Category Archives: Physical Security

Current Events – Infections that begin with windshield fliers

Posted on February 6, 2009 by qwerty

Not all computer malware infections are done completely electronically.  In recent events, cars in Grand Forks, North Dakota were tagged with “windshield fliers” which resembeled a parking ticket, stating they were violating the “standard parking regulations” and that in order … Continue reading →

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Security Review: Ford MyKey and similar systems

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Tim Crossley

Ford Motor Company has stated that the 2010 Focus Coupe will be equipped with a technology called MyKey. Designed for parents wishing to ensure teenagers practice safe driving, the technology restricts certain actions such as driving too quickly. As currently … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Privacy, Security Reviews | 1 Comment

Security Review: Amazon Kindle

Posted on February 6, 2009 by cxlt

With rumors of Amazon revealing their next Kindle on Monday (an honor Engadget, along with other blogs has already done for them), and as a user of the first Kindle, I figured that with its numerous features, communication methods, and … Continue reading →

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Current Event: racial profiling no more effective than random screening

Posted on February 6, 2009 by ezwelty

In “Study: racial profiling no more effective than random screen”, ArsTechnica reports on a new study by William Press, who claims that using profiling at security checkpoints such as airports is not effective in catching threats. The ineffectiveness, according to … Continue reading →

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Current Event: Malicious Parking Tickets

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Tim Crossley

According to a post on the Internet Storm Center (ISC), some malware writers have turned to leaving false parking tickets in order to lure victims into running malicious programs. The parking tickets contained a URL where one could see a picture of the supposed offense. Upon arrival to the site, users were prompted to download a toolbar in order to view their particular picture(s). Continue reading →

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Security Review: Google Latitude, tracking friends on Google Maps

Posted on February 4, 2009 by jimmy

A recent article on slashdot purports that Google will soon release new software, dubbed ‘Latitude’ enabling users to broadcast their geographic location via Google Maps.  This information can be gathered either from mobile phones, via GPS or local cell phone … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Privacy, Security Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Current events: Sony Ericsson a victim of its own employee

Posted on January 16, 2009 by sal

Issues of stealing physical or intellectual property (physically or electronically) in the context of a malicious company insider are closely interrelated, as some common prevention mechanisms can be adopted for both. According to the recent article by Mikael Ricknas, cell … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Ethics, Physical Security, Privacy | 7 Comments

Absent student forfeits raffle

Posted on January 16, 2009 by stemcel

Here at the University of Washington CSE Department we often have events called Tech Talks, where guest companies come in and give a demonstration of their technologies and expertise. Last night we had a tech talk given by Palantir Technologies, a very promising-looking company that aims to transform the way people work with large data sets by making it easier to discover and visualizing trends and connections in the ever-accumulating mountains of data generated by our modern technological culture. And at the end of the evening they planned to raffle off an iPod touch. Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Ethics, Integrity, Physical Security | 6 Comments

Security Review: UW Bookstore

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Frung

Everyone knows the bookstore sells books only after a tremendous markup. But does that really mean they can afford to employ lax security? Consider the situation of the books department: all of the textbooks for every class in the university … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Security Reviews | Tagged | 7 Comments

Security Review | SIDA Badges and Airport Access Control

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lee

The Technology SIDA (Secure Identification Display Area) badges are identification devices issued to airport personnel, which establish which areas of the airport an employee is authorised to access. Each airport has its own SIDA badge classification system and issuing authority. … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Security Reviews | 2 Comments