Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Future of Home Security Systems

Wireless home security systems are designed to help keep a home safe from intruders and other potential hazards. As technology advances, new systems are consistently seeing changes that improve the efficiency of the safety features and convenience of the device. Understanding the future of the systems will help determine if it is better to wait for the newest features or if it is time to change that older system before the newer options come out.
Newer Features:
The new features contained within the wireless security systems that are coming out include matters of convenience like a touch-screen, thermostat control and lighting control throughout the whole house. These are primarily about the convenience and better personal control over the home's settings, but they do not work in every home. A home must have Z-wave thermostats and lighting to properly make the most use of this particular feature.
Beyond simply offering better control over the home's security, other advances in the way the system works are also present. Newer systems make it possible for homes that do not have a traditional landline, but instead opt for cell phone services and Voice Over IP systems to obtain proper security measures. The GSM radio feature is designed to manage this particular situation.
The Advantages:
Understanding the advantages of the newer technology is a key part of determining if it is appropriate to wait or if the new features are not useful on a personal level. The advantages include:
  • Improved convenience
  • Easy to read icons
  • Better home temperature and lighting control
  • Improved control over security features
  • GSM radio for non-traditional phone lines
While the benefits might make the system tempting, it is only one part of the newer systems that are soon to come out. In some cases, the newest features are not enough to consider waiting when the older security system is having any type of problems. In some situations, it is best to change the system without waiting.
The Disadvantages:
Despite the many new features and interesting elements that make up newer security systems, it is not without disadvantages. Understanding the downside of the system will help in the decision to wait on buying a new system. The disadvantages include:
  • Too many features for some households
  • Features that are not necessarily applicable to the home
  • Inability to make the most of the system
The new wireless security systems are useful in some situations, but it is not for every household. It is important to look over the features that are coming out with a system later and determine if it applies to a particular situation. In some cases, it is best to simply replace the old system as early as possible to ensure the security is as strong as possible.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Why Do I Need Such a Long Password? Well in This Case Size Does Matter

Passwords are a necessary evil. From my several conversations with people I get the impression that most hate the concept of a password. I believe one day passwords will be replace with biometric systems in the workplace. I am not sure when or how websites will ever replace the password system. Since we have to use passwords right now I will explain why longer passwords are better. I will also show you my character replacement system that helps create complex passwords with words you know. Now does size matter? In the case of password security, bigger is better. Short passwords like four digit codes are terribly insecure. People feel a false sense of security in using a four digit password. Modern computers and electronics have had great speed increases over the decade. It a lot of cases it takes longer to go through your fast food restaurant than have your four digit password broken into.
A recent news report revealed how a forensic company was selling equipment that would break into any iPhone's password system in less than two minutes. The reason why this is possible is because the iPhone allows only a four digit numeric password for its lock screen. That equals 10000 possible combinations to break into your iPhone. Computers and electronic devices have gotten faster, to the point that they can process numbers at an incredible speed. This company was selling the equipment to police departments around the world. Even though they were doing it for a noble purpose, it is not hard for hackers get their hands on software programs that do the same thing. The flaw though had nothing to do with the iPhone itself, it had to do with the fact the lock password is only four digits long and can only use numbers. Hopefully Apple makes a future update to this system so complex passwords are allowed on the lock screen.
So why are longer passwords more secure? Well when it is all said and done, it comes down to math. Right now if you were just to use numbers and letters with capitals for your password, each digit of your password represents sixty two possible combinations. Meaning a 3 digit password would be 62 x 62 x 62 = 238328 possible combinations. An eight digit password has 218340105584896 possible combinations. Each increase in a digit increases the possible number of passwords exponentially. Yet with such a large number of combinations, it may take a computer a few days or weeks to crack an eight digit password. As computers have improved, both the consumer and the hacker have enjoyed greater speeds. Based on current technology a nine digit password will take years to be cracked by a computer. Yes things will change, computers will get faster, but with each additional digit added to your password, you can stay a step ahead.
Now my character replacement system is designed with the idea of mind that you can use special characters in your password, while maintaining the look and feel of the password. This makes the password with the special characters and numbers easier to remember.
Here are a couple quick examples.
BEE = B33
DAD = D@D
This is the character replacement system I have followed and taught others for years to use. The reason why this is effective is it increases the possible available characters your password is using. This makes it harder to decipher and in some cases throw off people close (Ever heard of the kid who breaks into their parents computer to use the internet when they weren't suppose to?) to you that for whatever reason are trying to guess your password.
Here is a list of potential example passwords I would like to use.
Technically
Broncosfootball
Spikemydog
Loveflowers
What I do is use special characters or numbers to replace letters in the password.
1 = I
3 = E
7 = L
9 = G
O = 0
A = @
S = $
The idea is that for some, the shape of the number represents letter.
The number 3 is a backwards E, it is those little reminders that helps you remember. Now here are some complex passwords with terms I know. I am going to convert them over with my character replacement system.
Technically = T3chn1ca77y
Broncosfootball = Br0nc0$f00tba77
Spikemydog = $p1k3myd09
LoveFlowers = L0v3f70w3r$
As you can see, the replacement system changes the whole nature of your password. With the replacement system, you have taken your common word and made it uncommon. The reason why I have recommend this to so many was because of the psychological behind it. The ones who I taught this system gave me feedback that the special characters used to replace certain letters were easier to remember. In their head the idea that the number 3 was a backwards E worked for them. This is just a guideline. I know some who have come up with their own character replacement systems that worked for them. What really matters is that you use something like this versus nothing at all.
Hopefully this article educated you while size matters in passwords. How the longer the password the harder it is for a computer program to break through. Also you have been given an alternative to using certain letters in your passwords to make them more secure.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Dell Streak 5 - High End Technology Tablet PC

Streak Dell tablet device is set empowered with high end technology which that is making waves these days. It has been first launched in UK and gradually gripped the global audience with its charm. This great tablet has gained great much popularity that even no other Dell products. The Dell laptop is among the most prestigious choice which has been launched by the big daddies. The hardware as well as the looks has done enough to impress everyone.
Dell Streak is the latest laptop model which has entered the series with great pomp and show. There are number good flexible things that keep the ones connected with this tablet. It also allows a great web browsing experience you get with this device. It also possesses multi-tasking capabilities with slick turn navigation too. The users are also impressed by the photo navigation, movies and music and sleek device is built for mobility.
It is introduced as the smartest gadget launched in the market that brings along a number distinct characteristics. It proudly sports 5-inch WVGA capacitive multi-touch screen that enables taking in charge great video search experience. The laptop also comes equipped with 1GHz Snapdragon its ARM-based mobile processor along with 5MP camera. The newly designed Dell Tablet PC is imbibed with LED flash that can easily point and shooting ability to help one easily upload video to many sites. The laptop also features a removable battery which is proficient enough to given a commendable time to run multiple functions on its interface. It also brings along headphone jack is 3.5 mm that can be used as another music source.
Apart from these basic features, this well-designed laptop is enriched with classy attributes including 3G facility with Wi-Fi and 32 GB of memory. Connectivity is also highly supported by its in-built Bluetooth which also brings along an external keyboard and stereo headsets. Therefore, the users get to use UMTS/GPRS and EDGE facilities to enjoy. There's an expandable microSD which helps in extending the memory up to 32GB. Further, the interface and operating system are easy to measure whereas it also gives you access to 38,000 applications. This tablet PC also hands over quick access to various social websites such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. which is counted as yet another impressive attribute that this tablet encompasses. This Dell tablet PC is among the most popular in the series which has gathered the major section of buyers by boasting of reasonable Dell Streak 5 price in India through online.