digi-quest

Smartphones

Danyll Wills

Published: 12:00am, 4 May 2008

Why you can trust SCMP

I am unable to save Notes or text messages on my iPhone. I tried something called Syphone, on the internet, but it could not find or recognise my iPhone. What can I do?

Name and address supplied

DQ: I have also tried to use Syphone without success. As you observed, it does not recognise the iPhone when it is attached to the computer. The following solution, from someone who calls himself Teddy Black, worked without a hitch.

Sync the iPhone with iTunes then eject the phone from iTunes. Launch Syphone from www.micromat.com, go to preferences and un-tick 'Run helper app in background'. If Syphone crashes, simply relaunch it. In my case, it found my iPhone instantly and has connected to it ever since (even with 'Run helper app in background' on).

Sadly, this application does not support Chinese. I suspect this will be rectified in a future version. In the meantime, it is the only free application you can get.

I have been told I should encrypt sensitive e-mails. This has always been more trouble than it was worth but now I have a friend who insists on exchanging such messages. Is there a way to do it with the minimum of fuss?

James, Mid-Levels

DQ: I have tried a lot of solutions that claimed they would give you 'easy-to-install', secure e-mail. They have mostly been far from easy. Recently, however, I found something that honours its promise.

The product comes from a company called Comodo. Go to the website (www.comodo.com) and look for 'free secure e-mail certificates' under 'free products'. The installation process was one of the easiest I have encountered. I was not asked what operating system I use but the certificate was sent and installed - after seeking my permission, of course - in my Keychain. Most sites I encounter ask me repeatedly what OS I am using, what browser and what version only to tell me they are not compatible. With Comodo, all I had to do was re-launch my mail client and it was done. I can now send e-mails signed by me electronically and which can be encrypted if the recipient has a key.

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