The Four-eyed Journal » USB

IronClad – secure PC on a USB

jhay — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:20:10 +0000

Secure PC on a USB on steroids

Talk about military technology being directly used in a commercial product. US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, the same company that made the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, has introduced a USB drive that serves as secure PC-on-USB device.

It’s a USB thumb drive the size of a chewing gum stick but embedded with Lockheed Martin’s IronClad technology that powers the operating system right off the USB device. All in this in a 8GB space secured with 256-bit encryption software. The actual USB device is encased in a rugged, water- and shock-resistant metal case.

It’s key features include:

256-bit, military-grade encryption protects everything on the drive, all the time.
Built-in secure software applications and browser protect you from malware and viruses.
Remote management lets you turn lost or stolen drives into “bricks” – permanently deleting all data – to ensure your data stays secure.
Managed, “white-listed” application portfolio means no unauthorized programs or applications can be loaded into the system – you have total control at all times.
Embedded security policies keep a close watch on the system at all times, seeking out potential threats or risks.
Rugged, solid metal casing is waterproof and tough enough to withstand significant shock, heat and cold.

The basic idea is for you to take not just your files, but your entire PC environment in a secure USB drive and use it in almost any PC or laptop you can find. With its security features, malware, viruses and rootkits are blocked off and your files never actually ‘touch’ the hard drive of the PC you’re using. It’s like carrying your PC and all your files including those highly sensitive ones like your p0rn or business plans in a safe in your pocket.

It would be ideal for those who are mobile, carry and do a lot of work in the field, like police, medical professionals, business men and others. Perhaps the COMELEC would like to avail of this IronClad USB device for use this coming 2010 automated elections. It’s another layer of security in protecting our votes.

Pricing has not been announced yet, but you can visit Lockheed Martin’s website for more information.

Spycam Classic Lighter Camera – 4Gb USB spycam

jhay — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:00:37 +0000

Here’s a neat gift for this coming Christmas, especially to the ones who dream of becoming a secret agent like James Bond or Jason Bourne. A harmless looking, classical disposable lighter that looks and feels like the real thing but inside is a tiny camera for discreetly recording moments and gathering intel on whoever you want to spy on.

This spycam device has the following specs:

Video camera disguised as a standard classic style lighter
4GB memory capacity
AVI video format, 640×480 resolution
Single push button operation
Built-in battery charges via USB
Dimensions: 3.5″ x .9″ x .43″ (mm)

Non-smokers though may have less success in using this device because their friends would find it strange to see them with a lighter in hand and awkwardly pointing it to their targets, the device could easily be put in less conspicuous places like your office desk, locker or pretty much everywhere else.

Be careful with it though, as irresponsible use of this camera device could land you in jail. Grab it while it’s on sale for $49.99 over at ThinkGeek.

Transformers 2 Revenge of The Fallen on a 4GB USB Drive

jhay — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:10:50 +0000

I’m a Transformers fan so regardless of the not-so excellent reviews the sequel received, I’ve been waiting to have copy of it most probably on DVD.

Transformers 2 on a USB drive

However, there’s a geekier alternative. Buying a 4GB USB drive that’s shaped like an Autobot shield that has the Transformers 2 movie in it. It can be played on up to five devices and the movie can even be burned on a DVD for backup perhaps.

It has a price tag of $30 USD and will start to ship on the 30th of November.

So which one would you go for? This USB drive or the DVD?

Via NerdApproved

The Beatles entire catalog in an Apple

jhay — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:00:17 +0000

Okay, I’m still drooling over the recently released digitally re-mastered The Beatles’ catalogue on CD last September yet here I am again about to drool some more because come December 7 of this year, the very same catalog would be released in an Apple-shaped USB drive that sells for a jaw-dropping $279.99!

The Beatles in a USB

I shit you not, the apple-shaped device has been produced by Apple Corp in partnership with EMI and they’re making only 30,000 units of this 16GB device. Besides the entire Beatles’ catalog, it also contains all of the re-mastered CDs’ digital artwork, some mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes. The audio would be in the following formats FLAC 44.1 Khz 24 bit and MP3 320 Kbps.

This would be the perfect Christmas gift to any Bealtes fan, just like myself. (Makes parinig to girlfriend and my parents) So now I’m really tempted to skip enrolling for this 2nd semester and just blow my money on this $280 apple and give the Beatles fan in me a musical orgasm of epic proportions.

Image via TG Daily

Laptop Accessory: Bluetooth USB adaptor

jhay — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:04:20 +0000

Though the Compaq c765TU is a good laptop with mid-range specs it doesn’t come with a few bonus features that extend the mobility and utility of the portable computer.

Such feature is a built-in Bluetooth capability which you can normally find in high-end laptops with higher price tags. Though Bluetooth capability is not that essential today, it will be in the very near future as more and more development in communication technology is pushed towards the mobile platform like cell phones and PDAs. Though some would argue that the PDAs days are now numbered because of the increasing power of mobile phones in which the latter is being integrated in to the former. Any one care for a Nokia E-series or the Sony Ericsson P1?

Of course the portable computer would still be around. The trend today are those ultra-portables or UMPCs like the iconic Asus Eee PC and it’s various competitors. So the gap between the notebook computer and the mobile phone must be bridged. Sure there are cables but these are clumsy, bulky and so yesteryear’s trend. Today It’s wireless connectivity baby!

Okay, enough keyword-rich blogging and let’s get straight to the point. Buying a laptop is like buying a new car. You will eventually buy accessories for it that will enhance the performance or boost it’s “oomph!” factor.

Though I lean towards usability even if it means sacrificing some aesthetics, I try to find accessories that has a good balance of both.

Facts:
My Compaq c765TU laptop is, over-all, a pretty decent portable with respectable specs.

I use a Sony Ericsson K800i as my de facto point-and-shoot camera for blogging and taking occasional videos. It can also function as a modem for me to connect to the internet over the air.

Problems:

The Compaq c765TU doesn’t have a built-in Bluetooth device that allows me wirelessly connect the K800 for file transfers or using it as a modem.

I don’t like to use the phone’s cable because one; it will take up another USB port on my laptop, and second; it’s clumsy, bulky and I don’t want another cable to clutter my workspace.

The solution:

A Bluetooth USB Adaptor

Bought this for roughly Php800.00 at Octagon Computers in SM Dasmariñas last May and it’s made by Toshiba though it’s not branded as such.

It’s quite simple to use and operate, just pop-in the installer disk for the device software and driver then plugin the device itself on one of the USB ports and viola! My laptop is now Bluetooth capable allowing me to wirelessly transfer files mostly photos, from my phone for a quick editing then using it to compliment my blog posts.

It’s a Bluetooth Class 1 device which gives me a range of up to 100m (328 ft.) with it I can do the following:

Synchronize data between my mobile phone and laptop
Connect to an office or home network if it has a Bluetooth access point
Connect to my mobile phone and use it as a modem for internet access
Portable wireless file transfer to any other Bluetooth-enabled device.

I’ve done most of the things above save for two things; connect to a network that has a Bluetooth access point and lastly, use my phone as a modem for web access. Since I’m in the provinces the latter would next to impossible to do so I’m now working on how to setup my K800i phone to function as a modem and finally try out Globe’s 3G/HSDPA internet services. And that would be another blog post for another day.