I found this great article over at Macworld while doing a little google searching for data encryption tools. You could go with the ever-popular TrueCrypt, but the Mac has a nice utility built right in that might just meet your needs. It will walk you through the process of creating an encrypted disk image that works like a folder on your mac.
How Secure is Your Password?
Want to test how long it would take for a PC to crack one of your passwords? You can do exactly that at http://howsecureismypassword.net/
Posted in Web.
– September 21, 2010
1Password vs. Lastpass
I’ve been using both tools now for some time. 1Password for more than a year and Lastpass for about a month. I have to say that both are great at what they do. These tools really make it simple to diversify and strengthen your passwords and still have the simplicity of remembering only one. Both tools appear to be very comparable. I can do the following very easily…
- Manage passwords and more (such as credit card numbers and other various accounts)
- Create a local copy or backup
- Sync with my mobile phone (iPhone)
The only real difference appears to be in the elegance of the software. I feel 1Password appears more elegant against the interfaces of LastPass. This might have something to do with the fact that 1Password first arrived on the Mac. Typically, Mac software feels a bit more refined. That said, I can’t say much more otherwise. Only other real difference is in the price…
- 1Password: $39.95 (available for Mac and PC)
- LastPass: Free! or $1.00 per month if you want access to the mobile application (Available for Mac, PC and Linux)
I like them both so here is how I use them. I run 1Password on my personal Mac and LastPass on my work PC. I should also mention that 1Password now has a public beta for the PC and it syncs easily enough using DropBox. I may be checking it out myself soon.
Posted in Software.
– September 19, 2010
Troubleshoot a Slow WiFi Connection
I recently received a call from my father about experiencing slow internet speeds for no apparent reason. I had installed a Linksys N router for him a few months ago and all had been working well at the time. I did remember that I was able to see many (about 8 – 10) available wifi networks when I was configuring his new router. It occurred to me that he might be experiencing a problem with interference. I had a hunch that many of these networks were probably broadcasting on the same channel. I was going to first suggest iStumbler or WiFi Scanner v 1.1 (both are for Mac OS X) so that my father could detect the channels of the conflicting networks, but I know he has a dislike for installing software if it is not needed regularly. I then found this browser based WiFi detector that worked perfectly – Meraki Tools WiFi Stumbler. We quickly found that several of the networks were all on the same channel, including his. So I had my father connect to the router administration page and modify the channel. After a 5 second refresh, he was browsing the web at full speed again.
Posted in Software.
– July 28, 2010
Save 30 Percent on up to 5 Yubikeys
Steve Gibson recently announced a discount for Yubikeys during SecurityNow! episode 257. Go to store.yubico.com and simply enter “securitynow” – all as one word – in the coupon code field during checkout. The offer is good until end of August 2010.
Posted in Hardware.
– July 25, 2010
