Our mother always used to tell us, "you'd lose your head if wasn't screwed on," but we're sure that had she grown up in this decade she'd say, "you'd lose a
USB key carrying sensitive data if
Microsoft didn't patent a technology to counteract the problem." Or something like that. As you might've guessed, Microsoft has a new patent, and this one is to help that hapless soul charged with setting up a wireless home network, who, Microsoft admits, "faces a daunting task" at such a prospect. See, Windows can load network set-up details onto a CD or other form of removable storage, but if the user loses the item, they also compromise their network security. We figured this could be solved by some sort of "don't be an airhead" message on the box, but Microsoft put its brain to the task and came up with self-destructing USB memory keys, with enough juice in them to power the key for one hour, after which the data disappears fuhevah. The keys are brightly colored so the user doesn't slap anything important on them, but it seems like an interesting solution to a
completely ridiculous interesting problem.
[Via
New Scientist]
posted Nov 20th 2006 6:46PM
Why didn't I think of this? Maybe my Vista install CD/DVD should self destruct after installing so noone can steal it and pirate my OS.
Oh, wait, maybe that's why most of the original/new vista features have already dissapeared.
1st the self destructing operating system now the .... aw you know, you know lol
I can see where they are coming from, but there are some major flaws in their idea. If the purpose if for network admins to give you the usb drive for use on one or two computers before they erase then this could work. I assume the admin would then want it back to use again. The only problem is even this is not secure. Couldn't someone just copy the drive. That is unless Microsoft (dare I say it) puts DRM on these things.
HA HA HA! I luv how engaget rag on Microsoft 4 NeTHing and everything they do. Engadget rock!!!
This is the first Microsoft patent I've seen in a long time... hmm... so are they really innovative?
This device will self-destruct in 3....2..1 KABOOM!!
So... They patented putting normal RAM into an USB key and powering it for a while from a battery? So once the battery runs out the data is gone (as opposed to Flash RAM and friends that does not require power to store data).
My! Aren't the smart people at M$ really putting the thinking cap on these days... Oh wait. They all left to work at Google ;)
Huh, they aren't using flash then since it doesn't have power requirements. They must be using some sort of volatile memory (like RAM but less intensive) coupled with a low level rechargeable battery. I am, of course, assuming that the power source mentioned is rechargeable... if it's single use then it is a waste of time.
Which is essentially a laptop in sleep mode, so how is this patent valid again? Furthermore, why call it "self destructing" instead of something more accurate (and acceptable to the non-pyromaniac crowd) like "time-limited secure erase" or "reusable temporary storage with permanent data deletion"? That's more like what I would have expected out of MS.
The erase should be pretty permanent if the memory is volatile, but you're right Jared - before it loses its charge it would be completely copyable.
Oh, crap! I shouldn't have run firefox o$%^^**$E%$ No Carrier
I hope it's big enough to put Vista on!
I for one welcome our short lived USB robot overdrives.
oh noes!!! not fuhevah!! :O :|
...I memorized my WEP key. It's the 26 digit HEX kind too. Beat that security! *puts on his tinfoil hat*
Well, if they intend to use it for setting up a windows network, they'd better make it last for more than an hour....
Well, the point is that the key (presumably) recharges whenever it's plugged in. So, while Windows takes 7 minutes to import a 2 kB configuration file to system settings, your key recharges for the next computer you'll be installing the settings to.
I dunno. I'd have no use for it, but I know people who might. But it'd be cheaper and more useful for them to burn a CD-R, put it in their jacket pocket, and snap it when they're done with it. Or put the configuration file in question on an HTTPS server with login authentication. Or a Secure-FTP server. Or a computer with SSH/SCP access. Etc.
yummmm thermite....... oooo the possibilities.
"...I memorized my WEP key. It's the 26 digit HEX kind too. Beat that security! *puts on his tinfoil hat*"
last i checked you can compromise a WEP network in like 3 minutes these days. try beating it? how about using WPA perhaps?
i hope you're joking.
Tiogshi @ Nov 21st 2006 1:07AM said
Well, the point is that the key (presumably) recharges whenever it's plugged in. So, while Windows takes 7 minutes to import a 2 kB configuration file to system settings, your key recharges for the next computer you'll be installing the settings to.
Well if thats the way it works (big if) then all the network admin would have to do is buy a hub and leave these babys pluged in all of the time to keep them fresh as (no wait this is MS Doh).
If Steve Jobs applied for this patent, everyone would be applauding it. This site has become a joke.
They are in serious need of a clipart update. Figure 602 is plain AWESOME!