Category Archives: Physical Security
Current Event: Beware, Cellphones Attacks Next
[Devy Pranowo and Xia (My) Cam] A report from the Georgia Tech Security Center predicts that botnets were likely to hit mobile phones sometime soon. Botnet <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet> can be delivered to machines through email or instant messages, which now is … Continue reading
Current Events – Undocumented Chip in Wii
“Update. This entry was updated on <January 9, 2009> to reflect a <re-interpretation of the original article>. After several years that Wii have been launch, hackers found flaws in Wii’s security aspect. According to an article from Nintendo World Report, … Continue reading
iGorenje Wi-Fi Application for Home Appliances
More and more household appliances are being designed with wireless internet capabilities. Being able to control home appliances via a web portal may improve convenience, but it comes at the cost of potential security vulnerabilities. The European home appliance manufacturer … Continue reading
Security Review: Husky Union Building
The Husky Union Building is the center of life on campus. It is home to the Associated Students of the University of Washington, hundreds of student clubs and organizations, the university bookstore, food vendors, university employee payroll and accounting, information … Continue reading
Security Review: Wireless Home Automation Systems
Summary:Home automation systems in general attempt to enable home owners to have a “smart” house. Instead of light switches you have integrated panels that control everything from your lights, to your shades, to your entertainment system, climate control, alarm system, … Continue reading
Security Review: “Smart Guns”
Overview This is a security review of “Smart Guns,” a general class of locking/use prevention mechanisms for firearms that rely on biometrics or other authentication indicators (such as “smart” chips embedded in the gun and in rings or other tokens … Continue reading
Current Events: British Police Want DNA of Children
From The Guardian, and on Slashdot. Police in the United Kingdom may soon be be able to collect DNA samples from children if they exhibit behaviors that suggest they may commit crimes later in life, at least if Scotland Yard … Continue reading
Water: Essential for Life
Summary: As humans we are cursed by the need for a number of basic necessities. Among these include nutritious food, clean air, and of course water. In this brief post I will focus on the later of these. While the … Continue reading
Security Review: Michael’s Toyota Service Center
My check engine light came on last week, so I called up Michael’s Toyota Dealership and Service Center in Bellevue, WA. I made an appointment and had my husband bring the car into the shop and take a shuttle to work. … Continue reading
Hacking ATMs
ATMs are surprisingly easy to hack according to CNET. From a report on ATMs, up to 90 percent of the ATMs in the U.K. could be at risk for worms, denial-of-service attacks, getting customer data intercepted, and having money stolen … Continue reading