Cell Phone Security Threat.

I just started working for AT&T as a indirect sales associate (I am the guy hawking cell phones at Best Buy and Frys), and during training I have come to find out that a new phone that is coming out, (I cant think of the name off the top of my head, something like the Nokia 9200 or some nonsense like that) actually has the capability to push through firewalls to access an email account. And I remember making a note just so I could tell all teh people on Antionline. Well, considering that, any yuppie who really wants to look at their business email becomes a threat to security, and the same phone can be used as a wireless modem for a laptop (bluetooth technology and all that), so that could present a rather large problem. Just figured you all should know.

You sure its not just a bog standard WAP enabled phone, that uses a pop3 account like all the WAP phones ive ever seen,

The thing is it would just be like a normal computer running outlook that you configure the pop3 server and password and user ID, but on a phone.

actually i just looked at it on the internet, maybe its running the palm OS, or even windows CE, in all cases it would just be like logging into your standard email account,

i2c

It's just a gateway through your phone like any other mail client that "pushes" through a firewall on port 25 or port 80 for most popular configurations.

here are the specs of the nokia phone u talking about:
Nokia 9290 Communicator
Full Specifications

Applications

Digital cellular phone (handsfree, handset and headset use)
Fax, Short Messages, E-mail 1
Wireless imaging, digital camera connectivity
Smart Messaging Support 1
WWW, WAP 1
Contacts
Notes
Calendar with multiple views and attachments
Calculator, World time clock with alarms



Size

Dimensions: 6.22" Long x 1.06" Deep x 2.20" Wide
Weight: 8.6 oz



Memory

Total memory is 56 MB - with included 16 MB removable Memory
Card



Technical Data

32-bit ARM9 RISC CPU
Symbian operating system
- Personal Java, C++ support
Wireless data transfer speed up to 14.4 kbps 1
Screen resolution: 640 pixels wide x 200 pixels high
Multimedia card slot. 16 MB memory included.
Network: GSM 1900
Connectivity: IrDA, Ir-TranP, RS-232



System Specific Features

GSM phase 2 signaling
3V SIM Application Toolkit support
Enhanced full rate (EFR) speech codec
Full rate speech codec
Encryption algorithms: none, A5.1, A5.2



E-mail Protocols

POP3 or IMAP4
SMTP
Mime 1 & 2
MHTML



E-mail Servers Supported

Cyrus IMAPD Mail Server
HP Open Mail
Lotus Domino Mail R5
Microsoft Exchange
Netscape Messaging Server
Stalker CommuniGate Pro Mail Server
Sun Internet Mail Server
University of Washington IMAP4 Server
Oracle InterOffice Mail Server
Teamware Office Mail Server
Zmailer



Attachments

Viewing of ASCII text, and JPEG or GIF graphics
All attachments (spreadsheets, text documents, etc.) can be loaded
to a compatible PC using PC Suite 4



Mobile Multimedia

Images supported: JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP and others
Macromedia Flash, Updates >>
- Download for Communicator >>
Real audio and Real video, Updates >>
- Download for Communicator >>



Calendar and Contacts Compatibility

Microsoft Schedule+ 7.x
Microsoft Outlook 97/98/2000
Lotus Organizer 97 5.0, 6.0, and GS 4.0
Lotus Notes 4.5, 4.6, and 5.0
SyncML remote synchronization



Database Compatibility

Requires TCP/IP connection and HTML/HTTP support
Lotus Domino
Oracle
Solid Light Client (only TCP/IP connection required)



Communicator Applications

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Wireless Data Backup
Games
Add-on software



PC Software

PC Suite for Nokia 9290 Communicator for use in Microsoft
Windows 95/98, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and 2000 environments


Accessories

Advanced HF Car Kit (CARK-109)
Li-Ion Battery 1300mAh (BLL-3)
Connectivity Desk Stand with Sync button (DCH-10)
Rapid Cigarette Lighter Charger (LCH-9)
Rapid Travel Charger (ACP-12U)
Data Cable (DLR-2L)
Headset (HDC-8L)
64MB Memory Card (DTS-64)



Battery Performance

Li-lon Battery (1300 mAh)
Talk / Data / Fax Time -- up to 10h
Standby Time -- up to 9d
PDA / Flight mode -- up to 16d


Battery talk and standby times are estimates and depend on signal strength, network conditions, phone features used, battery age and condition, the effect of charging habits, temperatures to which battery is exposed, whether use is in digital mode, or analog mode (if any), and many other factors. Please note that the amount of time a phone is used for calls will affect its standby time. Likewise, the amount of time that the phone is turned on and in standby mode will affect its talk time. For further information, please refer to the user guide.




Personalize Your Nokia
9290 Communicator




Choose accessories and software that fit your needs.

Accessories >>

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Business Tools
Car Kits
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Software >>

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(1) Many features and mobile services are network dependent and require network support. Some networks have limitations that affect how you can use phone features. For instance, not all networks support certain language-dependent characters and services. A mobile provider also may have requested that certain features be disabled in the version of a Nokia phone for use on the mobile provider's network. If so, they will not appear in the phone's menu. Contact your mobile provider about feature support and availability.

(2) Some Mobile Internet WAP services have been pre-configured/specified by the mobile service provider.

(4) Requires Nokia PC Suite software and IR compatible computer or data cable sold separately.

(14) MMS allows you to receive image, sound and text, and send image and text (requires compatible network and device). Content appearance may vary depending on the digital content formats supported. You may not be able to send protected image files and ring tones with some MMS messages.

source: http://www.nokiausa.com/communicator...,1337,,00.html