Security
Sandisk Cruzer Enterprise: the first secure flash drive to support OS X
When we pointed out that the AES encryption functionality on board Iomega's eGo Encrypt hard drive didn't function under OS X, turns out we might have been unfairly singling it out - as Sandisk's Cruzer Enterprise has just claimed the title of the world's first encryptable flash drive to fully function on Macintosh operating systems. Read More
Lenovo ThinkPad gets anti-theft Remote Disable feature
Lenovo is introducing a new security feature for ThinkPad notebooks which allows users to remotely disable their PC via SMS. Developed in conjunction with Phoenix Technologies, the Constant Secure Remote Disable feature is effectively a kill switch that works by creating a mobile phone text command such as “lockdown now PC” or “PC shut off” and sending it to the computer's onboard broadband service. If the PC is turned off when the command is sent, it's automatically disabled the next time it registers on the network. Read More
Kwikset update touchpad doorlock
Keys have served mankind well for thousands of years yet we all know the horrible feeling associated with misplacing those ubiquitous chunks of jangling metal. Now Kwikset, the makers of the SmartScan biometric keyless entry system, are looking to lighten the load on people’s keyrings with their next generation SmartCode Signature Series keyless entry deadbolt. Read More
Lenovo ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive
Losing your portable drive is a bad scenario, but if it happens to hold sensitive unprotected data, things can quickly get worse. Lenovo's solution is the ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive, a compact unit available in 160 or 320 GB versions that protects unauthorized data access by requiring users to type an access code into an in-built numeric keypad. Read More
Gemalto introduces credit card-sized reader for online banking
Digital security provider Gemalto has unveiled the Ezio Thin Reader, a credit card-sized authentication device for online banking, e-commerce, phone banking and other e-banking transactions that prevents the user from having to type their PIN on the vulnerable environment of a workstation keyboard. Read More
Mini sensor to improve detection of greenhouse gases
Governments could be able to more easily and cheaply monitor greenhouse gas emissions thanks to a miniature gas sensor being developed by a new European consortium, led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The sensor would also have applications for consumers by improving air conditioning in buildings. Read More
BMW working on multi-functional Smart Key
BMW Group Research and NXP Semiconductors have developed a prototype multifunctional car key that can incorporate contactless payment, personalized access control and even functions like public transport e-ticketing. Creating new usage scenarios for future consumers, the prototype is powered by NXP’s SmartMX security chip and allows drivers to perform quick, secure and convenient electronic payments using their car key. Read More
GE develops battery-free RFID tags
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GE Global Research has announced a new type of radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor that by-passes the need for on-board batteries by drawing power wirelessly from a hand-held reading device. The significance of the design is that it facilitates the manufacture of much smaller sensors at low cost, opening up a new range of potential applications from measuring the freshness of packaged food goods to more effective detection of biological threats. Read More
UPEK announces US government-certified fingerprint module
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Recently showed at the Biometrics Consortium Technology Expo in Florida, UPEK's its TCEFx1 USB fingerprint module uses the only silicon-based fingerprint sensor certified by the FBI for US government applications. Read More
USB-enabled smart transit card to trial in France
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Smart cards that combine RFID contactless transaction capability with USB connectivity will be trialed by French public transportation company SNCF according to a report from RFID Journal. As well as working with existing RFID transaction infrastructure, Neowave's Weneo smart cards enable users to purchase tickets from a PC at home using the USB connection... and it's also a handy 4GB portable data storage device. Read More
Sharp's solar LED street lights incorporate seismic detection
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The argument for switching to solar-powered street lighting seems very clear cut: they run on sunlight, emit no CO2 emissions, provide an off-the grid source of lighting during in an emergency situation and use efficient LED-based light which tends not to attract insects. Sharp Corporation has announced plans to roll-out two new models of solar-powered LED street lights in the Japanese market and these have the added bonus of in-built Seismic Motion Sensors which detect earthquakes of five or greater on the Japanese seismic scale and respond by switching to full illumination for two nights. Read More
SanDisk WORM secure memory card
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In order to bring both security and longevity to data storage, SanDisk has announced the SDTM WORM (Write Once Read Many) Card, a digital memory drive that preserves important data for up to 100 years, and prohibits alteration or deletion. 128-megabyte SD WORM cards are currently available, with the capacity expected to increase with time. Read More
Hirsch Electronics' versatile building security solution
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Increasingly, building managers and government organizations are finding they have to adopt more sophisticated security systems to protect their employees, customers and buildings from security threats. Recognizing the need for flexibility on this arena, Hirsch Electronics has manufactured the Verification Station- a high-security, multi-purpose biometric system which allows a building administrator to select and change at will the means of entry to a building if the security situation is heightened. Employees may be required to use smart cards or fingerprints or they may have to use a number of authentication processes, perhaps their finger and smart card or their finger, smart card and identification code. Read More
Novel approach to car stereo theft-prevention
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Instructables is a website dedicated to supplying information from members on how to complete a vast array of DIY projects. One of the more unusual, but potentially useful, ideas is to hide your fancy new car stereo with a crappier one in order to ward off would-be thieves. Read More
StealthVue Pennycam aids reliable surveillance
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It’s frustrating when sophisticated surveillance technology is circumvented by robbers who use a not-so-sophisticated baseball cap to shield their face. Retailers can reclaim the edge with StealthVue’s PennyCam, a hidden camera that provides upwardly-angled pictures of anyone who approaches the counter, delivering a clear, identifiable view of their face.
UPEK's fingerprint sensor to be incorporated on 2009 Notebook PCs
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June 6, 2008 Consumers are increasingly attracted to the security and convenience offered by fingerprint scanners. Not only does it ensure the confidentiality of computer files, it's a silver bullet for the frustrated segment of the market that is running short on favorite sports teams and childhood pets to use as passwords. The latest example of fingerprint reading being brought to the broader consumer market comes UPEK, which has launched the TCS5 TouchStrip Fingerprint Sensor, a system that uses High Definition 3 Dimensional amplified sensing technology to read past the surface of skin to the “live layer”. The TCS5 is set to be included on 2009 Notebook PC models and is currently being demonstrated to select PC manufacturers at Computex Taipei. Read More
StreetLab Mobile identifies dangerous chemicals on the scene
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GE Security has introduced a handheld device that can identify the chemical makeup of unknown substances in liquid, powder and solid forms. StreetLab Mobile can presently identify over one thousand potentially dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde, liquid and solid explosives, and Cresol and Benzene. Read More
Bioscrypt unveils new VisionAccess face reader
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May 19, 2008 Bioscrypt has launched its next generation VisionAccess 3D face reader. Using the entire facial surface structure of a person’s face, the reader can authenticate users in less than one second, even in complete darkness. Read More
Splinternet debuts Dirty Bomb detector network
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April 2, 2008 Splinternet Holdings is introducing a new "dirty bomb" detection system that manages a network of solid state GammaTect radiation sensors which send real-time notifications to command centers as soon as the presence of threat-level gamma rays is detected.
Wide-angle camera improves security surveillance
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Researchers at the University of Alabama (UAH) have developed a wide-angle camera that will assist security forces by enabling them to monitor large areas through high-resolution images taken from a satellite or an airborne craft. The proposed one giga-pixel camera was created after UAH researcher, David Pollock, discovered that if you point a large number of lenses toward a common point, and then make a small correction on each of the lenses, you have a camera with capabilities that far surpass existing technologies. Read More
ThruVision's T5000 security system sees through clothing
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March 12, 2008 ThruVision’s T5000 Security Imaging System uses passive terahertz imaging technology to reveal concealed weapons in both stationary and mobile subjects - even outdoors - at a range of up to 25 meters. T-rays can pass through clothing, paper, cardboard, wood, masonry, fog and clouds, but bounce off metal, liquid, and some ceramics and plastics – this allows the T5000 to easily identify weapons even in a moving crowd of people. Read More
Snowflake Technologies releases prototype vein recognition security system
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March 4, 2008 As security of personal information becomes more important, new technologies are emerging in the fight for privacy protection, fraud prevention and increased security. One of these is vein pattern recognition, and biometric company Snowflake Technologies has just released a prototype identity verification system based on this technology. Read More
Lockheed Martin receives contract to develop FBI's Next Generation Identification System
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February 19, 2008 Lockheed Martin has received a ten-year, $1 billion contract from the FBI to develop and maintain the Next Generation Identification system, which will expand fingerprint capacity to double the size of its current database, and incorporate palm print, iris, and facial recognition capabilities. The system is also designed to incorporate other biometric modalities that may become important in the future.
Zonet to launch night-vision, motion detection IP security cameras
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Zonet is releasing two Internet Protocol security cameras in November. The $220 7630 and $320 wireless 7630W both have built in web servers with individual IP addresses that can connect directly to a user’s network and be accessed from a standard web browser.February 15, 2008 Zonet has announced the upcoming release two new portable lP security cameras featuring motion detection and night-vision capabilities. The USD$220 7630 model and its USD$320 wireless counterpart (7630W) both have built in web servers with individual IP addresses that can connect directly to a user’s network and be accessed from a standard web browser. Read More
Researchers develop new dark field x-ray technique
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February 5, 2008 A breakthrough by European researchers has the potential to expand the application of powerful "dark-field" x-ray imaging using standard medical and industrial imaging equipment. Normally only possible via prohibitively expensive and sophisticated crystal optics, the detailed images produced by "dark-field" x-rays could be applied to diagnose breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, identify explosives in hand luggage, or pinpoint hairline cracks in airplane wings. Read More
Eikon Fingerprint Reader now Mac compatible
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January 15, 2008 Biometric security specialist UPEK has launched a software solution allowing Mac users to connect to its Eikon Digital Privacy Manager USB fingerprint reader. Announced at Macworld in San Francisco this week, the UPEK Protector Suite® for Mac software supports Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and OS X 10.5 Leopard. Read More
WowWee's Rovio: 3-wheeled, Wi-Fi enabled robotic home surveillance
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January 9, 2008 Have you every wondered exactly what your cat or dog gets up to when you’re not home? WowWee Robotics, the pioneering company behind Robosapien, has unveiled its new WiFi-enabled, remotely-controlled robotic webcam platform at the International CES. Known as Rovio, the 3-wheeled telepresence allows you to interact with its environment, surveying the home or office remotely through streaming video and audio transmitted via the Internet to your cell phone, PC or video game console. The self-docking robot has the ability to act semi-autonomously using NorthStar smart navigation - a directional system that works like a micro-GPS, enabling Rovio to know where it is, locate the position of other objects, and accurately navigate through its environment under its own control. Read More
Lasershield to unveil Sparrow home security Internet adapter
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December 27, 2007 Home security specialist LaserShield Systems, Inc. will introduce what it describes as the first Plug & Go wireless instant home security system for the Internet at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Read More
World’s first fingerprint protected personal navigation device
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December 4, 2007 Theft of personal navigation devices (PNDs) is on the rise with several European and US cities reporting that GPS devices are the most commonly stolen items in cars today. To combat this, MEDION AG and AuthenTec have announced the launch of the world’s first personal navigation device to use a fingerprint sensor to enhance user security and deter device theft. Read More
CDSoft-R Cryptex: self-recorable media with automatic encryption
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November 30, 2007 Soft-R Research LLC has released an “all-in-one” self-recordable CD with the added bonus of a in-built encryption technology. The CDSoft-R Cryptex "digital safe box" integrates a simple recording wizard with the ability to automatically encrypt and secure your data, removing any trace of your files on the computer used by destroying all Temp files when the CD is removed. Read More
Hitachi’s biometric steering wheel technology
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November 1, 2007 Another technological gem to surface at the Tokyo Motor Show is Hitachi’s finger vein authentification steering wheel system. The potential for this biometric system goes way beyond the enhancement of vehicle security – not only does it provide driver verification in a fraction of a second just by gripping the steering wheel, it also paves the way for authorization of automatic payment in drive-thrus or for music downloads to increasingly sophisticated networked car audio systems. Read More
Avurt IM-5 non lethal self defence pepper gun
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November 1, 2007 The Avurt IM-5 launcher is a flashlight sized non-lethal self-defense device that has a longer range than Tasers and aerosol-based pepper spray. The USD$299 laser sighted launcher fires pellets filled with PAVA powder at distances of up to 40 feet, burning the eyes, nose and throat of the target. Read More
UK's third National Identity Fraud Prevention Week
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October 9, 2007 Identity fraud is an increasingly prevalent global problem and this week marks the third annual National Identity Fraud Prevention Week in the UK. The campaign, backed by both the public and private sectors, aims to educate consumers and businesses as to the dangers of identity fraud and the preventative steps that can be taken. Read More
STOP-Lock two-tiered laptop security system
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September 29, 2007 Until now most laptop security systems have either physically secured the laptop or helped track it down once it’s been lost or stolen. The STOP-Lock from security manufacturer Secure-It, Inc. has combined these elements in a laptop security system which combines a tracking system with a locking mechanism to help deter thieves. Read More
USB key adds physical element to enhance data security
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September 28, 2007 Where credit card and banking information is being processed, user authentication, accountability and data security are of paramount importance. The iKey 4000 is a USB device that authorized users carry with them at all times in order to gain access to secure systems. It adds an extra factor to the access control puzzle – you need to both have the physical key and know the correct password to get in, thus satisfying the highest Payment Card Industry security protocols. Read More
