Tuesday, December 13, 2005

This text will self-destruct in 40 seconds - Mobile & Wireless A service offering Mission Impossible-style text messages that "self-destruct" after they have been read has been launched. Staellium UK said that its StealthText service will allow business executives dealing in sensitive information to send texts which will delete themselves from the recipient's mobile phone as soon as the person has read them. Once a message has been sent, the recipient receives a text notification showing the sender's name and providing a link to the message. Once opened, the message will disappear after about 40 seconds. Staellium said it has already had interest from financial services companies, the Ministry of Defence and celebrity agents. "The ability to send a self-destruct message has massive benefits for people from all walks of life, from everyday mobile users, through to celebrities and business people, but this is just the start," said Staellium CEO Carole Barnum in a statement. "In spring 2006 we will be launching new services such as self-destruct email, voice and picture messages, so ultimately no one will ever have to worry about their messages or pictures ending up in the wrong hands ever again," she added. Editor:  That last sentence sounds like a bit of overhype to me. I presume this only works if the client is following the rules and is not a rouge. 1:03:57 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

This Text Message Will Self Destruct. This Text Message Will Self Destruct. mwilliamson writes "Silicon.com is reporting that Staellium UK (cell provider) has created a protocol in which text messages disappear after 40 seconds. This, of course, relies on the implementation of the protocol in the device used to display the message. They're touting a future roll out for photos as well, and service in the US."  [Slashdot] 12:31:44 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Security breach at Sam's Club exposes credit card data. Security breach at Sam's Club exposes credit card data. Officials at Sam's Club are investigating a security breach that has exposed credit card data belonging to an unspecified number of customers [Computerworld Privacy News] 12:18:01 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

The Daily Princetonian - Students lobby for Internet privacy A trio of graduate students is alleging in a new web-based petition that students who surf websites, connect to peer-to-peer networks or access online services from their dorm rooms are unwittingly leaving behind a wealth of personal information. The students' website, www.princetonprivacy.org, illustrates a property of Dormnet -- the service that provides Internet access to dorm rooms -- that allows website operators, both on and off campus, to uncover such personal information as email, dorm telephone and campus address. The petition has been signed by 75 students since its inception last week. One of the originators of the petition, computer science graduate student Alex Halderman '03, said he has known about this problem from when he was an undergraduate, three years ago. "It has been a well-known trick for years," he said, adding that students have been using IP addresses to find out who has been using their file shares or visiting their website from campus. Halderman said he contacted OIT about the problem but was told that it wasn't at "the top of their priority list." 12:14:52 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Securing laptop PCs for public Wi-Fi hot spots A California-based network security company said it has new technology that could enable government employees to work securely on laptop computers and other devices from public Wi-Fi hot spots or networks at home. Los Gatos-based Cranite Systems recently announced that its SafeConnect product would provide the first Layer 2 secure access solution for enterprise networks. The patent-pending technology would also allow remote users to access the same functions they use when working in an office, company officials said. They said the technology is significant because it could allow government employees to work securely with sensitive but unclassified information via public wireless hot spots. It could save organizations time and money because employees could work away from the office, they said. "This is providing a secure virtual network over an untrusted network," said John Vigouroux, chief executive officer of Cranite Systems, during an interview with Federal Computer Week last week. 12:12:21 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Disney tempts kids with cartoons for calories. Disney tempts kids with cartoons for calories. Wireless downloads for fat clients Fast food, DRM-laced kids cartoons and constant whinging. Yes, parents have a bright future to look forward to should Disney get its way with a US patent proposal. [The Register - Internet and Law: Digital Rights/Digital Wrongs] 12:08:44 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Hacker posts code to take control of computers running unpatched versions of Firefox browser. Attack Targets Mozilla. Hacker posts code to take control of computers running unpatched versions of Firefox browser. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] 12:06:37 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []