Built-in and third-party security tools can help protect your PDA

Password, Please
Palm OS-based devices and Pocket PCs both come with a password protection option. Turning it on not only protects your data, but it might discourage would-be thieves from making off with your organizer. Of course, a knowledgeable thief could do a hard reset and start over again.

The Palm security application--found on the main menu of a Palm or Handspring Visor--lets you mark records such as addresses, calendar entries, or memos as private and then hides them. You can also assign a password to your device that unlocks and shows hidden records. Another password command lets you lock your device so that someone must enter the password to get to any application or data.

Pocket PCs offer a similar power-on password that locks the device until you enter your chosen password. Turning this on requires some navigation. Go to the Settings command, then the Personal tab, and select Password. Enter a password and check 'require password when device is turned on.'

Download and Secure
Downloadable third-party applications can extend and enhance the password protection built into your Palm-based device. Most cost between free and $20 and are available from PDA portals such as Handango and PalmGear HQ. One or both of those sites include this selection of utilities:

* A new security tool for the Palm platform, PDABomb, locks your PDA more completely than built-in tools. Developed by Asynchrony and available at an introductory price of $19.95, PDABomb enhances password protection by disabling all forms of data transfer--even the infrared and HotSync ports--until the correct password is supplied.

* A $9.95 alternative, OnlyMe, locks a Palm-based device whenever it's turned off. Similar to the built-in password feature, OnlyMe requires you to enter a password to access any of your PDA data. But even with password protection on, OnlyMe returns you exactly to your previous state, so a quick power off won't require you to drill back into the application or file that you were working on.

* For more customized security, TealLock replaces the Palm security application with one that offers personal options. The $16.95 TealLock includes shortcut-stroke activation; custom locking for screen, text, and images; and optional automatic locking. You can also set it to hide private records immediately when you turn off the device, or after a specified period of time.

* And if you only trust your own hand, try JotLoc, a handwriting recognition password protection tool available for $11.95.