Jun
8
The plane headed for the crash landing and the passengers braced for their lives. Pilot “Skully” Sullenberger skillfully landed the US Airways aircraft and all 150 passengers and 5 crew safely departed. Minutes after the “miracle” landing, one passenger wanted to get his briefcase off the plane before it sunk. All his documents, personal and business, were on the laptop and he hadn’t backed up.
It shouldn’t take surviving a plane crash to motivate you to back up your data. However, so many us of put it off until something catastrophic happens, like our laptop crashing, or getting lost or stolen. The passenger who hadn’t backed up was out of luck, but another passenger using an on-line back up service had his laptop completely restored within four days.
The “out of luck” passenger lost both computers he had on board, about 250 gigabytes of data from his employer Computer Associates. He had been good about backing up his data from sharing the contents of one hard drive to another. This trip was unusually because he was traveling with both machines due to a business assignment. He lost everything.
Fellow passenger Paul Jorgensen had a better story to tell. He had used a service called Mozy that his employer, Epocrates, provides to back up the night before. The software runs in the background and automatically backs up data while on the internet. He is grateful for the on-line service that helped him retrieve all his data simply and quickly.
The two key players in online back up services are Mozy and Carbonite and, offering peace of mind through online automated back up services for personal and business users. The basic principle behind backing up is to protect data from disasters and the best security is to have multiple versions of the data stored in an alternate location. Most businesses have systems in place; however, vulnerabilities in the processes still exist. Remote backup or off-site data backup allows users to back up data to a remote, off-site location using existing internet bandwidth. Additionally, this less cumbersome approach allows for quicker restoration of data.
The service that booth Mozy and Carbonite offer is software that back ups your files to their servers in the background when you are connected to the internet. Mozy offers unlimited back up for $4.95 per month for home users. For commercial use, see their web site, Mozy Pro. 2 GB of free online back is the promotion they are featuring. The process is like insurance for your data—stored, secured and encrypted in a remote location for safe keeping.
Carbonite Online Backup offers one year unlimited backup for $54.95 for unlimited backup and boasts important files can be recovered anytime, anywhere. The software runs in the background, backing up files as you work. The encryption service protects your data and their web site offers a 15 day free trial.
Passenger Paul Jorgensen’s positive experience with Mozy was exceptional because he had all his data back on his new machine within four days. He had no excuse not to get back to work; even after a surviving a plane crash on the Hudson River. In addition to catastrophic plane crashes that destroy your machine, less dramatic incidents like accidental deletions, drive failure, theft and breakage could set you back. Therefore, an on line back up service like Mozy or Carbonite may be a good choice.
Nov
20
With all the coverage in the news recently about the big oil tanker of the coast of Somalia that is being held for ransom I figured I’d tell you a little about one of the modern methods cruise ships are using to protect their passengers.
Many cruise ships are using a sonic cannon like device called a LRAD, Long Range Acoustic Device, to repel boarders. In fact I figured I warned the captain of a tour boat about getting to close to the Queen Mary 2 before he was BLASTED with sound by a LRAD device. I didn’t have my video camera or audio recorder with me so you can’t hear it, but I got some photos….
While on a two week autumn cruise on the Queen Mary II we stopped at the Canadian city of Saint John, New Brunswick. We took a jet boat tour of the rapids that the Bay Of Fundy are famous for and on the way back to the dock our captain decided to check out the expansive Queen Mary II. As we approached I warned the captain that we were about to be blasted by a sonic cannon from the ship. He asked what is that? A second later we were targeted and felt a pulsing burst of sound energy, followed by a recorded voice telling us that we had violated the security zone and to leave the area immediately. Followed again by a gut wrenching blast of sonic energy.
It was interesting sensation. Not only was it loud in ears, but you could feel the pulses of sound in your body. Not unlike the feeling you can get being at a loud rock concert where you can feel the sound with your body.
Here is the sign warming us to STAY AWAY.
Here you can see the security office putting on his headphones getting ready to blast us.
We bet blasted, wish I had sound… Sorry…
View of the LRAD unit from the ship. Security Guard is wearing a bullet proof vest. He actually had the vest on backwards, protecting his back.
Photo of the back of the LRAD unit showing sound pattern and controls. This unit is made by American Technology Corporation.
At the next port a different officer was working the unit. I should note that the LRAD has now been permanently attached to the railing and isn’t tied down with rope as we see in these photos.
This unit was manned by a member of the crew whenever the ship was docked or moving at a reduced rate of speed. Cruise ship companies will not discuss their security procedures, but I understand these units are installed on many ships. Especially those that are working in dangerous waters.
Aug
26
Wi-Fi Users Beware, Signals can Travel
Filed Under Security | Comments Off
I know when your on the road, traveling in a new city, seeing an open Wi-FI hot spot after checking into a hotel room can seem like a lucky break.
But be very careful. You must understand that the free hot spot your tapped into may actually be a very “weak spot” when it comes to the security of your computer and personal information. They may also be able to sneak into your companies network on your coat tails.
You must understand that anything you do when connected to a public / Free Wi-Fi connection can be “viewed” by anyone within WiFi range of your computer. Think of it this way… If you using an open connection in pubic your basically SHOUTING your information across the room for anyone with another laptop to listen into. NOTE: if you using a corporate security/networking service you may be protected.
Two ways you can be hacked…. First is the Wi-Fi node you have attached onto titled “LocalFreeInternet”, is actually set up as bait. The criminal becomes a “man in the middle” Everything you do on this connection will be monitored by a criminal waiting for you to type in personal information and data.
Second is while connected to a legitimate Hot-Spot run by a reliable company your Wi-Fi signal can be monitored. As you type away and send your date to the wireless router in your local coffee shop it is very possible that a creep in their car just outside is recording everything everyone in the shop is doing online.
Software is readily available to help hackers setup either of these two scenarios. Collecting credit card numbers, user id’s and passwords. Tools are also available that might allow the hacker to take over your machine and mine your machine for data.
All this happens without your knowledge…..
The only real solution is a VPN, Virtual Private Network, which sets up a very secure “tunnel” effect between your laptop and a secured computer at, for example your office. When you type data into your laptop it is first scrambled and coded by your laptop and then sent over the open Wi-Fi airways. It then travels to the secure computer where your communication is decoded and processed as needed. Many companies require their employees to use such services when working via Wi-Fi connections.
How do you deal with this?
- Stay off of wireless networks. Use only hardwired Internet connections
- Keep your computers operating system current. Enable/install firewall, antivirus and antispyware software and turn on the auto update feature. I’m currently using ESet Smart Security on my laptop.
- Do online-banking only while at home or on a hardwired connection you can trust.
- If you use Wi-Fi at home, with security enabled, and make sure your home router has a unique SSID name. Don’t use the default name like LINKSYS. Also don’t use an SSID that identifies you like MURRAYWIFI.
- Turn off your laptops WiFi when your not using the Internet. You will also save battery life.
If you must use open Wi-Fi connections the only real solution is a reliable VPN service. HotSpotVPN has been around for a while and they allow you to purchase their service for as little as one day at a time. Check out their service, it is the only one I would use. www.HotSpotVPN.com
UPDATE: Also check out Witopia’s PersonalVPN
NOTE: These concerns also exist for Wi-Fi equipped cellphones.
For additional information visit Wi-Fi Alliance and OnGuardOnline.gov.
Aug
12
If your plane is going down, do you know what to do? It is up to you, you can’t count on the flight crew to help you in your time of need. First thing is to start thinking about it before you board the plane. Get started at home as you dress for your flight.
- Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Covering your skin protects you from exposure to flames and also prevents friction burns when you evacuate down the emergency escape slide. When choosing your clothes avoid polyester / synthetic fabrics. In a high heat environment these fabrics can readily melt and cause serious injury. Natural fibers are a better pick.
- Wear laced shoes. The last thing you want to do is loose your shoes during an emergency. Slip on shoes can easily be pulled off if someone steps on your feet as you all exit at once.
- Note how to open the cabin doors. Check the seat back emergency instructions card and learn how the main and emergency door work. Also if your the one opening the door, always check for fire outside the aircraft before opening the door. If fire is present use another exit.
- Count the rows to the main and emergency exit doors. Knowing where you are in relation to the exits can improve your chances of getting out alive.
- Keep your seat belt buckled at all times. Unexpected turbulence or rapid decompression can cause serious injuries. Standing in the isles is also a bad idea. If you are not strapped in your seat your exposed.
- Don’t breath smoke. Most airlines have lowered the toxic levels of the plastics used on airplane interiors. But if you can hold your breath for the short period of time it may take you to exit the plane or move to a smoke free area.
- Don’t inflate your life vest inside the plane. Many people will put on their life vest and immediately inflate it. It’s a BIG MISTAKE. It can make it very difficult for you and others to exit the plane. Don’t inflate your vest until you have exited the aircraft.
- Leave your luggage behind. I know it may seem important, but it isn’t. Leave your bags behind.
- Watch the safety briefing. Boring? Yes! A life saver? Yes!
Aug
4
Time to check your luggage tags. Not just that your luggage has them, but that the information on them is correct. And in today’s age of identification theft you may want to consider changing some of the current information.
Reduce the personal info. First use your first initial, B. Murray, rather than Bruce Murray. Second use your cell phone number rather than your home number, and maybe add your email address. Third, use an address other than your home address. Rather than telling baggage handlers that your out of town, you can use your work address and phone number, or better yet your your travel agents address and phone. Who better than your travel agent to help you reconnect with your luggage.
If your address is held in a protective sleeve with a transparent window place your name and cell number so it can be easily seen through the window, but place other info on the back side of the paper. My luggage tags say “B and P Murray / Over for contact info”. This requires that someone place some effort into getting to your address.
And for extended trips don’t forget to place a piece of paper inside your luggage with your home contact info, and your trip itinerary. NOTE: You should also add luggage tags to your carry-on luggage.
Jul
29
It appears that the years of violence against tourists has finally gotten the attention of US tourist and as a result the Mexican Authorities.
This year it appears that Police and drug traffickers have been going at it in towns near the US border crossings. Travel industry trade papers have reported that this years spring-break college travelers decided to skip the possible problems and have found other destinations, avoiding Mexico.
Crime against tourist has always been a problem in Mexico and maybe it’s the ability of the Internet to spread the word that has made it more visible to travelers. Risks include theft, sexual assault, and something new to me called Express Kidnapping. Never heard of express kidnapping? It is when you are kidnapped and taken to an ATM and forced to remove as much cash as possible.
Here is what the State Dept. website currently says about Mexico. “Crime in Mexico continues at high levels, and it is often violent, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Acapulco, and the state of Sinaloa. Other metropolitan areas have lower, but still serious, levels of crime. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to the high crime rate. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report the incident to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office.”
Here is some additional info from the US State Department. Often-violent Crime: Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Sinaloa State, Mexico City, Acapulco. Politically Motivated Violence: Guerrero State, Oaxaca State, Chiapas State. Dangerous Bar Scene: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Cancun.
Now that business investment is endanger, read this article, the Police have begun to crack down in border towns like Tijuana. But I still recommend extreme caution when visiting Mexico.
Jul
2
Some of us like the big city experience while other would rather be as faraway as possible from any signs of civilization. Preferring the wilderness. It could be steep mountains of Colorado, the dry deserts of Arizona, or the sailing the deep blue sea.
The magic of many of these trips is that you are alone, very alone. But some of you may not realize that distance from civilization comes at a price. And that price could be your life.
You could say it will never happen to me. I’ll never need help, I’m tough. But the reality is that we don’t have any control over our environment. Proper planning can limit your exposure to dangerous conditions, but you never really know what you will find. Remember the story about Aron Ralston, the trapped climber who was forced to cut off his own arm using a dull knife? Read about Aron.
If you run into trouble in the wilderness a new device is available to help you contact help. The new SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker. This cool unit not only helps you when your lost or in trouble, but allows you to create a record of your travels, and let friends and loved ones know your status.
The SPOT unit contains a GPS tracking receiver and a satellite transmitter. The GPS supplies the SPOT with your location and the transmitter sends that info up to a listening satellite above. Pretty straight forward, but the SPOT unit offers some options.
The orange SPOT unit has four option buttons.
- ON/OFF
- OK/Check - This sends your position and a predetermined ”I’m OK” message to a friend or family member. Hold this button down for five seconds and the unit will send this message every 10 minutes for 24 hrs. This repeat feature can allow tracking on a Google Map.
- HELP – This sends your location and a different “I could use some help” like message you have preset to a designated individual.
- 911 – This sends your location and a “send help NOW” message to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center. They then direct emergency responders to your location, and notify your emergency contact.
I think this unit is pretty handy, and an important safety and security item. It is not unlike technology that has been available to boaters for years (EPRB). It also is similar to the location device that is automatically activated in an airplane when it crashes (ELT). I think hikers would enjoy having such a unit, even for a day hike in populated areas. With the GPS tracking feature you could have a mapped record of your hike for later reference.
Having a SPOT unit with me would make me feel more comfortable heading off into any remote location. A location with no land lines or cell phone service.
The unit will need a view of the sky to work, and it doesn’t work everywhere. Southern Africa and some ocean area are not covered. The manufactures website offers a coverage map.
The unit costs around $170. 911, Help and Check-in services are $100 a year, the tracking feature costs and additional 50 per year. The unit is 4.4 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches and weighs 7.4 oz. For more details visit the official www.FindMeSpot.com website.
UPDATE: The Wallstreet Journal on 9/29/2008 has given the SPOT as their Consumer Electronics 2008 Technology Inovation award.
May
30
Fewer Air-Traffic Controllers
Filed Under Airlines, Legislation, Security | Comments Off
5 of 5 – Safety & Security Week
The bad news is that air-traffic controllers are leaving in huge numbers. These retiring controllers are leaving at the fastest rate since President Ronald Reagan fired more than 12,000 striking controllers in 1981.
To reduce the bleeding the FAA is hiring hundreds of trainees and offering bonuses of as much as $24,000 to keep controllers in their current jobs. The FAA also says that air travel has never been safer. In January 2008 we had around 11,000 controllers, a loss from the 2,801 6 years ago.
The union that represents the controllers, NATCA, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, has declared staffing emergencies at several major US airports. Union statement. It appears much of this is due to a contract dispute that has lasted since 2006.
May
29
4 of 5 – Safety & Security Week
Having a healthy vacation starts before your leave. You may have purchased travel insurance and received the needed vaccinations. But here are a few more tips.
- Take a small first-aid kit. You can make one yourself, or purchase a small one off the shelf. Your kit will be dependent on quality of health care at your destination. I have purchased several kits made by Adventure Medical Kits. They offer kits based on the number of people, type of activities and you destination areas. I add items specifically based on my own expected activities.
- See your dentist before you leave. This will help you avoid any unexpected emergencies.
- When exercising, take it easy. Don’t over do it before or during your trip. This includes lugging your luggage around while traveling to your destination.
- Bring copies of your prescriptions, extra glasses or contact lenses.
- In countries that have questionable water stay away from cold salads, street vendor food, ice, tap water uncooked meats, fresh milk, unpeeled fruit, and seafood. Use only boiled water or treated water and beverages in sealed bottles.
May
28
Search For Health & Safety Risks
Filed Under Security | Comments Off
3 of 5 – Safety & Security Week
How about some hiking in Portugal? Planning on doing a scuba diving in Belize? Want to find out what’s the health and safety risks are for a specific destination? Here are some web resources to check.
The World Health Organization has released, in electronic form, a great publication for travelers. It covers how may meet sudden and significant changes in humidity, temperature, altitude and microbes which can result in health issues. Poor quality health, hygiene, sanitation standards are often go hand in hand with poor medical services and limited clean water.
For the full publication click here. For just the country list click here.
The United States State Department also offers a wealth of information for those traveling overseas. If your headed out of the country this is an excellent reference. Click here.
The UK offers an interesting site with information for not only traveling but living overseas. Click here.
