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Internal Homeland Security documents describing specifications for border-crossing scanners, which emit gamma or X-ray radiation to probe vehicles and their occupants, are raising new health and privacy concerns, CNET has learned.

Even though a public outcry has prompted Homeland Security to move away from adding X-ray machines to airports--it purchased 300 body scanners last year that used alternative technology instead--it appears to be embracing them at U.S.-Mexico land border crossings as an efficient way to detect drugs, currency, and explosives.

A 63-page set of specifications (PDF), heavily redacted, obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center through the Freedom … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Years late to the game, Epson enters the portable document-scanning market with the WorkForce DS-30, a mobile workstation that lets users hit one button to scan originals directly to Web-based cloud services like Google Docs, Evernote, and SharePoint.

As more professionals take their desks on the road, mobile workstations are increasingly in need of portable scanners like the DS-30 that draw power from a laptop's USB port, meaning users don't need to lug around another bulky power cord.

In terms of design, the DS-30 isn't winning any beauty contests and certainly doesn't sound as adorable as the similarly featured Doxie Go, but it weighs just 11.5 ounces and looks easy enough to slip in a bag or briefcase.… Read more

Though it's not the first as its press release claims, the Xerox Mobile Scanner is a nifty little battery-powered model that uses a 4GB Eye-Fi SD card to connect to Wi-Fi networks for uploading scanned images to mobile devices.

LAS VEGAS--In a bit of a bizarre move, Xerox announced its Xerox Mobile Scanner as the first battery-operated, Wi-Fi-connected scanner. Except Xerox owns Visioneer, which announced the first battery-operated, Wi-Fi connected scanner back in October. They both operate via a bundled Eye-Fi card for the wireless connection, though the hardware looks different. The Visioneer Mobility Air is also cheaper, $199 … Read more

Cloud computing isn't exactly a new concept in security software; online virus scanners have been around for years, and even regular antivirus definition updates draw on the power of collective input. But a growing number of tools are moving out of your PC and into the cloud, including Comodo's Internet Security and System Cleaner apps, at least in the form of Comodo Cloud Scanner. It bundles the processes of these two tools in one interface, but it doesn't use your machine to run them. Instead, Comodo's servers scan your PC in real time to identify a … Read more

Update: Sorry to say that this deal is invalid. Apparently Epson never meant for this promo code to be released to the general public. My apologies for the confusion.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you wait for the Cheapskate newsletter to arrive in your inbox, it may be too late: the deal of the day might be over or sold out. I know this can be frustrating, but it's beyond my control. As always, your best bet is to visit the site in the morning, typically around 9-10 a.m. ET.

I mention that … Read more

This week's post is a special early edition of my weekly iOS app collection. Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, and though I can't help you beat the lines or navigate through the crowds, I've rounded up a few apps that might make your holiday shopping a tiny bit easier.

These apps are made for price-checking on the go, so you know you're getting the lowest price for the item in front of you. The best apps in this category are the ones that locate the item online and in nearby stores, but even apps that are only strong at scanning will definitely help to organize your holiday shopping and will hopefully result in fewer Black Friday headaches.

This week's iOS app collection is all about tools for holiday shopping. Get quick access to a huge database of products and prices and some helpful shopping tools.… Read more

For $200, the Epson WorkForce 845 isn't meant for light-duty use; such would be a waste of its features.

On top of the standard printing, scanning, faxing, and copying you get with most all-in-one machines, this guy also packs in an 8-inch touch-screen control panel and two adjustable input trays that can hold up to 500 total sheets of paper (photo or otherwise), and you can connect it to a computer via USB or a wireless network.

You'll get the most use out of that last function, because it means you'll also be able to use Epson's e-mail print feature. Each WorkForce 845 has a unique e-mail address, so when you're away from the printer you can just attach a document to a message and send it off to that e-mail address, and it'll be waiting for you in the printer.

It works for office-friendly documents like presentations, Web sites, and spreadsheets, but don't take the "WorkForce" name too seriously--it's just as good for family members who want to send quick photos to Grandma, and you can use any device with an Internet connection to send print jobs.

None of those features would prove useful without the printing horsepower to back it up, and the WorkForce 845 certainly performed well in our speed and quality tests. No surprise there, as it's powered by the same print engine as the Editors' Choice Award-winning Epson WorkForce 840.

The WorkForce 845 topped the competition in three out of the four print speed tests we put it through, and we'd put its print quality up against any of the other devices on our Best 5 Printers list.

Still unconvinced? Check out our full review of the Epson WorkForce 845.… Read more

The bottom line: An aggressive redesign aimed at making its best-known suite more accessible than before, Avira Free Antivirus 12 combines fast scans with above-average protection for a solid security combo.

Review: Free antivirus maker Avira debuts a laundry list of changes in its latest major update, basically repositioning the suite to remain competitive in the face of tougher competition from other free security suites and a renewed emphasis on performance from paid competitors. From the new breezy installation to the modernized interface and reputable security, the suite has a lot going for it.

However, it notably lacks some features … Read more

The bottom line: Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 makes a convincing pitch as an easy Windows security option. It's got an enormous selection of features, but the best one means you'll never see another security notification again unless you get infected. And the price is competitive, striking a good balance between value-added features and cost.

Review: Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 presents a convincing alternative to its better-known competitors. It's a strong program, with all the major tools that users expect, and some additional useful tricks in its arsenal. When it comes to efficacy, Bitdefender isn't the best … Read more