In response to our post on security Joe asked “what if someone hard resets your device. can they get your stuff?”

In short the answer is No.

I tested this by hard resetting my Shadow, which deletes all your data from the device (not the storage card) and wipes clean any settings. It’s like starting over from scratch, so Do Not Attempt this unless you absolutely have to. If you have to: with the device off, hold down the right and left soft keys and then press and hold the power button. Once a black screen shows asking you a question, release the power button and then the soft keys. This is your last chance, if you want to reset the device COMPLETELY press the Send key. Otherwise press the End key.

Note: Even if you hard reset your device and encryption is on. You will not be able to access your files. So be sure to back up the data on your storage card before doing so.

 encryptafterrest1.jpg   encryptafterreset2.jpg   encryptafterreset3.jpg

 At any rate. After resetting my device I went to the storage card and looked at the files. The folder structure was still there but each filename was appended by some code. I even transferred these files to my desktop and changed the file name, removing the appended extension. Did it work? No. The files were encrypted.

To Summarize: If anyone gets their hands on your phone, and you have the encryption on as well as a PIN code, they will not be able to access your data. The only people that will be able to will be encryption experts (which are not your common criminal).




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