security

Air travel is starting to rank right up there with periodontal appointments and trips to the DMV. First it was the shoes, then the liquids--now, we have to worry about RFID spies stealing our passport data too.

That's where Paraben comes in. The forensics company has developed something called the Passport StrongHold, which is designed to shield your visa information from unauthorized eyes. The product is disarmingly simple: It's basically a nylon bag made with nickel, copper and silver that envelopes a passport to keep RFID signals from going awry.

TG Daily tested the bag recently and found … Read more

With another Bond movie fast approaching, the timing for this item seems propitious. A biometrics company called Sequiam is marketing a battery-powered deadbolt lock that can is activated only with the swipe of an authorized fingerprint.

Perhaps most remarkable is not the technology but its price: $249, a fraction of what one would expect to pay for a product of Ian Fleming's imagination. Homeowners may also appreciate the nondescript appearance of the system, which uses a Black and Decker lock that would be inconspicuous on any front door. Now if only we could get our hands on a Cone of Silence … Read more

You've read the reports: Someone steals a laptop loaded with personal data. Maybe you've even received a letter explaining that your records were on a stolen piece of computer equipment. Attribute it to media hype if you want, but protecting data on ever-more-mobile hardware has to be a concern to businesses and their clients.

And this is why Lenovo announced plans to load select ThinkPads with software that works in conjunction with the laptop's fingerprint reader to encrypt the data on the hard drive. According to the company, the software meets encryption standards for U.S. government … Read more

Beware: Your new iPod may have shipped carrying the RavMonE virus.

Apple has released info on its Web site that describes the discovery of a Windows-based virus, traced back to its contract manufacturer. Fewer than 1 percent of iPods with video (5.5G) sold after the September 12 launch could be carrying the worm, which can affect only Windows machines. Neither the new iPod Nano nor the iPod Shuffle (not yet released) are affected.

In addition to an apology, Apple has posted a tutorial on how to get rid of the virus. The statement adds: "Because this Windows virus … Read more

Most people have enjoyed the benefits of wireless technology at one time or another. Cordless phones, mobile phones, and wireless-enabled laptops all operate on the principle that the fewer cords, the better. Convenient as wireless networks are to use, they can also be easy to hack if you don't have the proper security.

Sadly, most wireless hookups are vulnerable straight out of the box, and still may not be safe even when you activate the default security features. However, with some insight into wireless technology and a few useful tips, you can block out most malicious network piggybackers.… Read more

No one likes a slow computer, especially when a PC feels sluggish performing regular activities such as Web surfing, opening programs, or even starting up. If your system seems as if it's swimming through molasses, don't buy a new computer just yet.

The main reason for overall system sluggishness is spyware. It's that simple. You can find 10 good spyware solutions here. The second-biggest culprit is a lack of routine maintenance. Unused programs, old cache and temp files, and extraneous Registry entries will clog your system over time. Spring is finally kicking into high gear, and it'… Read more