This is the 73rd episode of the Shared Security Podcast sponsored by Security Perspectives – Your Source for Tailored Security Awareness Training and Assessment Solutions. This episode was hosted by Tom Eston and Scott Wright recorded February 14, 2018. Below are the show notes, commentary, links to articles and news mentioned in the podcast:
The Shared Security Amazing Thing of the Month
This month we discuss why it’s important to use a password manager as well as our personal recommendations on which one to use. Tom prefers KeePass, while Scott prefers LastPass. Regardless of our preference…any password manager you choose is better than none!
Product Review: Silent Pocket Faraday Laptop Sleeve
We were recently contacted by Silent Pocket to review one of their new products, the Faraday Laptop Sleeve and they were kind enough to send Tom one. This is a great privacy and security product which will block all wireless signals from a device including cellular, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, RFID and NFC in all frequencies. As mentioned on the show, you don’t need to be a person that is “ultra paranoid” about their privacy to use one of these devices. In fact, in recent months there have been more attacks targeting wireless devices (many of which we’ve mentioned on the show) so products like these add a simple extra layer of protection for your devices. Specifically, if you’re someone that would be considered “high risk” for having your wireless devices targeting (i.e. government, military, journalist or human rights defender) this product is a absolute must have. Here are my observations of the Laptop Sleeve:
- The sleeve is very durable and made of excellent quality material. I like how the sleeve “snaps” together and seals the itself. In fact, it holds a bit of air that you have to “push” out when you seal it which demonstrates how solid the seal is.
- I tested the sleeve with a mobile phone and a 15″ MacBook Pro and I was unable to connect to my phone via Bluetooth, Wifi and cellular. My cellphone quickly reconnected once I removed it from the sleeve. As Scott mentioned on the podcast, we wondered if the battery on a mobile phone would drain more quickly looking for a mobile signal while protected in the sleeve. However, according to Silent Pocket’s FAQ, this isn’t an issue.
- You can use it for practically any wireless device like your car key fob or RFID enabled credit cards and passports. You could easily fit your laptop and a few other devices in the sleeve (it will be crowded and a bit tight, but it can work).
- On my next business trip I’m curious to see how it goes through the airport security x-ray process.
If you’re interested in learning more about the laptop sleeve and other products you can visit silent-pocket.com for more information.
Note to other privacy product vendors: We’re happy to review your products as well! Fill out our “Contact Us” form on sharedsecurity.net or send us an email at feedback[aT]sharedsecurity.net for more information.
Intel Vaunt Smart Glasses
Oh no! Is it Google Glass all over again? Tom and Scott don’t think so and in fact, this may turn out be the next useful device.
Germany Picks on Facebook Regarding the use of Real Identities
We’ve mentioned this before on the podcast that Facebook doesn’t play nice with it’s users that don’t want to use their real names. Germany has something to say about that with this new court ruling. Will we finally see Facebook change this policy?
Google Chrome will show your website as “Not Secure” if you don’t move to HTTPS
Google recently announced that they will start showing non-HTTPS websites as “Not Secure” starting in July. If you have a business or own a website, best get started on purchasing a SSL certificate or get one for free through the Let’s Encrypt project. Besides, Google automatically lowers the search results for non-SSL sites and they’ve been doing this for quite some time already.
Fun Tweet from Kevin Mitnick (famous hacker)…
So I went to the Apple Genius Bar to pick up a repaired iPhone.
At the same time, the guy next to me is verbally giving his username and password to the Genius helping him.
After he says his credentials he goes on to say he hopes he doesn’t get hacked.
Only if he knew 😉— Kevin Mitnick (@kevinmitnick) February 5, 2018
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