
Certicom Secure Memo Pad
ReadMe File for Version 1.1
December 4, 1998
(c) 1998 by Certicom, Inc.

*** General Information ***

The Certicom Secure Memo Pad is a workalike replacement for the
built-in Memo Pad.  It allows you to enter, read, and organize
notes and other information on your Palm Pilot or Palm III
connected organizer.  It adds the power of Certicom's Security
Builder, with 163-bit elliptic curve encryption, to protect your
memos against unauthorized viewers.

After you install the Secure Memo Pad, you can use it at all
times - it will read and write the same memo pad items as the
built-in Memo Pad program.  You can even adjust the "Memo Pad"
button on the front of your device to automatically access the
Secure Memo Pad (see "Configuring Front Panel Buttons" below).

To protect any memo, simply select it from the list, and click
on the "Encrypt Data" checkbox.  The use of public key
encryption means that you can encrypt memos securely at any
time.  You only need to enter your password when you wish to
view an encrypted memo. Your password will remain in memory for
a short period of time; to erase your password and resecure your
data, just turn the device off with the power button.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you remember your password.  If you
forget or lose this password, it will be impossible to read any
of your encrypted messages.  There is a drop-down menu item
which allows you to change your password, but you will need to
enter your original password. If you should forget your
password, your only option is to generate a new key pair; you
can do this by tapping "Forgot it" in the change password
dialog. Since you will be unable to decrypt any existing
encrypted memos, they will be deleted before the new key pair
is generated.

Encrypted memos can be viewed in the standard Memo Pad
application, but their contents will not be visible: instead,
only the displayed title of the memo will appear, along with the
encoded encrypted data. When you HotSync, any memos which are
encrypted will be backed up and restored properly, but they will
not be readable on your desktop computer.


*** Compatibility ***

The Certicom Secure Memo Pad is compatible with any Palm Pilot
or Palm Connected Organizer with system software 2.0 or above.
This includes Palm Pilot Personal, Palm Pilot Professional,
Palm III, some upgraded devices, and some third party devices.

To determine the system software version of your device, follow
these directions.

For a Palm Pilot:

  1.  Turn on your device.
  2.  Tap the "Applications" icon (to the left of the Graffiti
        writing area).
  3.  Tap the "Memory" program icon.
  4.  The system version will be displayed in the upper right
        hand corner.

For a Palm III:

  1.  Turn on your device.
  2.  Tap the "Applications" icon (to the left of the Graffiti
        writing area).
  3.  Tap the "Menu" icon (to the left of the Graffiti writing
        area).
  4.  Select "Version"
  5.  The system version will be displayed in the upper left
        hand corner.


*** How to Install ***

You will need to locate a file named "SecureMemoPad.prc".  This
file should be found in the same folder as this README file.  To
install this file onto your Palm device, follow the directions
below.

  1.  Turn on your device and place it into the HotSync cradle.
  2.  Launch the "Pilot Install Tool" (on the PC, click Start
        Menu and then click Applications to find it)
  3.  Click "Browse" and navigate to the file named
        "SecureMemoPad.prc".
  4.  Ensure that the name of your Palm device is listed in
        the box labelled "User Name".
  5.  Click "Install..."
  6.  Click "Exit"
  7.  HotSync your device.

The HotSync will take longer than normal, as it is installing
the Secure Memo Pad application.  When it completes, you can
open the Applications icon and you should see the Secure Memo
Pad program icon.  Tapping this icon will launch the Secure
Memo Pad program.


*** Configuring Front Panel Buttons ***

It is very easy to configure the front panel buttons to allow
immediate access to the Secure Memo Pad.  To do so, simply
follow these directions:

  1.  Turn on your device.
  2.  Tap the "Applications" icon (to the left of the Graffiti
        writing area).
  3.  Tap the "Prefs" program icon.
  4.  From the drop-down selector in the upper right corner of
        the screen, select "Buttons"
  5.  Using the drop-down menus on the screen, you can choose a
        button icon and assign "SecureMemo" to that button.


*** Information About Elliptic Curve Encryption ***

Certicom Secure Memo Pad 1.0 information is encrypted using
strong security from Certicom Corp. Encryption makes data
unreadable by anyone but the intended recipient.   Security
Builder SDK is Certicoms flagship cryptographic toolkit. The
Security Builder cryptographic toolkit provides all the tools
needed to add strong and fast information security to any
application.

The Security Builder toolkit supports popular computing
platforms, including server, workstation, PDA and embedded
environments.  Security Builder for PalmOS is the most efficient
security solution for the Palm Computing platform.

Memos secured with the Certicom Secure Memo Pad are encrypted
using the ARC4 stream cipher with a 128 bit key.  Key management
is done with 163 bit elliptic curve cryptography, which delivers
security strong enough for the most sensitive information.

Security Builder is a registered trademark of Certicom Corp.


*** Information About Certicom ***

Certicom is the leading provider of security for consumer
information appliances and e-commerce systems. Certicoms
elliptic curve encryption ensures strong, efficient security
that minimizes memory and power use.  For more information about
Certicom and its patented elliptic curve cryptography, please
visit the Certicom Web site: http://www.certicom.com


*** User License ***

Certicom owns the Secure Memo Pad software.  You may use it, but
don't export it.  It is "AS IS" (NO WARRANTIES IMPLIED!)  We
won't fix it or pay you and you can't sue us.



