Hasta La Gadget!

Scientists build WiFi hunter-killer drone and call it SkyNET… Viene Tormenta! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You’re certainly not alone if you think that the current airport security process is far from ideal. AOptix hopes to streamline and speed up security procedures by replacing manual boarding pass and ID checks with a biometric kiosk called e-Gate. The new system, which verifies passenger identities by matching an iris scan with a boarding pass, just received (IATA) approval, and is currently being tested in three airports around the world. It’s not as slick as a similar concept we saw earlier this summer, but e-Gate could be implemented with a trusted traveler program, creating special lanes for pre-approved frequent fliers — similar to the US Customs Global Entry system in place today. We don’t see it replacing X-ray machines and check-in interviews, but it could remove human error from the equation — at least when it comes to verifying your identity. Jump past the break for the full scoop from AOptix, or you can check out the system for yourself at the Future Travel Experience in Vancouver.

Update: e-Gate is in fact a potential component of Checkpoint of the Future, which we saw conceptualized in June.

Continue reading AOptix e-Gate could improve global airport security, replace ID checks with iris scans

AOptix e-Gate could improve global airport security, replace ID checks with iris scans originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony spent a fair bit of time at last week’s IFA press conference assuring the press and consumers that it’s doing its darnedest to stay on top of the security issues that have plagued it over the past year. It’s hard to imagine a move more representative of such a stance than the hiring of a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security official. The company announced today that it has done just that, scooping of former U.S. National Cyber Security Center director Philip Reitinger for a senior vice president position. And in case there was any question as to the reasoning behind the decision, a Sony spokesperson addressed the issue, stating, “certainly the network issue was a catalyst for the appointment.” Fair enough, Sony.

Sony nabs former U.S. Department of Homeland Security official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android malware jumped 76 percent since last quarter. Image credit McAfee

According to a report by antivirus software maker McAfee, Android is now the “most attacked mobile operating system,” with a jump in malware attacks of 76 percent in the last quarter. This impressive win is even more so when you consider that Android “outpaces second place Java ME threefold”.

While we are normally skeptical of scary announcements from anti-malware companies, this is McAfee’s regular quarterly report outlining the state of general security, so the numbers are probably good.

Interestingly, you’ll see that iOS doesn’t appear on the above chart at all. It seems like Android’s “open” nature is indeed open, in that anyone can put any software, including malware, on your phone. John Gruber of Daring Fireball sums it up thusly: “Remember the old argument about Apple platforms not getting malware only because they weren’t popular enough to attract attention?”

So what’s the solution? Crapware! Over at PC Pro, Mike Jennings got a new Android phone to play with.

On Friday, I eased the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro from its box, turned it on, and was greeted with a message urging me to set up McAfee WaveSecure before I’d even set up the phone with my Google account.

While this scary first experience might help to make Windows users feel at home, there’s no way we should have to deal with this kind of crap on our mobile devices, especially as we have a lot more personal information on there than we do on our computers. It certainly makes a powerful argument for Apple’s conservative, controlled approach.

McAfee Q2 2011 Threats Report Shows Significant Growth for Malware on Mobile Platforms [McAfee]

Malware slams Android, but not iOS [The Loop]

See Also:

• Android Malware Found in Angry Birds Add-On Apps
• Malware Sneaks Into Android Market
• Android Malware Surfaces in Chinese App Markets
• Android App No Malware, Says Google

[Thanks Nan]

Continue reading Quantum entanglement could mean completely secure data transfer

Quantum entanglement could mean completely secure data transfer originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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