help you can lend.

Official 2.2 should provide the remote wipe and a little more patience should be enough.

 

[Jack45]

Official 2.2 should provide the remote wipe.

The real test will be whether it provides remote wipe of the external sd card, as many save their backups on that thingy. That little old external card, combined with a backup program, will allow the finder to restore everything.