Category Archives: Physical Security

Obtaining HFS Master Keys

Posted on January 13, 2008 by nekret

Despite the huge cost of “missing” master keys, HFS (Housing and Food Services) continues to use easily produced staff ID cards to prove the identity of their employees. This vulnerability in the key checkout procedure could allow anyone with access to a card printer or even a lamination machine to obtain not just one master key for an individual residence hall but all master keys for every hall. Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Security Reviews | 1 Comment

Bike locks

Posted on January 13, 2008 by Max Aller

With many people living off campus, biking is a popular method for getting to class in a timely manner.  Bikes can be quite expensive, however, and riders are usually forced to put them in a public location (for sake of … Continue reading →

Posted in Availability, Physical Security, Security Reviews | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Security Review – The USPS Mailbox

Posted on January 13, 2008 by mccoyt

Overview The blue USPS mailbox, a ubiquitous object on American streets today, is one of the most recognizable security devices currently in use. Despite its many shapes and sizes, its purpose boils down simply to one of protection of privacy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Security Reviews | 2 Comments

Security Review – Fire Hydrants

Posted on January 12, 2008 by jkivligh

This is a security review of a fascinating device known as a fire hydrant. To state the obvious, a fire hydrant is designed to allow certain city personnel (firefighters) access to high pressure water in the case of an emergency. … Continue reading →

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“The Club” as a vehicle theft deterrence

Posted on January 12, 2008 by cbhacking

Steering wheel locks, in particular The Club,[1] are a standard method for securing automobiles against theft. They work by attaching to the steering wheel in such a way that the wheel cannot be turned sufficiently for driving, and then locking … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Security Review – Parental Controls for TV

Posted on January 11, 2008 by robert

Summary Parental controls on television sets (or on the Internet, or mobile phones, etc.) allow parents to restrict the media to which their children have access to an age-appropriate level. Parental controls allow parents to restrict access to television based … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous, Physical Security, Security Reviews | 2 Comments

Security Review: Biometrics

Posted on January 11, 2008 by mstie74

Summary Biometrics is an authentication mechanism that relies on identification or verification based on unique physiological characteristics.  Biometric devices employ fingerprint recognition, hand geometry, retina scanning, and other methods to identify or verify a person based on stored biometric information.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Privacy, Security Reviews | 2 Comments

Access Control on King County Metro Transit

Posted on January 11, 2008 by alpers

Buses are vital for college students looking to get out of the university district and explore the greater Seattle area. The King County Metro transit service is partially funded by local and federal government but depends on riders’ tolls to … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Security Reviews | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

(un)-Safe Deposit Box Security Review

Posted on January 11, 2008 by chrislim

My review was on safety deposit boxes based on my experience using them. I was surprised at how stunningly insecure they are (although there may be additional controls I did not know about that banks implement), and am further surprised … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Security, Security Reviews | 7 Comments