GridLock FAQ

Information

Problems

Which versions of PalmOS is GridLock compatible with?

Starting with v1.30 of GridLock, it is now compatible with the complete range of Palm devices. Ranging from OS3 upto OS5.

Does GridLock still activate after a Soft-Reset?

Yes. GridLock will continue to activate after both types of Soft-Reset and will prevent HotSyncs to the device while it is locked. The only way to get access to your machine with GridLock enabled is by doing a Hard-Reset. Please see below for more details.

What's the difference between the Freeware and GridLock Pro versions?

Due the increasing amount of support we are giving to GridLock users (its proven to be very popular), we have decided to have two versions. A Freeware version and a Pro version.

GridLock Pro includes extra features such as better security (800 billion instead of 33 million combinations), the ability to show Owner Information, and the Max. Fails feature that can be used to make your Palm even safer. We will also be adding new features to GridLock Pro at a later time so if you have any suggestions on what you would like to see, please get in touch.

The Freeware version is fully functional (apart from missing GridLock Pro features) and does not time-out or produce nag-screens. We recommend downloading this first to try it.

Why doesn`t GridLock contain a feature to hide/show private records.

The current versions of PalmOS do not encrypt private records, they merely set a bit to say whether they are visible or not. This means that anyone with access to a HotSync cable can view your private records regardless of whether they are hidden or not. However, if you have locked your Palm with GridLock there is no way to use HotSync or access any data inside the Palm without taking the machine apart and directly accessing the RAM chips, therefore any data inside your Palm is extremely safe without the need for a private records feature.

I heard there was a way of accessing data on the Palm even while it was locked, what does GridLock do about it?

PalmOSs prior to 4.0 contain the debugging shortcuts .1 and .2. These shortcuts enable the serial port debugging console even while the machine is in a locked state. GridLock checks for these shortcuts and will ask if you would like to have them permanently removed from the system. Without these shortcuts it is not possible to retrieve any data from the Palm while it is locked. In order to make your Palm as safe as possible please select Yes when GridLock displays this message. (Please note: GridLock will sometimes display this dialog more than once, this is an extra security measure and is quite normal.)

Exactly how safe is my Palm if I have GridLock installed?

With GridLock installed there are 4 ways to gain entry to your data on the Palm:

  • By brute forcing the Passgrid.
  • By having your Passgrid compromised.
  • By having a Hack already installed that displays private information.
  • By removing the cover and reading the RAM chips directly.

The first method depends on how safe your Passgrid is. Although its unfeasible to try and brute force every single combination, please try and make sure that your Passgrid cannot be easily guessed. As a simple test, have a friend try and break into your Palm.

The second and third methods simply require common sense. Never install any Hacks that allow you to access private data while the machine is locked. And never give your Passgrid to someone you don`t fully trust, or allow anyone to look over your shoulder while entering the Passgrid.

The fourth method is the only real way to get information out of your Palm regardless of whether you have GridLock (or any other application) installed or not. Although this method requires a lot of expertise and care, it is still possible to read the contents of any RAM/ROM chip by attaching extra circuitry to the motherboard inside the machine. The only way to prevent private data from being accessed in this case is by encrypting the data on the Palm itself. If you are concerned about this we recommend the excellent freeware CryptoPad, it encrypts using the well known and highly scrutinized Blowfish algorithm and supports keys of up to 448 bits.

How many combinations are there in GridLock?

GridLock uses a grid of 5 by 5 squares, each square can be On or Off, giving a maximum of 2^25 or 33 million combinations.

GridLock Pro uses a 5 by 5 grid of "tri state" squares. This means that there are 3^25 or roughly 800 billion combinations.

Not all of those patterns make good Passgrids, some are too simple, some are too complex, but there are still a vast amount of unique, easy to remember Passgrids.

How do I choose a safe Passgrid?

Deciding on a safe Passgrid is very much like choosing a safe text password. You don`t want a password that is too short or easy to guess, and you don`t want one that takes a long time to enter or is too complex to remember.

Try and choose a grid that has a reasonable amount of squares in a fairly complicated pattern. For instance, an L shape with 1 or 2 extra squares in the middle, or 2 crossing lines at different angles.

Choose a Passgrid that represents the amount of security you need. If you are not too worried about someone gaining access to your Palm but just need to stop a child from playing with it, choose something simple, quick and easy to remember. If however your Palm contains very sensitive information, such as Credit Card numbers, bank details etc.. choose a Passgrid that takes at least a couple of strokes of the pen to enter. If possible, add a few random squares to the pattern to help prevent someone guessing it by trial and error.

Lastly, get some friends to try and break into the Palm. Look at what they are entering to get some idea of what kind of patterns people try when they don`t know what they`re looking for.

(If your friend does manage to guess a Passgrid that you think is reasonably unique, we`d like to hear from you. The chances are that rather than being extremely lucky or psychic, they merely entered a grid that `felt` correct. If they guessed the correct grid, the chances are someone else will too. We are planning at some stage on setting up a database of these `unsafe` Passgrids that people should try and avoid.)

Will my alarms still work with GridLock enabled?

Yes. Your alarms should behave as normal and display ontop of the GridLock entry screen. You will not be able to exit to another Application until you have entered the correct Passgrid however.

Which Hacks are compatible with GridLock?

GridLock has been tested with a number of Hacks and Launchers, all problems found so far have be addressed. You may find problems with other Hacks/Applications that do a similar thing to GridLock, i.e.. display a security screen on power up. But this can usually be fixed by disabling the power on screen on the application that causes the problem. GridLock will work fine with most Launchers and Popup window Hacks, but please make sure that you do not use a Hack that can be used to display private information while the Palm is locked.

If you find any other Hacks/Applications that is causing problems with GridLock, please let us know.

How do I get GridLock to `self-destruct` if someone tries to break into it?

GridLock Pro has a feature that can be used to permanently lock the device after a certain amount of failed attempts to access it. We use this method instead of a 'self-destruct' or 'bomb' that wipes the contents, please read this for reasons why.

Why is there no `bomb` like feature that wipes the machine after a number of failed attempts?

We believe that permanently locking the machine is a better solution than wiping the contents of it. There are a number of reasons why:

1. Permanently locking the machine still allows the Owner Information to be displayed so that the machine can be returned if discarded and found again.

2. If someone steals your machine and doesn`t know how to do a HardReset, the machine will be rendered useless. Whereas wiping the contents will in most cases cause a HardReset, allowing the thief to still use it.

3. We are confident enough in GridLock to protect your machine at all times apart from when someone physically opens it and reads signals from the RAM chips. If someone is savvy enough to do this they are highly likely to know that they have little chance of guessing the Passgrid. They would simply open it before the machine is wiped.

4. Wiping the entire contents of RAM can take time to complete, so its possible to interrupt this process with a SoftReset. If this happened its also possible that certain parts of the OS that handle security could be corrupted, rendering the machine unlocked and usable.

I have installed GridLock but I can still bring up certain `Hacks` on the main entry screen.

GridLock works very simply; it does not allow itself to exit until you have entered a valid Passgrid. It does not prevent other `Hacks` from starting, or keys from being processed, or hide any data, it merely prevents PalmOS from switching to another application and makes sure that it is the first application to start when you power on the machine. This means that `Hacks` that display popup windows will still display. For instance, TealLaunch will still activate even while GridLock has locked the machine.

However, you will not be able to switch to another application while GridLock is active. So even if you have a `Hack` that allows you to launch another application, it will not start until GridLock has allowed it to. PalmOS is single tasking operating system, therefore it is not possible to start another application while one is already running.

I have forgotten my Passgrid, GridLock doesn`t recognise my Passgrid, I can`t get past GridLock, can you help?

There are no `backdoors` in GridLock. If you cannot get past GridLock you will have to do a Page Up Soft Reset and use your System Password to gain access to your machine.

If you are experiencing problems with GridLock such as it not appearing, or not accepting your Passgrid, it is most likely that the Palm has become unstable somehow. GridLock tries to `err` on the side of security, this means that if something goes wrong it will still try and keep your Palm locked even if it can`t execute correctly.

You may however be able to fix the problem by performing one of these steps.

I am having problems with GridLock causing my Handspring Visor / Palm III to crash.

We have had a number of reports of GridLock causing HandSpring Visors and Palm IIIs to behave abnormally, including crashes and Hard Resets. This is a stack related problem that we are currently trying to find a work around for. These 2 machines seem to have a smaller stack area than other PalmOS machines. If you would like to be notified when we have a new version, please send us an email.

GridLock does not activate when I soft-reset while the machine is turned ON.

GridLock secures your Palm device as soon as the machine is turned OFF (unless you have lock-delay enabled.) This means that soft-resetting while the machine is ON will not cause GridLock to activate. It will activate the next time the machine is turned OFF however.


My question isn`t here or I was unable to find a solution to my problem.

If you are still having problems with GridLock, you may like to try resetting the GridLock settings to their default values. To do this, select Reset Settings from the main menu (version 1.24 and above.)

If that doesn`t solve the problem, then please try these steps:

1. If you can unlock your Palm, delete GridLock and reinstall it.
- or -
2. Place a pin in the small hole at the back of the machine. This wall cause a Soft Reset. It will not erase any data but it will clear temporary memory and restart all applications.
- or -
3. Do the same as 2. but while inserting the pin, keep the Cursor UP key pressed down. This will Soft Reset the machine and prevent any applications from restarting. The built-in System Password screen should appear.
- or -
4. Last resort, WARNING: THIS WILL ERASE ALL DATA. Place a pin in the hole and keep the Cursor Down key pressed. After doing this, perform a HotSync to reinstall your applications and data.

 

If your question was not answered in this FAQ, please feel free to contact us at support@pdabusiness.com providing details of the problem along with your OS version, Hardware type and a list of any other Hacks and programs installed. We will try our best to respond as quickly as possible, but please note that due to the volume of emails we receive regarding GridLock, we give priority to GridLock Pro users.

 
   
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