The two major consumer brands affected by this vulnerability are Microsoft and Logitec. In fact Microsoft’s Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 and Wireless Optical Desktop 2000 products are specifically mentioned as being vulnerable. It’s also assumed that other 27Mhz products such as the Wireless Optical Desktop 3000, 4000 and the Laser Desktop series are open to attack in a similar way.
Due to the widespread use of these wireless devices, the huge security implications and the fact that there is no quick fix for this design flaw; Dreamlab have decided not to release a public proof of concept. Despite this I’m sure it won’t be long until code is readily available online. Dreamlab have released a video of an attack in progress.
It’s quite worrying
to see just how easy
it is to sniff and
extract keystrokes
from these
‘consumer’ grade
devices with no need
for dongles, trojans
or specialist
equipment. The
27Mhz keyboards only
use 8bit encryption
which can be cracked
relatively quickly
with quite
modest hardware.
From what I can tell
all that’s required
is a 27Mhz capable
receiver, a sound
card and a
computer. The range
will obviously be
dictated by the
receiver and its
antenna.
What
is Boxbe? Boxbe is “e-mail by invitation,”
where you can manage the messages that you
receive in your inbox. You can allow certain
senders permission from the get-go, but
other people have to jump through an
encryption loop before their message gets
through. In a nutshell, that means you won’t
have to worry about junk mail getting
through spam filters or worry about
legitimate mail getting filtered out as
junk.
So,
the kids have been hounding you for a new phone? They want a
new handset for text messaging, e-mail, and Web browsing—and
not just some old flip phone, right? Odds are you're a bit
apprehensive about dropping several hundred bucks on a
flashy PDA. The Palm Centro for Sprint is the perfect
compromise. The $99 U.S. smartphone is basically a starter
handset geared to teens and young adults who crave text
messaging and e-mail like so much Christmas candy.
The
Canon PowerShot G9, following last year's
PowerShot G7 model, is visually very similar
to its predecessor -- the only obvious
changes being a re-profiling of the handgrip
and rear panel. Under the skin, the Canon G9
offers a CCD sensor resolution of twelve
megapixels (up from ten in the G7), coupled
to the same Canon-branded 35-210mm
equivalent 6x optical zoom lens.
The
Canon 40D
was
announced by
Canon on
August 20,
2007 as the
replacement
for the
Canon 30D,
which can
now be had
for quite a
bargain. The
40D is a
10.1 MP
“prosumer”
DSLR,
slotted
between the
Canon Rebel
XTi (aka
400D) and
the Canon
5D. In
addition to
the sensor
upgrade
(from 8.2 MP
on the 30D),
some of the
highlighted
features of
the 40D
include:
While
testing the Bluetooth transmission range
of the FreePulse headphones around the
gym and at home, I was able to put about
25 to 30 feet between the headphones and
the transmitter before hearing any audio
dropouts. Battery life held up to its
claim of around 7 hours and recharging
was quick and easy.
