The Defendius door chain maze

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on April 2nd, 2008

The Defendius door chain maze
Some of us like to take the simplest things and make them complicated. Like this door chain for instance. This thing will make it beyond complicated to get the door open, keeping others out and keeping you in…forever!

The Defendius was created by mad genius Art Lebedev. I understand the concept and it’s a good one, but maybe a medium sized maze would have been best. Something between the original and this crazy labyrinth. Still, I guess if there are people you really don’t want to see, you can always blame the Defendius. And when they find your corpse after two weeks, half eaten by your cats, they will know the Defendius was installed.

Swann notebook-based DIY surveillance system

Posted in Security by Darrin Olson on March 28th, 2008

Swann Communications notebook based DVR Guardian surveillance systemSwann Communications has been putting out security peripherals for about ten years now and on Thursday announced the release of their latest surveillance convenience tool with the USB 2.0 DVR Guardian. This device can connect to a standard notebook computer via USB and allow it to perform as a quad-monitor surveillance system.

The Guardian can not only monitor and display the video from 1-4 cameras, but can also be set to record from the inputs direct to the local hard drive. DVR-like capabilities allow you to set it to record at specific times of the day or for a set duration upon sensing any motion in its view. The software will then let you control and monitor remotely. Combine this with its ability to send out an email when motion is detected and you can catch would-be thieves in the act.

Personal Pocket Safe encrypted smart drive

Posted in Smart Devices by Conner Flynn on March 24th, 2008

Personal Pocket Safe encrypted smart drive
The Personal Pocket Safe USB flash drive from CHDT Corp. thinks pretty highly of itself as being the first “encrypted, epoxy coated, pin-protected smart drive.” That’s because according to them, the device has military-grade encryption, a password vault and a track-covering feature, so no one will be able to locate it’s presence when it’s removed from the system.

Golly. Sounds impressive, looks neat and shiny too. It also has a rubber key PIN-pad so you can enter a 4 to 10 digit code in order to access the drive. It looks like we won’t be seeing it in the US for awhile unfortunately, so until then your data will no doubt be living in fear.

TF2000 proximity sensor locks your PC

Posted in Security by Conner Flynn on March 4th, 2008

TF2000 proximity sensor
If you have many untrustworthy people around you where you work, you may want to lock your PC whenever you step away from it. This prevents someone from sabotaging your work, viewing sensitive documents or playing a nasty prank on you. Still, you might forget, so the TF2000 Proximity Sensor can automatically lock your system for you, whenever you walk away.

It looks like a small square webcam on top of your screen. Using ultrasound technology, it detects your presence and acts accordingly. The software allows you to specify things like what keystrokes are triggered when you walk away, how long before they’re sent and how far away you have to be before it locks you and anyone else out.

The Biometric fingerprint door lock

Posted in Biometrics by Conner Flynn on February 27th, 2008

Biometric fingerprint door lock
With the biometric fingerprint door lock, you can secure your home with the latest in technology and at the same time, you won’t have to worry about shared or lost keys. Just give it the finger. It’s the only key you’ll need. The lock only opens at your touch.

It’s super easy to install since it’s all built into the door lever. Fingerprints can be registered or erased directly with the lock on your door - and, if you have alot of friends and are very trusting, the lock will accommodate prints from up to 120 of your closest friends. Let’s face it, there are too many keys in use. It drives you nuts doesn’t it? It drives me nuts. Eliminate another key from your life and up your security at the same time.

Color Cube: Once a game, now security

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on February 25th, 2008

Color Cube: Once a game, now security
Probably not a good idea for those with ADD. The Color Cube basically allows users to create their own specific color combination instead of the usual text based password. As a concept it’s brilliant, but it looks like it takes a bit more time and effort, compared to just typing text in. Also, the slow witted among us will be far too easily distracted. Those people have already forgotten everything they’ve just read up to this point.

The idea is that when you need to verify your identity, just solve the Rubik’s Cube. They say that the color combinations are endless since you can even embed little pictures within each tiny screen if you like. Users also have the option of taking the idea further by making it a time based entry and being forced to solve the cube before time runs out and the colors change.

Princeton group breaks encryptions with canned air

Posted in Security by Darrin Olson on February 24th, 2008

Princeton researchers Seth Schoen and Jacob Appelbaum find encryption hack by freezing memoryA group at Princeton University has found an exploit in common computer hardware that allows them to break codes and retrieve the encrypted data stored on the computers hard disks. The process at its most extreme involves direct access to the computer using a can of compressed air held upside down to freeze the DRAM chip(s) to access the encryption key stored in memory.

When stored data is encrypted, the software usually will use a key to encode and decode the data. That key is most often created and stored into a computer’s memory after a user logs into the computer with a password. According to the researchers, a common misconception is that once the computer is turned off, the DRAM memory disappears and so does the encryption key. In their studies, partially funded by the Dept. of Homeland Security, they found that data is actually retained in the computers memory for many seconds or sometimes even minutes after the computer is turned off. They also found that by freezing the memory chips with liquid nitrogen found in a common can of air for removing dust, they could get the data to remain in memory easily for as long as ten minutes, and often longer.

PC Guardian expands computer security offerings

Posted in Security by Nino Marchetti on February 4th, 2008

pc-guardian.jpgPC Guardian, a company which designs security products for computers, announced today an expansion of Master Coded Combo lock offerings for securing your computers and monitors when you get up from your cube to head to work. These security systems are available now in over thirty different configurations.

PC Guardian added five new models to its workstation configurations. All make use of the company’s Ezolution security solution. One is a two piece design for securing a laptop and monitor with the included ability to unlock the laptop independently from the monitor. The other is a one piece solution with two locks, permanently securing a monitor and a desktop computer.

BioCert finger scanner an all-American

Posted in Scanners, Security by Nino Marchetti on September 4th, 2007

BioCert PCLokR Pro 1610Artemis Solutions Group, through its BioCert division of of fingerprint security devices, is making available a new fingerprint reader for small business and home computer users. The BioCert PCLokR Pro 1610 is priced at around $40 and available now.

The BioCert PCLokR Pro 1610 incorporates a new slide fingerprint sensor which BioCert says is very accurate. It’s a small fingerprint reader which supports up to 25 users desiring to login into a particular PC. A slightly more expensive bundle version comes with PC security software.


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