[thinkinfinity]

This is a simple question and I would be very happy to get clear and detailed explanations from experienced users, techy savy people or even IT Security specialists.

How to lock down, tighten and harden Blackberry Classic BBOS 10 phone?
I would like my phone to be as private and secure as possible, as well as safe from viruses, rootkits and all other exploits that affect (other) phone OS.

I have set up Parental Control on the phone, disabled Amazon, BBM, the browser and all unecessary apps on the device.
Really all the phone can do now is call, text, email and BB World (for native BB app updates) and I don't use FB, Twitter, Linkedin, etc...
I have also installed Eset Mobile Security for Android, as I have my Android dictionaries and clocks, and it works.
Eset won't scan BB10 OS but Android apps though.

Either on the pc or the phone, I have always considered the browser to be a very vulnerable part of the OS along with many other things.

In today's world, I don't believe any pc or phone OS is 100% secure and virus free, including Blackberry.
However there are steps that can be taken to minimize the damage, in case of an attack, or at least to try to prevent/stop it.

I might post this question on Android Central, Apple iPhone Central, Windows Phone Central as I believe answers could help educate users on better protecting and securing their personal information and their device.

Thanks for helping newbies learn the good habits.

[Carl Estes]

You have pretty much, locked it down, except for actually loading .apk files. (Android, weak link in security).
If you undo that, and
never, ever, even open an email attachment (save that for you sacrificial pc browser),
encrypt your device and SD card (and do not forget the password(s)), enable BB Protect so you can find/wipe/lockup your device remotely, and do not download stuff that you would not want your Mom to see, then you should be good.

One more thing: Never let it out of your sight/possession.....

Period......

[thinkinfinity]

Thank you.

I usually encrypt all my devices (pc and phones) as well as my sd cards and my pc external flash/hard drives, and I never keep any personal information (contacts, photos, videos, etc...) on them.

BB Protect is enabled, phone is passphrase protected, emails are only checked and deleted (not even read), though I never type emails on a phone, I use PGP for file, email and text encryption, as Parental Control is enabled (installing or removing apps is not possible), purchasing apps is not authorized either. And I only connect the phone to the internet every once a while.

I am currently looking into blocking mms (text messages with photos, music, videos), I have a call/sms/email blocking app but mms is not implemented yet.

I use the same caution on Android phones and hope that Microsoft will add encryption on Windows Phone too.
On Android, a built-in feature in the OS, I can manually and not automatically retrieve mms which adds a layer of security. Android phones can be attacked through mms, so I rather not take the risk either.

I am very strict when it comes to privacy and security and if possible I make no compromise.

I rather sacrifice the easiness of a device for security and privacy, then let go everything out in the wild and lose control over my personal information.

[TinMan555]

Assuming you are an 'average citizen', the only ones that are going to snoop on you are gov agencies. And if that want to get in, they will. It's as simple as that.

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[ssirica]

Why not just use a flip phone with simple text messaging!

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[A_Aviator_A]

Assuming you are an 'average citizen', the only ones that are going to snoop on you are gov agencies. And if that want to get in, they will. It's as simple as that.

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Security is not necessarily about who is "snooping". Its a common misconception that people who are concerned about security are those who think others are spying on them.

Security for me is about my private info, emails, photos being pulled off my phone and into cloud services, where they inevitably are backed up forever. Not that it is a problem or I have things to hide, but most of us do not want our entire lives and every communication we issue to be paper trailed and permanently cataloged. This information belongs to me and I have a right to dictate what I keep and what I don't without having
to worry that my info is being scanned and sold to marketers.

[scubafan]

I'm going to ask the group a question here. Several times I've seen people post that instead of a numeric or alpha password they somehow have a picture to use that they tap a pattern on. Whenever I'll ask person who said they use one HOW to do it myself I don't get a response. Will someone please tell me how to set this up?

Thanks!

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[scubafan]

Anyone?? I was hoping to set up a picture password if I can just find out how to do it...

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[tdyhedge]

Anyone?? I was hoping to set up a picture password if I can just find out how to do it...

Posted via CB10

Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Password, turn on picture password, if your device is capable. I think on Classics it is not. Otherwise it will walk you through the process.


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[slagman5]

Owning an unpopular platform is really all the security you need from hackers and viruses... I'm actually kind of serious, haha.

Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB10

[glwerry]

Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Password, turn on picture password, if your device is capable. I think on Classics it is not. Otherwise it will walk you through the process.


Posted via CB10

Classics will FOR SURE do picture passwords. I really like it although it's slower for me to use than typing in a password. I think it is vastly superior, however.

One advantage with a Classic is that you can use the trackpad to move the numbers around: I found than when using the touch screen I really tended to put my finger on the unlock spot, whereas with the trackpad a person watching you unlock the phone would have NO idea where the unlock spot was.

[tdyhedge]

Classics will FOR SURE do picture passwords. I really like it although it's slower for me to use than typing in a password. I think it is vastly superior, however.

You're absolutely correct. It will. It's the simple password I was thinking of, that it doesn't do (i.e. 4-digit pin #).


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[scubafan]

Thanks! I just enabled a picture! Hopefully I won't have trouble unlocking it when I'm Sleepy!

Quick question : if someone calls me, will I have to unlock before I can answer the call?? Sometimes I'm doing well just noticing the call if I'm asleep! ;-)

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[Fastmarc]

Quick question : if someone calls me, will I have to unlock before I can answer the call?? Sometimes I'm doing well just noticing the call if I'm asleep! ;-)

No, you won't need to unlock to answer the call.

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[tdyhedge]

Thanks! I just enabled a picture! Hopefully I won't have trouble unlocking it when I'm Sleepy!
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Great! And just as an FYI, you don't have to put your finger on your number and then try to see around it to get it to the right spot. Just drag it around from anywhere on the screen.



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[anon(2325196)]

Good post. None of my BlackBerry devices have ever had a virus or malware related problem, ever. They never will either.

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[scubafan]

No, you won't need to unlock to answer the call.

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I already disabled the picture password. Early morning after I enabled it I had 12 calls from one of my kids. I couldn't remember in enough coherence how to put the tiny circles in an exactly correct spot to answer it.

Just my $.02, YMMV ! ;-) sent via my Q10

[ZayDub]

Has anyone else noticed that on the Classic, if the picture password is enabled, you can bypass it by selecting the hang up button and the return arrow to the left of the hang up button? It then reverts back to the standard passphrase, which I don't like...

BBM Channel: C002165D3 Tour 9630 > Bold 9650 > Q10 > Playbook > Classic AND Passport SE!!!

[anon(8719892)]

I wouldnt have bb protect enabled personally as it must use gps enabled phones

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