Apparently, the WIPE remote device option in Exchange 2010 wipes out the ENTIRE device not just the exchange data on that device. Ya, I'm not kidding! Since when did an e-mail program have jurisdiction to wipe an entire device. Of course, Microsoft’s not alone, Apple had to know about this as well as Google and all other phone manufacturers. That’s the type of activity I’d expect from a virus! So, last week, we let an employee go. Naturally, we thought that we should send a command to wipe the EXCHANGE information off of his iPhone and iPad. That makes sense, right? But check out this little hidden GEM: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124591.aspx It wipes out everything on the device. Apparently Microsoft doesn't consider this a major $#%!#$ up! Let’s be real, if this button wiped out Microsoft’s bank account, there would be a pop up message that says that CAUTION!!! THIS WILL WIPE OUT THE ENTIRE ACCOUNT!!! And the user would have to accept several places and sign in blood. So the question is, when is Microsoft going to fix this major mistake? At lease give us some options: 1.) Wipe only Exchange information, like you thought this function was for. 2.) Wipe Everything!!!! Frankly, I’m worried about deleting an e-mail in Outlook now, as this may be wiping out the entire North American Air Defense System! Of Course there is a warning on page 46234 of the Outlook manual that has the warning!!! Robert

As far as I know, only 3rd party Mobile Device Management software can differentiate and has the ability to only wipe specific data on a remote device. Part of problem is that each vendor implements activesync in different ways and the protocol itself ( as far as I know) doesnt have the ability to tell if something is personal versus business. That may come in the future however.

Hi I see your point of view, but this is how it works. It would be nice to choose what you want to delete. But they way I see it is, if you've lost a device, why would you want to delete just the Exch info, what if someone found it and got access to the storage card with sensitive data. You'd be in trouble then. Sukh

On Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:12:53 +0000, RobertDanis wrote: >Apparently, the WIPE remote device option in Exchange 2010 wipes out the ENTIRE device not just the exchange data on that device. > >Ya, I'm not kidding! We know! >Since when did an e-mail program have jurisdiction to wipe an entire device. Since you told it it could! >Of course, Microsoft?s not alone, Apple had to know about this as well as Google and all other phone manufacturers. > >That?s the type of activity I?d expect from a virus! No, that's the activity you'd expect when a mobile device containing company information is lost or stolen. >So, last week, we let an employee go. Naturally, we thought that we should send a command to wipe the EXCHANGE information off of his iPhone and iPad. That makes sense, right? If that's your policy and you get agreement from the owner before letting them synchronize their device, yes. >But check out this little hidden GEM: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124591.aspx > >It wipes out everything on the device. Apparently Microsoft doesn't consider this a major $#%!#$ up! Neither do I. >Let?s be real, if this button wiped out Microsoft?s bank account, there would be a pop up message that says that CAUTION!!! THIS WILL WIPE OUT THE ENTIRE ACCOUNT!!! Hardly a "real" situation, is it? >And the user would have to accept several places and sign in blood. Attention! Person that stole this device! If you continue all information will be erased! BTW, you (the administrator) were offered a confirmation of you action. If you didn't know what you were doing, why'd you say "Sure, go ahead"? >So the question is, when is Microsoft going to fix this major mistake? Never. It's up to YOU (you're the administrator, right?) to manage the devices. If you have a policy that says "when you leave the company we will reset your mobile devices" you're in the clear. If you don't have such a policy then shame on you! >At lease give us some options: > >1.) Wipe only Exchange information, like you thought this function was for. And what about all the other company information that's been kept on the device? Lists of accounts and passwords? Company strategy documents? Customer lists? >2.) Wipe Everything!!!! That's pretty much what "Wipe the device" is. >Frankly, I?m worried about deleting an e-mail in Outlook now, as this may be wiping out the entire North American Air Defense System! > >Of Course there is a warning on page 46234 of the Outlook manual that has the warning!!! --- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP --- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP

On Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:12:53 +0000, RobertDanis wrote: >Apparently, the WIPE remote device option in Exchange 2010 wipes out the ENTIRE device not just the exchange data on that device. > >Ya, I'm not kidding! We know! >Since when did an e-mail program have jurisdiction to wipe an entire device. Since you told it it could! >Of course, Microsoft?s not alone, Apple had to know about this as well as Google and all other phone manufacturers. > >That?s the type of activity I?d expect from a virus! No, that's the activity you'd expect when a mobile device containing company information is lost or stolen. >So, last week, we let an employee go. Naturally, we thought that we should send a command to wipe the EXCHANGE information off of his iPhone and iPad. That makes sense, right? If that's your policy and you get agreement from the owner before letting them synchronize their device, yes. >But check out this little hidden GEM: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124591.aspx > >It wipes out everything on the device. Apparently Microsoft doesn't consider this a major $#%!#$ up! Neither do I. >Let?s be real, if this button wiped out Microsoft?s bank account, there would be a pop up message that says that CAUTION!!! THIS WILL WIPE OUT THE ENTIRE ACCOUNT!!! Hardly a "real" situation, is it? >And the user would have to accept several places and sign in blood. Attention! Person that stole this device! If you continue all information will be erased! BTW, you (the administrator) were offered a confirmation of you action. If you didn't know what you were doing, why'd you say "Sure, go ahead"? >So the question is, when is Microsoft going to fix this major mistake? Never. It's up to YOU (you're the administrator, right?) to manage the devices. If you have a policy that says "when you leave the company we will reset your mobile devices" you're in the clear. If you don't have such a policy then shame on you! >At lease give us some options: > >1.) Wipe only Exchange information, like you thought this function was for. And what about all the other company information that's been kept on the device? Lists of accounts and passwords? Company strategy documents? Customer lists? >2.) Wipe Everything!!!! That's pretty much what "Wipe the device" is. >Frankly, I?m worried about deleting an e-mail in Outlook now, as this may be wiping out the entire North American Air Defense System! > >Of Course there is a warning on page 46234 of the Outlook manual that has the warning!!! --- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP --- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP