SplashID 4.0 Treo Software Review

I recently suffered the unfortunate experience of someone accessing my Amex credit card account and fraudulently going on a $20,000 shopping spree with it – undoubtedly buying a ton of Treo accessories … 

Although I am insured for such eventualities the whole episode was nonetheless not a matter that I took lightly and I naturally set out to reassess the safety and security measures that I have in place – particularly when it comes to passwords and PIN numbers used to access my financial accounts.

This event happened to coincide with the release of the new SplashID v4.0 and I therefore decided that the time had come to start making the most of this bestselling password security solution with my Treo 680 (also available for Windows Mobile).

Aside from the fact that SplashID uses 256-bit Blowfish encryption to keep your data safe and secure, one of the features that I like most is the fact that the package includes both an application for your Treo as well as a bundled companion application called SplashID Desktop (available for Windows and Mac) which allows you to more quickly and easily view and edit information at your computer and then seamlessly synchronise it with your smartphone.

SplashID Desktop

The Desktop application’s main view (above) is very simple and straightforward to use – you should not have any issues getting started adding data within 5 or 10 minutes after familiarizing yourself with the various settings.  Here you get to see all of your data with its individual Fields and also a Detail View to the right for any selected entry.

Twenty preset “Types” of secure data – from Bank Accounts, Credit Cards to Frequent Flyer and Web Logins – make it extremely easy to start adding information.  For example, the Types > Credit Card (screenshot above) already offers pre-customized fields for your Card#, Exp. Date, Name, PIN and Bank (there are a total of 9 customizable fields available plus also a Notes section).  You can keep the existing ones or create your own by selecting the “All Types” pull-down menu in the main view and choosing “Edit Types”.

Besides the standard List View, the addition of a new Panel View and Tree View (detail above) are an excellent, extremely useful and welcome improvement in this latest version.  There are still a few – albeit minor – usability issues though.  The “New Item” button as well as seven other equally important ones are strangely located at the bottom instead of the top of the screen; there is no in-line editing which means that any changes must be made with the “Detail View” (below) by double-clicking the entry and finally that although the Password Generator is great it automatically inserts data in Field 1 instead of letting me choose where I want it and it also does not remember my password preferences. 

Some notable new features in this latest version of SplashID Desktop include: 

• Enhanced security - auto lock-out after 10 failed attempts, password strength meter, and password hint option
• Web Auto-Fill - one click to open a website on the desktop and login automatically. Prevents keyloggers from tracking your username and password.
• Synchronize multiple SplashID databases (with other version 4 database files only)
• Change the database and auto-backup file locations
• Toolbars give you button features where they are needed the most
• Updated icon set with enhanced high resolution graphics
• Fully Vista compatible
• Email securely encrypted SplashID files to other users

Other features carried over from previous versions include: Adding additional standalone desktop users; Unlimited number of customizable record types and categories; Share records securely with other SplashID users; Custom icon support; Customizable field labels; Backup and restore feature; Set URL field in your records to deliver you to the correct address every time to defeat phishing attempts.

SplashID Smartphone

Naturally, as SplashID contains all your passwords it also requires one to get into the application.  You can easily access it by using a highly secure alphanumeric password (ideally between 6 and 8 characters long such as “kt52sci6”) by using your keyboard for letter entry and screen (above left) for number entry.

One of the main new features of SplashID on your smartphone is that it offers an enhanced Lookup that instantly displays relevant results as you type – I have however not yet found a Global Lookup function that will search for results across all entries and not just the Type selected.  Additionally, when Lookup is used the Center 5Way button should have been able to select the first search result.

Viewing and editing your existing entries (screenshot above) as well as adding new ones is quick and simple since the smartphone version offers exactly the same fields and entry options as the desktop version.  Additionally, Font, Row and Header Color as well as Columns customization options further help you to make the most of SplashID on your Treo.

Conclusion
Overall, although this latest v4.0 of SplashID still suffers from a few minor usabilty shortcomings it offers an excellent, very secure solution to the increasingly difficult task of maintaining a seemingly endless number of passwords, PIN’s and other critical and sensitive information readily available while on the go.  The added benefit is that the Desktop component makes it much easier to enter data while also ensuring that you always have an equally secure copy on your hard drive.

Treonauts always make a splash…