About OnStar

With so much talk in the media about OnStar thought it would be useful to discuss how it works

If this is true is something to be aware of

Security Product Review: Blackberry Mobile Anti Theft Recovery Software

Roblock

features of this product

Now Compatible with Blackberry OS 4.5 GPS & Cell based device tracking Remote interaction through SMS, Email and Web interface SMS/Email notification on SIM Change to predefined recipient Recover contacts from lost phone Remote Wipe the entire device/media card Remote LOCK & ALARM Remote Call Back Does not require BES for Remote Wipe Easy Configuration Password Protected Settings

Security Tech Tip: New paint promises high-speed Wi-Fi shielding

By Tom Jowitt , TechWorld , 01/21/2009

IT managers should start familiarising themselves with a new security tool, the paint brush, as Japanese researchers have come up with a paint that they say will block high-speed wireless signals, giving businesses a cheap option to protect their wireless networks.

The problem of securing wireless networks has been an issue for a while now. Wi-Fi LANs with no encryption or running the obsolete WEP system, run the risk of having hackers outside the building eavesdrop on wireless LAN traffic, or simply stealing bandwidth. However, there are a number of solutions, besides encryption, for companies wishing to secure their networks.

For example, Meru Networks said last year that it was using Wi-Fi signals to "cloak" wireless LANs and make it impossible for hackers to decipher them outside the office building. Other methods include putting energy-efficient windows in buildings, physically blocking radio signals or even turning a building or office into a 'Faraday Cage' using mesh metal. However these options tend to be expensive.

But now, according to a report in the New Scientist, paint can be used to secure high-speed wireless networks. This is nothing new though, as RF-blocking paints have been available for a number of years now. Indeed, EM-SEC Technologies successfully tested its own RF-blocking paint back in March 2007 to shield wireless devices and other electronic equipment within a building.

Related Content

But what the New Scientist is reporting is that existing technologies are becoming increasingly obsolete as companies are now using new, higher frequencies to send data. For example, the best wave absorbers commercially available today are only effective up to around 50GHz, whereas the latest wireless communications tend to use electromagnetic waves with a frequency of over 100GHz plus. The Japanese researchers say they now have a paint that can block the higher frequencies.

So how does this new blocking paint actually work? Well, electromagnetic (EM) waves can only be blocked when a material's magnetic field resonates at the same frequency as the wave. The New Scientist says that wave absorbers are usually made from iron-rich oxides, but higher-frequency transmissions outstrip the power of iron to absorb electromagnetic waves. This is because the standard oxide coating has a maximum resonance frequency that is outstripped at 48GHz.

But Shin-ichi Ohkoshi's team at the University of Tokyo in Japan has now identified a new aluminium-iron oxide able to block waves with a frequency almost four times higher. They used a sensitive magnetometer (a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field) to confirm that a powder of the new oxide can absorb EM waves of up to 182GHz at room temperature.

According to the researchers, the composition of the new material somehow distorts the bonds between iron and oxygen from their usual shape, which they believe explains the material's magnetic properties. They feel that further study, would lead to identifying new metal oxides that can absorb EM waves at even higher frequencies.

And it seems that the cost of this paint will not stretch IT budgets, as aluminium and iron are abundant materials and therefore the paint will be cheap to make.

"We collaborated with DOWA Electronics, a Japanese industrial company [to make a 100-kilogram sample order]," Ohkoshi is reported as saying. "The manufacturing cost is very cheap, around £10 ($14) per kg."

Link to article

Security Tools: Logitech Video Camera Security System

First Look Review

Security Tip: Attempted burglars caught on CCTV camera

Yes some thieves really are not that smart

Business and Security Tips: Wireless Security Cameras

Chris Prillo is answering the question are WiFi security cameras safe for home use?

Business Lessons – a few thoughts on Security

Was at a client today that has changed their policy regarding campus access. The problem is that no strategic thought was given with regards to many aspects of the new policy as such there exists many deficiencies. Let me state this clearly and concisely – no effective comprehensive security system can be designed without a threat assessment.

 

While I will not identify the client I will address some points of importance. When you design a security system understand its purpose is to effectively protect your assets from theft and hold people accountable for their actions. 

Many people think a system of protection is an effective deterrent – not true and that is truly not what it is intended to do. Rather a comprehensive system (which included policies and procedures) is intended to create a level of protection to ensure the assets of the company (people, tools, data, etc) remain in possession of the company and that access to facility is controlled. 

This can be done as follows:

• Performance of a comprehensive threat assesment
  
• Creation of a comprehensive written security policy
• Strategic placement of security cameras with DVR
  
• Controlled access to sensitive areas
  
• Controlled access to sensitive data
  
• Picture IDs for employees
  
• Picture IDs for vendors
  
• Annual revision of policy 
  

Sure many people may believe they can solve a problem on their own and in some cases it is true however at a commercial level a professionally designed comprehensive solution reduces the possibility of problems due to oversight and balances the factors of cost, protection and ease of use with intended need for protection while limiting potential for abuse or penetration be internal and external threats.

More High level basics about CCTV Cameras (Parts and Housing)

Ever wonder why most Security CCTV Cameras are placed in housing enclosures? 

Let me explain simply – Cameras are in fact electronic devices and while used for security nothing but cameras. So to protect the camera from dust and excessive humidity they are enclosed in housing. This housing protects the camera from excessive moisture, in the case of external housing from excessive cold (via built in fan and heater) and the main lenses from dust. Many normal enclosures are almost air tight and are extremely water resistant. There are some underwater enclosures that are air and water tight. 

The main parts of a camera are

• Power connection
  
• Lens
  
• Iris (auto or manual)
  
• Housing
  
• CCD element
  
• Connector (BNC/Cat cable/Wireless)
  

High level basics about CCTV Cameras

CCTV = Closed Circuit TV. In a CCTV security system one or more cameras are used to capture the moving image and send it to a splitter or multiplexer which in tern sends the picture to a VCR(s), DVR(s), or monitor(s). What is the difference between regular and CCTV – simple – CCTV is a closed system and regular is broadcast to the public. 

Because CCTV Is a closed system it is the reason many prefer using it for security and monitoring systems. 

Have you been in a major department store (Wal-Mart, etc) or a grocery store and seem those housing outside or those mirrored domes? What about driving down the street and seeing the camera housing mounting to a traffic signal or on the highway? How about in the ceiling behind your teller in the bank? 

CCTV cameras can be just black and white but most are capable of color in high light conditions and switch to Black and white. 

In simple terms the system works by converting the image seen to electrical impulses which are then sent (in the case of RG59 Coax) via the cable then converted back to recognizable images for display on a TV via the devices mentioned earlier. A moving image (motion) is created simply by taking pictures so rapidly their appears to be motion when in fact you are only looking at a series of pictures displayed in rapid succession.

What is an auto iris and how does it work?

Like the digital camera, security cameras use a cmos (Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) to capture and translate the image the camera sees to data which is translated back into am image that can be viewed on a monitor . An auto iris like the iris of your eye adjusts the light level to maintain a reasonable amount of brightness. The brighter the light the smaller the iris. There are two types of irises – auto (automatic) and manual. 

Manual irises are set to a single level of light while automatic use sensors to adjust exposure. 

Yes, even in technology the iris serves the same purpose and functions much the same as the human eye's iris.

Computer Security and Privacy

The Microsoft® Windows® operating system has security features such as administrator passwords and user passwords that let you control access to your computer and the information stored on your computer.

Administrator Rights

An administrator can make system-wide changes to the computer, change security settings, install software, and access all files on the computer. A person with a computer administrator account has full access to other user accounts on the computer.

User Groups

As an administrator, you can restrict a user’s access to your computer by changing that user’s group to a restricted user group.

A user who is part of the restricted user group can operate the computer and save documents, but cannot install programs or change system settings.

Passwords

Anyone can log on to your computer and access your files unless it is protected by a password. If you are logged on to your computer as an administrator, you can create a password for any user account.

Passwords can be used to protect your computer in a variety of ways and levels of protection. You can apply passwords to files, as well as to your computer. Passwords with at least a 10-character combination that includes alphabetic, numeric, and special characters adds a level of security to your computer.

Using Secure Passwords

A secure password is an important way to protect your computer from unauthorized users who may install malicious software or access confidential files from your computer. The stronger your password, the more likely it will prevent your computer from attacks.

A strong password:

• Contains both uppercase and lowercase letters
• Contains a combination of numbers, words, and/or symbols
• Is changed on a regular basis

Using a Firewall to Secure Your Computer

Use a firewall to secure your computer from non-authorized users (hackers) or from malicious programs, such as viruses or worms. Firewalls also help to prevent your computer from spreading malicious programs to other computers.

Turning On Windows Firewall

For Windows Vista®

1) Click Start - Control Panel - Security - Windows Firewall.

For Windows® XP

Click Start - Control Panel - Security Center - Windows Firewall.

1) Turn the Windows Firewall on or off. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2) Click On (recommended), and then click OK.

PCs with biometrics or other security features

Smart Cards

NOTE: The smart card feature may not be available on your computer. Smart cards are laptop credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone. There are two main types of Smart Cards:

• Contact Smart Cards — These cards have a contact area with many gold plated connection pads. When inserted into a card reader, the information from the chip can be read and written.
• Contactless Smart Cards — These cards do not require any physical contact with the reader. The chip communicates with the card reader through RFID induction technology. These cards require only close proximity to an antenna of a card reader to complete transaction.

Fingerprint Readers

NOTE: The fingerprint reader may not be available on your computer.

A fingerprint reader is a peripheral device for your computer with a strip sensor. When you slide your finger over the reader, the reader uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity and helps keep your Dell computer secure.

Facial Recognition Software

NOTE: The facial recognition software may not be available on your computer.

Using a digital image from the camera in your computer, the facial recognition software can identify or verify your face. This is done by comparing select facial features from the image and a facial database. On verification of your identity, the software allows you to access your computer without entering the password.

Note: Biometrics - study of methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits.

What to look for in a good security consultant

You want someone with a healthy level of dysfunction and paranoia. In normal society these character traits are not desirable, but in a person or company you are sourcing to protect your physical or intellectual property these are exactly the traits you want.

You would be better served by a person or company who wonders:

• What way are they trying to get over now
• How can I prevent this from being taken without seen
• What are the blind spots
• Can I place something here to monitor that is inconspicuous
• What area of coverage does this allow me
• How do I prevent people from tampering with either the feed or recorded information
• What about if there is a power outage
• How much is the loss of this costing in increased expenses
• How can I catch a lying or dishonest person
• What can I do to allow a dishonest person enough latitude to hang themselves

Bottom line you want a person or a company whose attitude is that of an auditor – I trust every word you say and because you are honest you do not mind if I verify and compare your words and actions to ensure alignment. Next time you retain a security professional just remember a person who trusts all people are people of their word and honest while they may do a fair job you would be better served by the personally referenced above.

That is not to saw an auditor like attitude means a person will be impersonal – far from it, just thorough.