In order to activate DataGator on your Palm device, the first thing you'll have to do after synchronizing its files is to go into HackMaster and activate it by tapping the checkbox next to JAWZ DataGator. This is pictured in Figure B.

FIGURE B

In HackMaster, tap the checkbox next to JAWZ DataGator.

Configuring DataGator
Most of DataGator's configuration is done through the regular Palm OS Security application. You'll notice the added "JAWZ Security Manager" button toward the bottom of the Security screen, as shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C

Tap the JAWZ Security Manager button to configure DataGator on your Palm device.

You might encounter a button labeled JAWZGator in the Unfiled category of your launcher screen. This button doesn't do anything, and I'm not sure why it's there. It's pictured in Figure D.

FIGURE D

You may notice the JAWZGator button in your Unfiled category; just ignore it.

The JAWZ Security Manager button will take you to a number of options. Here is where you can defeat most of the security that DataGator provides. It would be beneficial if "Are you sure?" messages would pop up if any one of the three selected check boxes in Figure E were unchecked.

FIGURE E

Configure DataGator in the JAWZ Security Manager.

Issues
The biggest potential problem with DataGator is the same problem you'll find with any security application, whether it's on your Palm device, your PC, or someplace else. If it isn't easy to use, users will find ways around it. How many of us see people with Post-it notes on their PC screens, listing their passwords? How many of us know our colleagues' passwords? They usually use their spouse's name, their kid's name, their dog's name, or something else that's easily guessed. How many of us have worked in places where card access was required, in theory, but the door was routinely blocked open? Many IT professionals can tell you all kinds of horror stories about well-intentioned security procedures defeated by people who just wanted to get their work done.

DataGator is somewhat intrusive, and there are a number of idiosyncrasies. For example, DataGator prefers all applications to be shut down before you turn off your Palm device. For me, this required pressing my Palm V's off button twice, since it considers my third-party launcher an application that needs to be closed. This is one of those features I could live without.

DataGator also displays your password in clear text as you use Graffiti to enter it. This has been a criticism of the Palm OS's built-in Security, so that's nothing new. It would be nice to have an option to mask the password as it's entered.

What about synchronized or beamed data? The readme file shipped with DataGator says, "By default, JAWZ DataGator will decrypt records before they are HotSynced or beamed to another device. This avoids interference with the operations of the PC software or the other Palm device." True, but that also means DataGator leaves the data wide open on the PC side, which has also been a criticism of Palm Desktop.