Stephen Colbert Computer Security Tips
Stephen Colbert on protecting your computer: Part 1 and Part 2.
Entries Tagged "videos"
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University Crypto Class Materials Available Online
You can audit “Welcome to Practical Aspects of Modern Cryptography.” It was taught at the University of Washington, Winter 2006, by Josh Benaloh, Brian LaMacchia, and John Manderdelli. The course materials and videos of the lectures are online.
Graffiti on Air Force One?
Here’s a video of a bunch of graffiti artists breaching security at Andrew’s Air Force Base, and tagging an Air Force One plane.
I know there are multiple planes—four, I think—and that they are in different states of active service at any one time. And, presumably, the different planes have different security levels depending on their status. Still, part of me thinks this is a hoax.
One, this is the sort of stunt that can get you shot at. And two, posting a video of this can get you arrested.
Anyone know anything about this?
EDITED TO ADD (4/21): It’s a hoax.
Social Engineering a Police Officer
Really nice social engineering example. Note his repeated efforts to ensure that if he’s stopped again, he can rely on the cop to vouch for him.
Smooth-talking escapee evades police
Woe is Carl Bordelon, a police officer for the town of Ball, La. His dashboard camera captured (below) his questioning of Richard Lee McNair, 47, on Wednesday. Earlier that same day, McNair had escaped from a federal penitentiary at nearby Pollock, La., reportedly hiding in a prison warehouse and sneaking out in a mail van. Bordelon, on the lookout, stopped McNair when he saw him running along some railroad tracks. What follows is a chillingly fascinating performance from McNair, who manages to remain fairly smooth and matter-of-fact while tripping up Bordelon. The officer notices that the guy matches the description of McNair—who was serving a life sentence for killing a trucker at a grain elevator in Minot, N.D., in 1987—observes that he looked like he’d “been through a briar patch” and had to wonder why he would choose appalling heat (at least according to that temperature gauge in the police car) to go running, without any identification, on a dubious 12-mile run. But he doesn’t notice when McNair changes his story—he gives two different names (listen for it)—and eventually, Bordelon bids him farewell, saying: “Be careful, buddy.” McNair remains on the loose. (Note: Video is more than eight minutes long but worth it.)
A Comment on the UK National ID Card Program
An amusing Flash animation featuring a musical opinion of Clarke’s proposed UK national ID card.
Blowfish on "24"
Two nights ago, my encryption algorithm Blowfish was mentioned on the Fox show “24.” An alleged computer expert from the fictional anti-terror agency CTU was trying to retrieve some files from a terrorist’s laptop. This is the exchange between the agent and the terrorist’s girlfriend:
They used Blowfish algorithm.
How can you tell?
By the tab on the file headers.
Can you decrypt it?
CTU has a proprietary algorithm. It shouldn’t take that long. We’ll start by trying to hack the password. Let’s start with the basics. Write down nicknames, birthdays, pets—anything you think he might have used.
Sidebar photo of Bruce Schneier by Joe MacInnis.