PrivateFone™ – Frequently Asked Questions

How to use PrivateFone?






Q: How do I securely contact other PrivateFone users?




A: Each PrivateFone device has a unique 7-digit PrivateFone number. Use the PrivateFone Phone app to call the other users, or the PrivateFone Messages app to simply text them. You can also add your friends’ PrivateFone numbers to the PrivateFone Contacts app and securely keep their numbers for future use.






Q: How do I contact people who don’t have PrivateFone?




A: Your PrivateFone device also has an external/public phone number assigned to it. If you call or text any non-PrivateFone numbers, the recipients will receive the phone call or text message from your external/public phone number. They will be able to call you back or send text messages to that number. Please keep in mind that external/public phone numbers are not as secure as PrivateFone numbers.






Q: What apps can I use in PrivateFone?




A: For security reasons, PrivateFone only has apps that are fully secure within PrivateFone’s isolated network. Thus, the popular social apps are not available (and will never be). However, below is a list of secure private apps we have created that work similarly to the popular communication apps:




Secure Phone app

Secure Messages app
Secure Notes app
Secure Contacts app
Secure Calendar app
Secure Camera app
Secure Gallery app
Secure File Storage app

Troubleshooting






Q: If I lost my PrivateFone, what should I do?




A: Once discovered that your PrivateFone is no where to be found, immediately contact PrivateFone customer support, use your password to identify yourself, and report a lost device. We will immediately disable your device, so no one could use it.






Q: Is it possible to install XYZ app in PrivateFone?




A: We allow only apps that pass a very strict security review and can also work within an isolated network (i.e. without any internet access). If you require a specific app, please let us know which one you would like and we will look into the matter.

Secure Architecture






Q: What makes PrivateFone fully secure from Spyware, while other solutions are not?




A: PrivateFone is totally isolated from the public network and environment. We run the apps inside an isolated environment, while the mobile device itself is just a thin client that cannot run apps and is stripped from any behavior that can expose it externally. No other device has an attack vector that even gets close to the tiny size of PrivateFone.






Q: What is the architecture of PrivateFone?




A: PrivateFone has two main components:




1. The physical device, which is a smartphone with a custom-security and read-only operating system, that can only run one app: the PrivateFone thin client app. The physical device is connected to the internet through a mobile network or WiFi, and can only connect to the PrivateFone remote platform.




2. PrivateFone remote platform, which allows mobile apps to run in a remote isolated platform in Nubo’s datacenter. The platform is isolated from the Internet and can only send its display to the thin client that is running on the physical device.

General






Q: How can I know if my phone has been hacked?




A: Some Spyware can be very sophisticated and can really hide well inside your phone, so you will not actually notice if your device has been hacked. The only effective solution is to use a device (i.e., PrivateFone) that has been specifically designed not to be hacked.






Q: Can a Spyware app record my calls?




A: Unfortunately, yes. Once spyware infects your phone, it can record your calls, steal important data (e.g., text messages, emails, pics, etc.). The only effective solution to secure private communication and data is to use a device (i.e., PrivateFone) that is solely designated for data security and privacy.