Archive for Security

Ghost Pigeon: Untraceable calls and texts on your mobile phone

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on May 3rd, 2009

Ghost Pigeon: Untraceable calls and texts on your mobile phoneAre you doing stuff that you shouldn’t be doing? If so, then you probably don’t want to get caught doing that stuff. We don’t want to know. But the Ghost Pigeon can help you keep things on the down low. It’s a piece of cloaking software that masks all incoming and outgoing calls and text messages on your handset so people can’t examine your phone and discover who you’ve been in contact with or even when.

It’s not all shady stuff. It’s likely useful for employees searching or interviewing for a new job on their company phone, or for CEOs negotiating a golden handshake and stuff like that. I mean, not everybody is a drug dealer or a smuggler etc.

Axxana Phoenix: Bomb proof data protection

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on April 27th, 2009

Axxana Phoenix: Bomb proof data protectionThe Axxana Phoenix is a solid state flash memory disk array that backs up and stores your important data with no need of remote transfer. It claims to be the toughest data recorder in the world. It can withstand earthquake grade shocks of up to 40G and 5000 pounds of pressure.

It can stand up to extreme temperatures as well. It can survive 2000 degrees F for one hour followed by 450 F for another 6 hours. How about the ability to withstand 30 feet of water pressure and a piercing from a 500 pound rod dropped from 10 feet. Now that’s tough.

Hands On: SmartSwipe Credit Card reader

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on April 20th, 2009

Hands On: SmartSwipe Credit Card readerIf you’re paranoid about your credit card info while shopping online, (And who isn’t?) it just got a little safer thanks to the SmartSwipe credit card reader. You might think you’re safe online as long as that padlock icon is displayed in your browser. And you are pretty safe, but not completely, hackers can still access your personal information while it is being entered into your computer and while it is still in memory.

With this SmartSwipe card reader your info is safe becaue your card information is never stored on your computer. The device uses Dynamic SSL technology and the same level of encryption used in bank machines and ATMs.

Fujitsu Secure USB protects your info

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on April 19th, 2009

Fujitsu Secure USB protects your infoIf you want to make sure that your personal information is protected, check out the latest from Fujitsu. The Secure USB Memory Device makes absolutely sure your data is secure. If you transport a lot of information from computer to computer it will be very useful.

Think of it as a thumb drive with a battery and a processor built in. You can adjust the security settings on the drive so that data will be automatically deleted after a certain period of time. Whatever you decide. Or if someone else tries t use it on another computer.

Bed Bunker: Under-the-mattress storage for the paranoid

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on March 26th, 2009

Bed Bunker: Under-the-mattress storage for the paranoidThere’s a lot to be paranoid about these days. UFOs are abducting humans and cows at an alarming rate. The near collapse of our nation’s banking system. Bigfoot. Shadow governments. The Illuminati. E-coli. North Korea. Bird flu. Grocery store muzak. Falling satellites. Nuclear weapons. Just to name a few.

I don’t have to tell you what it all means. It means that it’s time to start shoving stuff under your mattress. Money. Guns. Medicine. Powdered food rations. Maybe a back-up gaming console. Everyone knows that under the mattress is the most secure place for all your stuff. You sleep there don’t you? You’ll be safe as long as you have your stash of important stuff.

Echo Bot Voice Messenger is a geeky desk guard

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on March 19th, 2009

Echo Bot Voice Messenger is a geeky desk guardAt first glance the Echo Bot Voice Messenger looks like a webcam. It isn’t and it is designed to fool people in just that way. It’s really a motion detector that will guard your desk or cubicle from others who might intrude.

The idea is that you record messages that are triggered by the motion detector. Just record your message,(We would advise something nasty and filled with some particularly colorful metaphors about respecting your stuff) then let the motion detector do it’s thing. If your co-worker invades your space they are going to get a nasty surprise.

Waterproof and fireproof USB SentrySafe

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on February 17th, 2009

Waterproof and fireproof USB SentrySafeIf you absolutely have to put your valuables in a safe, you’ll want something like this. SentrySafes are both waterproof and fireproof. Great for important paper files and jewelry, or important data regarding the Death Star plans or something.

This one also has the added benefit of having a USB slot so that you can access files within the safe, while keeping said files…safe. You can purchase this USB safe for about $1800. For that much dough, I want some assurance that the thief can’t just carry the safe itself off.

Twitter Burglar Alarm tweets to let you know your stuff is being stolen

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on February 11th, 2009

Twitter Burglar Alarm tweets to let you know your stuff is being stolenThis latest Arduino project turns it into a twitter home security system of sorts. The Arduino is used to monitor a home burglar alarm and send out status messages should the status change: Like when the alarm was activated or shut off, error messages, or just when the alarm actually sounds because you are being robbed.

The Arduino’s digital IO pins are wired up to the alarm’s output signals. An XBee wireless module was added, because the alarm control panel is some distance away from the ethernet hook-up, and a simple Linux server (with the USB XBee receiver) monitors any changes and sends the Twitter messages. @alarmdude By the time help gets here I’m gone. Left the zune on your desk.

PINoptic login system is 37 times more secure than a normal password

Posted in Security by Shane McGlaun on February 2nd, 2009

PINopticMost of us are aware of the security concerns of losing a notebook or a flash drive, but with the growth of smartphones, losing your phone could be just as bad if not worse. The typical smartphone today has all sorts of emails, contacts, and access to secure corporate networks tucked inside.

Some people use security with a 4-digit pin to log into their phone, but even a pin can be defeated easily enough just by watching someone log in. PINoptic is a new software product that installs on the smartphone and uses a series of images rather than numbers to login to the device.

Voice-Activated Biometric Safe is…safe

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on November 18th, 2008

Voice-Activated Biometric Safe is…safeWe sure got a ton of nerd rage regarding that Lego safe we posted last night. If you find the Lego safe to be not safe enough, maybe this safe is more up your alley. With the Voice-Activated Biometric Safe, you can be sure that your nerd-stuff (Like that valuable signed William Shatner album) stays safe and sound.

It will only open with a voice command! Once the proper sound waves of your voice are heard, the door will open automatically. If someone tries and fails, the alarm will sound. Of course, someone will just record your voice and can probably get in that way. It’s only $24.99 and takes three AA batteries.

Lego Safe is ultra secure

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on November 17th, 2008

Legos SafeYou might think that a Lego safe would be easy to open. Maybe just remove a few bricks and you’re in. But that’s not the case with this thing, the cutting edge of Lego safe technology. The safe weighs 14 pounds and has a motion detecting alarm so it can’t be moved without creating a huge ruckus.

The lock takes five double digit codes to open it. That translates into over 305 billion different combinations. It even boasts an electronic status display showing the numbers as you turn the combination dials. When you enter the combination, the door electronically opens itself. It’s a great place to store all of your valuable geek stuff. Check out a video below.

Exploding bike lock keeps your ride safe

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on November 5th, 2008

Exploding bike lock keeps your ride safeBike theft is always going on, especially in big cities. And it really sucks to have your bike stolen and have to walk home. Chances are they can’t even catch the thief, because your bike is so similar to everyone else’s and he’s long gone. These problems are now solved thanks to the exploding bike lock. The exploding bike lock…explodes.

If a thief tries to cut it, bang! It goes off. It sprays permanent dye everywhere when it’s cut, so the thief is covered and thereby easily identified. Chances are he’ll leave the bike and he will also be identifiable. I personally think that it would be an added bonus if it smelled like, say, urine. Serves him right. It’s called Karma punk!

Ila Dusk Personal Alarm does the screaming for you

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on October 16th, 2008

Ila Dusk Personal Alarm does the screaming for youThe streets can be unsafe anywhere these days and you can’t take your safety for granted, especially if you are a woman. You can always have some mace or a taser handy, but as some added protection you may want to pack a loud alarm on your person to scare the bad guy off and alert those nearby that you are in trouble.

That’s where this device comes in handy. The Ila Personal Alarm is named after the Hindu goddess of voice and the device will omit a 130 decibel shriek that sounds like a female scream. At £19.50 it’s not a huge purchase and it’s a small price to pay for safety. It could save your life.

3M Mobile ID Reader makes security checks quicker

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on September 28th, 2008

3M Mobile ID Reader makes security checks quickerThis new 3M Mobile ID Reader could soon be used at events or in situations that require tight security. The idea is that it would scan your identification quickly to prove that you are who you say you are. Then you can be on your way in no time. It works like a credit card scanner and it would be used to scan things like your Visa card or passport, cross checking that info with watch lists of those who are threats.

It runs on Windows Mobile 6 and features WiFi, GSM/GPRS EDGE and a fingerprint sensor. It also has 8GB of storage for keeping track of those that have been scanned. That way they can leave all of that data sitting around somewhere and screw us all. Let’s hope not.

Magic Message Mirror home security system

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on September 20th, 2008

Magic Message Mirror home security systemThe Magic Message Mirror is for those who want to combine their love of Disney with home security. Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the safest one of all? You will be, of course. The portrait in the photo above is actually a home security device.

Just wire it into your existing home security system and it will appear to be an ordinary mirror until it’s triggered by someone walking in front of the beam. That’s when the scary apparition appear just like in the Snow White movie, yelling prerecorded phrases you’ve recorded. The mirror is actually a 30 inch LCD display with a CGI character known as “Basil of the Mirror”. I’m not sure it would scare a thief enough to leave and give up his life of crime. It would probably scare him for a few seconds until he realized what’s going on. Then they would likely steal the mirror, because it’s cool.





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