protect

Obfuscate keylogging

If you're worried about surreptitious key-logging software recording your every keystroke, Keystroke Interference could be the handy security utility you've been looking for. Instead of trying to detect or disable keyloggers, it interferes with what they record as your keystrokes, inserting a random sequence of additional characters based on a proprietary algorithm.

Keystroke Interference has no interface, and is visible only as an icon in your system tray and Start menu. To get it to run at start-up, you must manually place it in your Startup folder. It also offers no configurable options. However, we didn't notice … Read more

Sophisticated monitoring program

OM Spy is a powerful program that records all aspects of computer usage. Much more than just a keylogger, the program delivers comprehensive information about computer use in a variety of formats.

The program's interface is simple and intuitive. Users need only set a key combination and password in order to access the program later, click Start Monitoring, and OM Spy does the rest. Accessing the information that the program gathers is easy, and the data is almost creepily detailed. Users can view keystrokes, Web sites, and screenshots taken every 30 seconds. All of the data is time-stamped, providing … Read more

CEOs, other execs disagree on security

CEOs and their senior executives don't see eye to eye on key security issues, according to a new survey.

Many CEOs don't consider their own companies vulnerable to security attacks and are confident in their ability to combat those attacks, says a survey released Wednesday. However, those findings contrast with the opinions of senior executives who report to the CEO. They see their companies as more vulnerable and are not confident they can stop data theft. The survey was sponsored by security company Ounce Labs and conducted by security researcher Ponemon Institute.

The survey sought to determine how … Read more

Don't text while walking? Girl learns the hard way

We've seen stories on the dangers of DWT (driving while texting). But are we now facing the growing problem of WWT (walking while texting)?

Alexa Longueira,a 15-year-old from Staten Island, learned a painful lesson about the hazards of texting recently. While intent on text messaging as she walked on a sidewalk along the New York borough's Victory Boulevard, she stepped right into an open manhole, sending her several feet into the raw sewage below.

Suffering some cuts and bruises, Longueira was checked out at Staten Island University Hospital and released.

The manhole had been left open briefly … Read more

Top Kindle 2 covers and accessories

Updated July 7, 2009.

While the Kindle--and now the Kindle 2--haven't created the huge accessories market that Apple's iPod and iPhone have, there's a small cottage industry of Kindle accessories forming. Here's a quick look at some of the top cases and accessories. In the comments section, feel free to suggest any products you think we missed. We'll add to the list as new accessories come out.

Slideshow (click any product image to begin):

1. Amazon Kindle 2 Leather Cover ($29.99)

2. Belkin Neoprene Sleeve Case for Amazon Kindle 2 ($24.99)

3. … Read more

Chrome debuts new Corsair and Vega commuter bags

Chrome started with a couple of guys in Boulder, Colo., who set out to built a bag that could stand a lifetime of daily abuse. Eight years later, the operation is now based out to San Francisco, where Chrome bags have become the staple of bike messengers, students, and packrats alike. Today, Chrome also announced its sojourn into the techie commuter market with the release of two stripped-down, laptop-friendly bags: the Vega and Corsair.

The Vega draws inspiration from the classic "musette" bags used to feed cyclists in the middle of a big race. Since weight is everything to these pros, the bags have to be minimalist and utilitarian, and the Vega is no different. It's light, tough, and can easily fit up to a 15-inch laptop.

It's important to stress the tough material used in the build: 1,000 denier Cordura material, a heavyweight nylon with a urethane coating to protect from water, abrasian, and grime. Make no mistake about it: these are some of the toughest bags you can get.… Read more

Fragment Design keeps your photo equipment under wraps

Fashion trendsetter Hiroshi Fujiwara and his company Fragment Design are typically known for releasing limited-edition fashion collaborations, but lately it seems like the company is looking more frequently at tech accessories.

Case in point: back in April 2009, Fragment teamed up with Incase for the second round of an exclusive iPhone case. Well, it must have done well, because HighSnobiety got an exclusive look at the latest venture, a soft wrap for photo equipment and other tech accessories.

According to HighSnobiety, the wrap is made of a soft, thick material that simply folds over to protect your technical equipment from damage on-the-go. Conveniently, the wrap only comes in one size, with the added benefit of universal fit for your most delicate gadgets.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but it sort of looks like RoadWired R.A.P.S.! Advanced Protection System Wraps designed to swathe phones, cameras, or whatever else in a big neoprene blanket. The Fragment Design Soft Wrap will be available soon, although no prices have been announced.

More pics after the jump.… Read more

McAfee's new family shield

Updated June 5 at 3:48 p.m. Pacific Time: Users can now download the trial of McAfee Family Protection.

Correction: The 30-day trial for McAfee Family Protection is not yet available for users. I will update this post when it does become available.

On the heels of Symantec's OnlineFamily.Norton, released earlier this year, security stalwart McAfee is jumping into the family protection game with a new home-oriented protection program. Called McAfee Family Protection, the program will offer many familiar tools to parents in the hopes of fostering conversation while protecting children from harm.

McAfee Family Protection will … Read more

Podcast: Could expanding privacy law harm children?

A new report from the Progress & Freedom Foundation says that officials in some states want to pass legislation that would extend the Children Online Privacy Protection Act ( COPPA) from covering children under 13 to covering teens until they're 18.

COPPA, which became law in 1998, requires verifiable parental consent before a child under 13 can provide personally identifiable information to a Web site that caters to children. Expanding the law to cover teens till they're 18, according to the report, would "require Web sites to obtain more information about both minors and their parents, which runs … Read more