better usb wireless security

Posted Jan 1st 2005 12:14AM by Phillip Torrone
Filed under: misc hacks

usb security

there's a pretty slick device called the "thanko usb pc lock" that will unlock and lock your pc based on how close your are to it (physically).

the only downside is the software that comes with seems a bit wonky, but--bryan batchelder rolled up a better version which to address all the complaints we had, the future features look pretty sweet too.

Reader Comments

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1. Linux version: http://freshmeat.net/projects/usb-lock/

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Steven boger

2. I'de like some one to write an app for my pocket pc and my desktop to do the same but with wifi and the computer would lock if lets say the signla of the wifi connection would be less then X and unlock if signal is more then x. this could be doen by mesuring the wifi srtengt of the ppc since it will probably connect to a wifi router or ap near the desktop.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by sebastien

3. who cares if it is a hack the creator of this website wont want to keep putting his time and effort in to doing all this if every one is being gay about it so just shut up and try the hacks out and have fun with them instead of pretending to be a hardcore hacker

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by jack

4. Wow...you seriously don't know what you're talking about, but I refuse to act like an idiot by getting into an argument with one.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by bradley mcalister

5. you guys are taking the beauty out of what pt has done by creating this site.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by mobilexile

6. just use a wired one - its cheaper more secure and realy not that bad. The only application for wireless oones are for media center pcs, in which case security dosen't matter too much.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by drlzrdmn

7. This is doing something to a product that was not provided out of the box, therefore it is a hack.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Kroc Camen

8. bryan's stuff to me is a hack, so, whateva'

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by phillip torrone

9. writing new software for an existing device is not a hack? jeez.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by phillip torrone

10. yes...but downloading and running software isn't...

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Bradley mcalister

11. Not a hack but still pretty spiffy

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Bradley mcalister

12. Here is the new link since the origional link seems down...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/coding4fun/hardware/article.aspx?articleid=912422&title=Is+that+you%3f+Writing+Better+Software+for+Cool+USB+Hardware

Posted at 5:12PM on Apr 2nd 2007 by Woody2143

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