Exchange Mobile FAQ: New Windows Mobile 5.0 Security and Features
To enhance the security of your data and phone service on a Windows Mobile 5.0 device, the ITS Exchange Service is activating new security and other features made available by Microsoft in its Messaging Security and Feature Pack (MSFP). We have made these powerful features mandatory because we believe they are very important to your wireless security.
This document details who is affected, what the features are, and how to best use them.
NOTE: This information is specific to the ITS Exchange Service and the CAEN and Business School Exchange services. Other campus units — including the Institute for Social Research (ISR) and Business and Finance — maintain their own Exchange servers.
Does This Affect You?
This information is important to you if:
NOTE: You can only obtain Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system (OS) updates from your service provider, such as Verizon or Sprint. Check with your provider about your update options.
What Are the MSFP Features?
If you meet the above criteria, the following features will become active at midnight on Tuesday, August 22, 2007. To sync your device, you must perform the steps in How Do I Activate These Features?
- Your phone and data are password protected. After 15 minutes of inactivity, your device reverts to its password-protected state. Please also read the warning about passwords.
- You have access to the University-wide Global Access List (GAL). This is the same contact list you use in Outlook.
- You can elminate several previously required steps when syncing your e-mail with the direct push e-mail feature.
- Should you lose your device, the ITS Exchange Service can remotely reset it which removes all data and applications.
How Do I Activate These Features?
At midnight on Tuesday, August 22, 2007, these features will become mandatory for ITS Exchange Service users. The first time you attempt to sync your device on or after that date, you will be provided the option to accept them. If you choose not to, your Windows Mobile 5.0 device will not be able to access the ITS, CAEN, and Business School Exchange services.
- In the ActiveSync dialog box, click OK.
- In the Settings: Password dialog box:
- at the Update Required dialog box, click OK.
- in the Password field, enter a 4-digit numeric password and re-enter it in the Confirm field.
CAUTION! We highly recommend that you use no more than 4 characters. Using more makes entering your password a very tedious process when it's required.
- click the Hint tab and enter a hint to help you remember your password. Of course, don't use your password because the hint is viewable by anyone having access to your device.
- Click the OK button.
WARNING! Don't forget your password! Unlike most other password-protected services:
- there is no way to retrieve or reset your password. Make sure it is one that will be easy for you to remember and enter a good hint to help you in case you do forget.
- whenever you are required to enter your password, you have only 8 consecutive attempts. After an 8th incorrect entry, your device will automatically reset itself to factory settings which wipes out all your data and any applications you have installed. There is no way to stop this from happening short of entering the correct password.
- if you forget your password, you must reset your device to factory settings in order to be able to make it usable.
If you enter your password incorrectly, you will be prompted with a warning and seven more opportunities to enter it correctly. After 4 consecutive incorrect entries, you will receive a prompt asking you to enter a series of characters to verify that you are trying to log in. This entry protects against unexpected keypad use such as a child playing with your device or keeping it where the keypad can be activated (a pocket or purse). If you enter the series correctly, you'll have 4 more tries before your device resets itself to factory settings, thereby wiping out all your data and applications unless they are stored on a memory card.
NOTE: Your Exchange data is safe because it's stored on the server. You only need to resynch your device with the server.
What Can I Do with the MSFP Features?
PASSWORD
GLOBAL ACCESS LIST (GAL)
Find a Person
- Select Start, then Contacts.
- Select Menu, then Find Online.
- Begin entering a name then select Find.
HINT: Entering the last name first usually produces the best results.
- Select View for additional information.
Address an E-mail
- Create a new message and click in the To field.
- Select Menu, then Find Online.
- Begin entering a name then select Find.
HINT: Last names followed by first initial produce the best results.
- Select View for additional information.
DIRECT PUSH E-MAIL
This feature allows you to configure Active Sync: Schedule to sync as items arrive, eliminating several steps that were previously required.
RESET A LOST OR STOLEN DEVICE
You can protect your data and phone service by having the ITS Exchange administrators remotely reset your device to factory settings. The device will behave as if it just came out of the box.
Send the user's uniqname to exchange.support@umich.edu. The administrators will, of course, verify authenticity prior to performing the remote reset.
Where Can I Get Help?
ITS
only supports:
For all other issues — such as wireless connectivity or problems with your mobile device — please contact your service provider, such as Verizon or Sprint.
Determining Your Windows Mobile 5.0 Operating System (OS) Version
- In the Start menu, select Settings.
- Select the System tab.
- Select About. If the screen shows OS 5.1.195 or later, the MSFP features are available.
NOTE: If your OS version is earlier than OS 5.1.195, you cannot take advantage of the MSFP features. Please contact your service provider, such as Verizon or Sprint.
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