Keep it clean…and be safe

Posted in: Tips & Tricks, blog by Jack on 23 September 2009

Did you realize that failing to keep your electronics clean could actually impact your security?

Back in the ’70s I was fortunate enough to work in both law enforcement and national intelligence. Both taught me that often the most useful intelligence or evidence comes from the most mundane sources. This was in an era when electronic door locks were the height of technology. We would frequently amuse ourselves by guessing the passcode of a door based solely on the wear pattern of the keys.

People tend to be unaware of just how often they type their password (and too many people only have one password for all their online activities) every day. On light-colored keyboards, the keys used most often become more soiled and more worn than other keys. On dark-colored keyboards, the most used keys become shiny. By looking for the most worn, dirty and shiny keys on a keyboard, I can get a reasonable idea of which keys you use to type your password. This method isn’t foolproof nor does it guarantee I would be able to guess a complex password based on which keys were used the most, but it does provide a means of making it easier for me to reconstruct your password.

Users of the iPhone and iPod touch that password protect their devices have a similar problem. The face of the device retains finger impressions clearly visible on the glass. We know that iPhone passwords are 4 characters long, and by seeing where the fingerprints on the glass face line up with the “enter password” screen, we can pretty easily determine which 4 characters are being used. All we have to do then is try various combinations until we get the right one.

I’m not sure that cleanliness is next to godliness, but I can say that electronic cleanliness is a good security practice. Clean off your keyboards with a paper towel slightly dampened with alcohol every day. Wipe off the face of your iPhone or iPod with a lint-free or microfibre cloth daily.

Don’t let dirt compromise your security.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The art of creating strong passwords (macworld.com)
• Top password tips (macworld.com)
• 4 Unique Tools To Generate Strong Passwords (techie-buzz.com)

HP opens online store for web-connected printer

Posted in: blog by Jack on 8 September 2009

In June we posted a story about the latest HP printer technology, a printer that connects directly to the internet. The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, available soon in stores near you comes equipped with a 4.33″ touch-screen and the ability to surf the web like a miniature PC.

Now HP is announcing the opening of their “app store”, similar in nature to Apple’s app store for iPhones. You’ll be able to directly download applications for your printer like maps, weather reports and food and movie reviews. The apps will work with your printer, allowing you to print out movie tickets and dinner reservations. There will even be games you can download and print out.

Justin Yu at Cnet presents an over-view of HP’s app store and has posted a few screen shots as well.

In a similar fashion to Apple’s iPhone App store, HP’s version can also be accessed using the “Get More” button on the large 4.33-inch touch screen. I had a chance to preview the store in a live demo with HP and the layout is very simple, with small icons and a place to submit user ratings, reviews, and suggestions for future applications. The marketplace is already populated with several applications from HP’s partner companies. Some examples include:

• Snapfish: View, edit (lightly), and print your snapshot photos
• Google Maps: Print maps and directions
• Fandango: Buy and print movie tickets
• DreamWorks Animation: Print coloring pages and movie-themed games for the kids
• Weathernews Inc: Print up-to-date weather information
• Web Sudoku: Print out puzzles and games

HP also has the last piece of the puzzle in the form of the HP Software Developers Kit that will eventually give consumers and developers the tools to create their own Apps for submission to the App Studio. In the meantime, HP will continue to update the store with new apps throughout the year.

Related articles by Zemanta

• HP announces first Web-connected printer (vator.tv)
• There’s A Printer App for That: HP Launches App Studio for its PhotoSmart Premium with TouchSmart Web [Printers] (gizmodo.com)
• Touchscreen popularity fuels lots of startups (venturebeat.com)
• HP launches web-connected, touch-screen printers that don’t need computers (digital.venturebeat.com)
• HP Builds Web Access into Photosmart Home Printer (thaibrother.com)
• Hands-On: HP PhotoSmart Premium with TouchSmart Web [Printers] (gizmodo.com)