Posts Tagged ‘encryption’
Did you know that the vast majority of calls carried out on the 3.5 billion GSM connections in the world today are protected by a 21-year old 64-bit
encryption algorithm? You should now, given that the A5/1 privacy algorithm, devised in 1988, has been deciphered by German computer engineer Karsten Nohl and published as a torrent for fellow code cracking enthusiasts and less benevolent forces to exploit. Worryingly, Karsten and his crew of merry men obtained the binary codes by simple brute force -- they fed enough random strings of numbers in to effectively guess the password. The
GSM Association -- which has had a 128-bit A5/3 key available since 2007, but found little takeup from operators -- has responded by having a whinge about Mr. Nohl's intentions and stating that operators could just modify the existing code to re-secure their networks. Right, only a modified 64-bit code is just as vulnerable to cracking as the one that just got cracked. It's important to note that simply having the code is not in itself enough to eavesdrop on a call, as the cracker would be faced with just a vast stream of digital communications -- but Karsten comes back to reassure us that intercepting software is already available in customizable open source varieties. So don't be like Tiger, keep your truly private conversations off the airwaves, at least for a while.
GSM call encryption code cracked, published for the whole world to see originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We can't say we've ever heard of a $26 Russian program called SkyGrabber before, but it's about to get famous real fast -- according to the
Wall Street Journal, Iraqi insurgents have been regularly using the satellite-snooping software to monitor live Predator video feeds. Apparently the Predator transmits video over an unencrypted link, so there's no major hacking or security breach going on here, but it's obviously a huge issue -- and we'd say the bigger problem is that Pentagon officials have known about this flaw since the 1990s, but they didn't think insurgents would figure out how to exploit it. Way to underestimate, guys. The WSJ says the military is working to encrypt all Predator feeds from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, but it's slow going because the Predator network is more than a decade old and based on proprietary tech -- too bad it's not proprietary enough to keep prying eyes out of it.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Iraqi insurgents using $26 software to monitor Predator video feeds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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pureSilicon's
original Renegade family just started shipping in Q1 of this year, but as it looks to stay one step ahead of the competition (and provide us all with a version big enough to hold all of our, um,
family photos), the company is already introducing its Renegade R2 family. Designed to meet MIL-STD-810F standards while still offering 255MB/sec sequential read rates and 180MB/sec sequential write rates, these low-height (9.5 millimeter) 2.5-inch
SSDs should fit perfectly within the bulk of laptops on the market today. The crew -- which is comprised of 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models -- will soon be joined by PATA and 1.8-inch siblings. If you're looking to get your hands on one, most all of 'em are shipping today, though the 256GB flavor and encrypted models won't leave the dock until Q1 of next year.
Filed under: Storage
pureSilicon adds 256GB model to new Renegade R2 SSD range originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Origin Data Locker: For the paranoid geek who lives with his parents in their fortified underground bunker.
Doubt it? Everything from the belongs-on-a-battleship looks to the AES encryption software to the 6-18 digit PIN screams "you will not get the 1TB of porn inside me."
Even the touchscreen keypad is paranoid, as it changes randomly each time you use it so the spies you think are on your tail can't memorize the PIN. One touch drive erase means the hentai secrets get scrubbed instantly the moment your parents those spies catch you.
Pricing starts at $488 for the 750GB version and $652 for the 1TB. [Slashgear]
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Questionably christened the world’s first 1TB portable hardware-encrypted hard drive, Origin Storage’s extra-capacious Data Locker Secure Drive is certainly the one to get if you’re paranoid about whatever it is you’d keep on such a large platter. Also available in 750GB, 500GB and 320GB models, the drives are secured by AES hardware encryption and a 6 to 18 digit PIN number which must be entered directly onto the device itself before the contents become accessible. Think James Bond, but for real. The USB-powered unit also packs rubber shoulders in case things get a little crazy between you and Mr. Data Thief, though we wouldn’t try running this thing through the rain forest if at all possible. The 1TB edition will be available soon for £399 ($652), while the others are priced at £299 ($488), £239 ($390) and £180 ($294) from largest to smallest.
[Via Slashgear]
Filed under: Storage
Origin unveils 750GB and 1TB Data Locker encrypted external HDDs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Quite a lot
has happened in the world of
Clickfree since it went
a little crazy at
CES, but we're pretty jazzed about its latest effort. The predictably titled C2 is little more than a tweaked and refreshed version of the original backup-inclined external hard drive, but the boost in features makes this one worth considering. Available with a built-in USB cable and an even easier backup interface, the C2 can now handle automatic iPod music / playlist imports, direct-to-DVD burning, improved media sharing and a lovely migration feature that makes the
arduous process of moving from Windows XP to Windows 7 a lesson in simplicity. The drive will be available in 250GB (C2 227; $139.00), 500GB (C2 527; $199.99) and 350GB sizes, with the latter to be made available in January 2010. So, are you finally done pushing aside the need to back your digital life up? Has Apple's
increasingly lackadaisical software team taught us anything? Bizzare promo video is after the break.
Continue reading Clickfree adds hassle-free migration, other features to C2 backup drive (video)
Filed under: Storage
Clickfree adds hassle-free migration, other features to C2 backup drive (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Noticing a "Policy Requirement" error when trying to use your Microsoft Exchange account after upgrading to
OS 3.1? Then there's a good chance you're not using an iPhone 3GS, as Apple has just confirmed via a support page that the upgrade can now enforce the Exchange ActiveSync mailbox policy requiring encryption on the device, which just so happens to only be supported by the 3GS (guess that "S" stands for more than just speed). Not surprisingly, the only solution for non-3GS users is to contact their Exchange Server administrator and hope that they're willing to change the policy to no longer require device encryption.
Filed under: Cellphones
iPhone OS 3.1 enforcing Exchange device encryption, only supported by iPhone 3GS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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To think it was just a few months ago that we thought
taking 15 minutes to crack WPA encryption was a feat. Researchers from Kobe University in Japan are claiming they can best that by a wide margin by cracking any WPA-protected connection using the TKIP algorithm within just one minute flat. The details will be revealed at a tech conference on September 25th. Feeling paranoid? Bump up your encryption to the still-secure AES algorithm or WPA2... and if you're just wanting to live life on the edge, consider downgrading to WEP -- it's
as good as open at this point anyway.
Filed under: Wireless
WPA networks cracked in just under a minute, researchers claim originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Aegis Padlock Secure Drive has its own keypad and admin feature to lock your data down. It also has 128-bit realtime or 256-bit AES hardware encryption, shock mounting, and come in sizes up to 500GB.
The Padlock isn't the first hard disk to have its own keypad (Lenovo's ThinkPad USB Secure Hard Drive gets that honor), but the Padlock's 256-bit AES encryption is unique.
Prices for drives with 128-bit encryption are: $99 (250GB); $109 (320GB); and $139 (500GB). 256-bit encryption is a $20 extra in each case.
• Hardware Encrypted Drive - Real-time 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption seamlessly encrypts all data on the drive, protecting the drive even if it is removed from its casing
• Extensive Shock Mounting - Protects your data with a 16-point omni-directional shock mounting system
• Worry free 3 year warranty
• Compatible with any OS - Windows, Mac & Linux
[Apricorn via Electronista]
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Buffalo's
MiniStation DataVault series of drives is focused on data protection, from hackers and clumsy owners alike, with features like automatic full disk encryption and ruggedized shock-resistant design. The latest model, identified in Japan by the dry alphanumeric title you see above, sticks to the security-centric formula but bumps the storage to a sweet 500GB. ¥23,200 ($244) will be enough to snag the USB-powered 5,400RPM device in mid-August, and a prompt US / European release also seems highly likely. Judging by what's already available in the US, you can expect a three year warranty plus preloaded auto-backup software and mobile versions of
Firefox and Thunderbird for avoiding the scourge of IE wherever you may roam.
[Via
PC Watch]
Filed under: Storage
Buffalo HDS-PH500U2 gives you 500GB of rugged, encrypted storage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Origin Data Locker: For the paranoid geek who lives with his parents in their fortified underground bunker.
