Category Archives: Physical Security
Obtaining HFS Master Keys
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
Bike locks
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
Security Review – The USPS Mailbox
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
Security Review – Fire Hydrants
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
“The Club” as a vehicle theft deterrence
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
Security Review – Parental Controls for TV
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
Security Review: Biometrics
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
Access Control on King County Metro Transit
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
(un)-Safe Deposit Box Security Review
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