Password Management from a USB

Image via Wikipedia

Yesterday during a conversation about the web site development I was asked about a password management product where all your passwords are stored on a USB thumb drive.  Apparently a few companies are making the USB drives with fingerprint readers as well.  This is an interesting question because like many, I have my own theories on the storage of passwords, and even on passwords and security in general.  And you will forgive me for not committing them to pixels in this post.

Because I work in the security industry, I'm very conscious of the importance of passwords and their security.  I tend to move away from systems that mass store them in one place.  On the other hand, my years in the IT industry has left me with a lot of passwords and a number of methods for remembering and creating them.  But that was my job, today everyone who has or wants an online/web 2.0 presence is probably in the same boat, so I can see the viability of the above technology for password management.

I though I might investigate a couple of ways of managing passwords, and see what is available and what works.

USB Key/Drive

The question above was asked about a USB Drive, with fingerprint access, so I'll start my quest here.  I'm not a big fan of fingerprint readers, biometrics in the movies is cool but in the real security world, biometrics is a gimmick that creates problems when used on a large or small scale.

For those not familiar, a fingerprint scanner allows you to use your thumb or forefinger as a password on a device.  A number of laptops are coming out with them as a way to lock the machine and screen.  Most of the scanners I have seen are a swipe, or a press on a special area.

The main problems with this tech are:
- If there is any residue, oil, impression, or dust left by the last use of the reader, it can effect the next attempt, causing failure.

- To get around the above, the sensitivity is turned down, and anyone can get in.

- Of course, you can always it the way they do in the movies, as long as you get  the right finger and remember to put it on ice.

If the above doesn't deter you, and you don't lose things, then a USB Password Management system may be the go for you.  Although, I did have trouble finding many name brand fingerprint protected USB Drives, so you may be waiting some time to get your hands on one.  Sony do a Microvault 128MB with Fingerprint security but I couldn't find any Australian pricing, I'll have to do the retail rounds and see what turns up.

Another option might be to use a normal USB Thumb drive, as they are cheaper,  and software like RoboForm2Go USB Key or Handy Password.  These guys look like they throw in the steak knives as well, also grabbing personal info like addresses, bookmarks and passwords so the details can be carried around with you from home to work.

You can also use the above software stand-alone to manage your passwords, and there is the open source KeePass if you need a nice simple freebie.  If you are a Mac user then I would say that 1Password would be the program of choice, there isn't much you can't do with 1Password, including porting the info to your iPhone, because we all have an iPhone, don't we?

Although not my thing, password management seems to be a growing tech, so I'm sure there is going to be more to come.  We may find ourselves squinting into our laptops or mobile phone cameras soon just to turn off the keylock.

Tip: If you are battling with passwords, instead of just using one password for everything, try this:  Come up with a 4 or 6 digit number (eg. 1326), then using your initials create your password uniquely by adding a word from the website or program the login is for.

For Example:

1. Facebook login password = jBrface1326
2. Gmail login password = jBrmail1326
3. Bank Account password = jBrbank1326

Play with the formula as you wish, but if all your passwords have 3 parts and you know 2 of the parts and the 3rd is related to the place you're trying the login into, it is a bit easier than remembering a hexadecimal password, and better than your pets name.

Jason Remnant

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UMPC of Choice

Image by Maverick Dal via Flickr

I am a technology whore.  There, I have said it, I want an iPhone, I want new Mac, and I want the new version of Ubuntu.  I probably don't need any of the above (although I could use a new desktop), but of all the new trends in the tech gadget world, the Mini mobile notebook is one that I could use.  Why?  Well, because I live on the net, I get all my news on the net, I communicate over the net, and do a lot of work over the net.  So a device that lets me do that without the overheads of weight, size and cords is my new cool device of choice.

Mobile devices are not new, in the old days a couple of the top manufacturers produced ultra mobile devices but the timing and the price were wrong, especially the price.  Asus may have just been testing the waters with the first Eee PC, but their timing was right, and delivering a geek gadget at a reasonable price gave more people the opportunity to find a use for it.

These ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) hit that sweet spot between the cell phone and the laptop.  Because the cloud is so much more important to me today, I find myself trying to live on my phone, but needing more.  I brought a cool laptop that would replace the need for a desktop, but find that it is either not portable enough or too important to head out with.  This weekend is a perfect example, I'll be heading out to a Fly Fishing Course on the river.  I don't need the computing power of the Laptop, but I wanted to spend some time writing, the old Imate Jasjam could do it, but really.....

So it looks like I need to look at the Eee PC, or maybe a MSI Wind or maybe....  What Asus started with the Eee PC looks to be finished by just about everyone else.  I though I might put down some details on the main contenders and see if anyone has any ideas.

Choices are:

Asus Eee PC 901, 1000

MSI Wind

Medion Akoya E1210

Acer Aspire One

Dell E

Thanks to umpcportal.com for the specs and pricing.

Now as much as I'd love to pick one of these up, there is a slight problem with actually getting one.  I have seen a couple of the MSI Wind's on Ebay and we are starting to see some of the Asus models filter into retail here in Australia, but as with most new toys, the pricing is a little "early adopter".

The Dell E interests me, 'cause I like Dell but there is only a blog post on the US site and nothing on the AU site, so more waiting for me.  The Acer Aspire One was launched at the start of the month so I'll need to do some looking around to find one in the wild.

Jason Remnant

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When in doubt, TBL Apps list.

Image by trekkyandy via Flickr

I have a hugely busy weekend coming up which will be dragging me away from the keyboard, and away from me making a normal insightful post.

So just quickly, I wanted to share how much of a App fetishist I am by listing a few of the Apps I've downloaded and started to play with this week.  I already have a couple of lists of interesting Apps on the site but I thought I might put up some of the current programs I'm playing with.  Then y'all can have a play and perhaps suggest other interesting Apps, and then we could, like, totally have a Oprah App Club thing going.   Ok, dodgy American accent aside,  that may be going a little far, but I like to play with new toys, and one easy and affordable way to do that is with Apps.

I also play with lots of Apps hoping that I will find the gem that will go on to be a part of the chosen few that make my computing life more better.  If only I could find a good grammar App......

Downloaded and installed this week:

AppZapper (MAC)

Desktoptopia (MAC, Windows)

DeskLickr (MAC)

TweetDeck (AIR)


Sorry if they're a little MAC heavy, but I haven't had a lot of time on anything else of late.  I'll let you know if I stick with any of them on the next Apps list, and if you have alternatives send them through.

Jason Remnant

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Little known insider info...

Image via Wikipedia

I have some friends in the telecommunications industry, yes, I know it's hard to think of me having friends, but just look at it as hope for my geek brethren.   As I was saying, I chased up my friends on the inside trying to get the goss on the iPhone launch for Telstra.  Well, I even offered chocolate but no dice, this could mean two things, 1) There is no news regarding the iPhone launch for Telstra or, 2) I need to get some new friends, ones who are easier to bribe with chocolate.

It wasn't all a loss though as they sent me this link:

http://www.qrious.com.au/main.html

I got this a few days ago, and due to being a little busy I didn't get to post about it.  There was this cool countdown thing and it was all mysterious, but there wasn't much actual information.  I did fire out the link on Twitter in the hope that a new friend may have some insight, which got me this link this morning:

www.qmcodes.com

In the tech world we see a lot of crazy ideas, and most of the those ideas stay crazy.  If you are a fan of the TWIT Network you may have heard the discussion about adding a barcode reader on the iPhone.  The idea was that you would be able to walk into the store and using a app on the iPhone from, say, Amazon, scan the barcode of the item you want and purchase the item online and have it sent to your home.  But this isn't it, I think.

Although this Telstra service will probably turn into another of their gimmicky services that goes nowhere, I have to give them points for trying.  And maybe it is the start of something useful, maybe Myer or Big W will pick up on it and we will be able to walk in, make a wish list by taking pictures of the Qmcodes with our phones, and order the items online after we have checked that the item will fit, plug in, or is approved by the significant other.

It looks like only a couple of phones will be able to work with Telstra's version of Qmcodes, although we may be able to download the software from qmcodes.com.  That being said, I'll be waiting till there is more to do than just checking out old Bond clips.

Jason Remnant

Caution iPhone Unloading zone

Image via Wikipedia

You may have noticed that there is a little hype regarding the release of the new iPhone next month.  This hype is a heightened for us lucky Australians as it will be the first iPhone for us, so we can pretend it is "The Beginning".  We will get the chance to drink from the chalice of popularity and coolness, legally.  Yes, soon we too will be hemmed down and shackled to the big Apple like the lucky Americans and some Europeans, except for our freedom-loving Chinese, who get their iPhone, and get to eat it too.

I'm not going to pretend that I'm not affected by the allure of having a beautiful piece of electronics, just like millions of others.  I'm on the list and will be checking the iPhone out on release like everyone else, but will I buy one on release?  Probably not.

I don't know what sort of craziness will happen when I get to gaze upon perfection.  I have been known to do silly things on impulse, especially if there is computers involved.  In this case though I hope that my electronics buying "spidey senses" will kick in and I'll remember that this iPhone is a new iPhone.

What do I mean?  Well, the first iPhone may be a year old and have the odd million out in the marketplace, but the New iPhone is kinda New, with a New radio (G3), New GPS, New Sync software, New Carriers, and New battery.  Looks to me like the only thing tried and tested is the hype surrounding the launch.

The original iPhone had reception problems in its early days, and don't forget the missing features in the software (MMS, cut & paste).  And like any mobile Phone, there were the odd failures of the hardware.  If we were getting the original iPhone I would be first in line, as the hardware and software are proven.   I'm going to try and wait with the New iPhone as apart from the new hardware, I'm interested in what the new software store will bring to the platform as well.

There are some big promises with the iPhone, but at the end of the day, it is just a mobile phone made in China like all the rest.  As much as I believe in the Apple, sorry, Steve Job's vision, and love and use their products, I'm not blind to the hype and the limitations.   Wait and watch, and make sure that you are getting the right iPhone that will save your soul.....


Jason Remnant