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Protect your browser from "tabnabbing"
Have you heard about "Tabnabbing"? It is the term for a new kind of attack, which can be summarized as grabbing a Web browser tab when you aren't looking and making it appear as another site. Aza Raskin, lead designer for Firefox, created a page that illustrates this. If you click on that link and then ignore it for awhile (create and switch to another tab), Aza's page will turn into a lookalike for Gmail. He claims this will work in "all major browsers," and I confirmed it in Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox on the Mac. It even worked -- albeit poorly and less regularly -- in OmniWeb and Opera. However, before users of either of those browsers claim some sort of victory, please realize that my testing was not scientific or extensive, and Aza's "proof of concept" may not be as thorough as some other sites. Aza's example isn't too difficult to spot; if you look at the Address Bar you will see this URL still points to his domain, but he could easily redirect you to a non-Latin domain name that looks like a different website which would be harder to spot. What should you do to protect yourself? Well, perhaps unsurprisingly, Aza thinks you should use Firefox, which has an Account Manager feature that is supposed to help protect you from this kind of attack. But what about the next phishing attack? Or what if you prefer a different browser? Read on for a better solution that will allow you to use just about any browser you choose...
1Password for iPad will be free upgrade from iPhone version
Agile Web Solutions, the company behind 1Password, has laid out what I have seen as the most sensible model so far for pricing on iPad apps. They announced on their blog how the new apps will work: They are selling 1Password for iPad for $6.99 and it is aimed at people who do not and will not own the iPhone/iPod touch versions. This version will be all iPad, all the time. If you have an iPad and an iPhone/iPod touch, you can pick up 1Password Pro right now for $8.99 (it's on sale right now, the price will eventually go up to $14.99) and later on, this version will also include other features that won't make it to the standard version (one in particular they mention is MobileMe syncing). I'm happy to read anything about iPhone and iPad app development, and I like hearing that someone has given thought to, and made allowances for, both types of iPad users (those who own an iPhone or iPod touch, and those who don't). I also like their transparency in letting people know how the upgrade path will go. I'm still wondering about pricing in the App Store for iPad apps, and how peacefully all of this will end up coexisting. There's nothing to do but wait and see how things actually shake out with real users and actual app purchases, but I'm hoping there's more thoughtful examination and graceful upgrading out there. Knowing that consumers can be, shall we say, less than kind about things like pricing and upgrades, I'm hoping Agile will get credit for having spent some time on making this easier on people.
Gobble up this deal on 1Password Pro touch
To celebrate Thanksgiving, Agile Web Solutions is giving thanks to its customers this week in the form of a free iPhone app. Previously $7.99, 1Password Pro touch [iTunes link] is completely free until December 1st. Whether or not you use the excellent Mac edition of this app, which was recently updated to version 3.0, 1Password touch is a great addition to your iPod touch or iPhone. Essentially a password manager, this app stores login usernames and passwords, wallet information like credit card numbers, software license keys, and secured notes behind one or two levels of protection (depending on how sensitive you deem the data). With cut and paste functionality, as well as a built-in web browser, it's a great way to simplify logging into password-protected sites or even making online purchases. Of course, to get the most out of the mobile version, a copy running on your Mac is a must. With it, you'll be able to sync your information between the devices. The standard app is great and all, but since both versions are free for the time being, you might as well grab the Pro. Extra features include folders for better organization, the ability to copy multiple fields to paste elsewhere, and a unique switching mode to quickly copy and past info into Mobile Safari. In addition, there are some Pro-only features on the way including MobileMe and WebDAV syncing (I can't wait for that!), and Favorites. If you already have the regular touch edition, make sure to back up your data before removing the old app and upgrading to the Pro version. Those with the Mac application can rely on Wi-Fi syncing to ensure the latest info is on the computer, however Agile has instructions on its site for those without. Once you've removed the standard 1Password touch and installed Pro, you can restore the data.
