Category Archives: Security Reviews
Security Review – GSM Cellphones
I’ve seen a few people on this blog cover various aspects of cellphone security, including the new iphone 3rd party support and GPS tracking, however I haven’t seen anything covering the most basic of cellphone features, voice communication. It seems … Continue reading
Security Review: ‘taspo’ RFID cards for cigarette vending machines
Being a frequent visitor to Japan and thus knowing its people and culture fairly well, I thought it’d be appropriate for me to conduct a review on the new ‘taspo’ RFID cards which Yoshi also mentioned a while back. The ‘taspo’ … Continue reading
Security Review: Costco
Summary: In order to shop at Costco, one must have a membership and proof of that membership. When an individual purchases a membership at Costco, they and their spouse may use the membership at any Costco. Otherwise, no one else … Continue reading
Apple’s Hymn/FairPlay DRM
Summary FairPlay is an encryption scheme (DRM) developed by Apple to prevent users from further distributing playable content to other users. It has been cracked numerous times in different ways to create unrestricted/unencrypted versions of the content. The technology has … Continue reading
Security Review: Husky Cards with Smart Card Technology
Summary The Husky Card is a University of Washington student’s lifeline. It provides student identification, building access, public transportation, and access to monetary funds for use on and around campus. Starting in 2009, the Husky Card will get an upgrade … Continue reading
Steam: The Content Distribution Platform for Games
Within the last couple of years, Valve Corporation (of Half-Life fame) over in Bellevue designed and implemented a content distribution platform called “Steam” with the intent of distributing its games through a distributed network placed around the world. Their goal … Continue reading
Security Review: The Switch from IPv4 to IPv6
The premise is, at some point in the future, it would be ideal for the internet to be using IPv6 as it’s main backbone, rather than the current IPv4. A discussion of the features and algorithms of IPv6 is beyond … Continue reading
Security Review: iPhone
iPhone offers lots of convenient functionality, such as phone, internet, music play and etc., making it a communication power house. However, it also opens up lots of new security risks. Since there is already an security review on iPhone 3rd … Continue reading
M-Pesa: Banking via SMS
I was recently informed about a rather interesting service that is being used in Kenya called M-PESA. According to their website, “M-PESA provides an affordable, fast, convenient and safe way to transfer money by SMS anywhere in Kenya. Through … 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