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U.S. Government Seizes Domains of Fileshare websites

It’s clear today that the U.S. Government has been very busy. Without any need for COICA, ICE has just seized the domain of a BitTorrent meta-search engine along with those belonging to other music linking sites and several others which appear to be connected to physical counterfeit goods.  When trying to access these site you would be greeted with a nice little banned that looks like the following screen shot.

This happened to Torrent-Finder starting with DNS downtime.  After contacting the websites hosting service they had no idea what was going on and until now they do not understand the situation and they say it was totally from ICANN.  This is straight out crazy.  I can see if there was some kind of legal action against the sites or if there was probable cause to shut down the site that they could lose their domain.  But they won’t kill the domain for Wiki leaks for releasing sensitive information, but they will kill site for suspected copyright infringement.

Now I am not all for sharing files but there is legitimate file sharing out there.  Such as torrents that are used to download Linux distributions.  However that isn’t even the biggest problem, if you do something that is currently in bad favor with the government you can lose your domain without any kind of warning.   I am not sure what this has to say for the future of the Internet, but I don’t think this will even put a dent in the file sharing world.  There are several articles out there, to read more, check out the following:

http://torrentfreak.com/u-s-government-seizes-bittorrent-search-engine-domain-and-more-101126/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20023918-93.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

November 26th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Info, Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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File Encryption for Windows with AxCrypt

AxCrypt is the open source file encryption software for Windows. It integrates seamlessly with Windows to compress, encrypt, decrypt, store, send and work with individual files.  Encryption protects your data from being seen by others, and against undetected change.  It does not protect data from loss.  This application has a 32 and 64 bit MSI install package and integrates into the Windows menus.

Let start with where you can find the software.  It is at www.axantum.com, and the installation is pretty basic with a Window MSI package.  The only real selections you can make are a few menus in, here is a screen shot.

You can enable or disable Right click menu integration, self decryption, and portable encryption for a flash drive or portable hard drive.  Once it is installed you just simply right click on the file or folder that you want to encrypt and you can select from several option in the menu.  One of my favorite is the shred and delete option.  This deletes the file and write over the sectors of the hard drive the file was in to insure the file is gone.  Here is a pic of the right click menu on my machine.

Here are the features from the application developers website.

Features

The following are features that really set it apart from all other file encryption tools, commercial as well as free:

  • Double-click to edit/view with any application.
  • Automatic re-encryption after modification.
  • Absolutely no user configuration necessary or possible before use.
  • Open source under GNU General Public License.
  • 7 languages in one executable distribution.
  • Extensive command-line interface for scripting and programming.

Other features

  • Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/2008/7 compatible.
  • AES encryption with 128-bit keys.
  • Edit an encrypted document directly with double-click.
  • Optional pass phrase cache – type pass phrases once per logon and/or reboot.
  • Automatic pass phrase validation before decryption or editing.
  • Key-File generation and support.
  • No options or user interface – easy to install and use.
  • Relatively light-weight, less than 1Mb download
  • Extensive command-line interface.
  • Server mode options.
  • Support for files larger than 4GB (on Windows NT/2K/XP or later).
  • Dynamic brute force counter measure – iterative key wrapping.
  • Integrates well with web based file sharing services.
  • Selective compression before encryption – faster downloads/uploads.
  • Retains original file name and information of an encrypted file.
  • Integrated shredder.
  • Shredding of all temporary and encrypted plaintext files.
  • Secure memory handling – no keys or data in the paging file.
  • Industry standard algorithms.
  • Data integrity verification – no undetected modification.
  • Unique data encryption keys used for every file and (re-)encryption.
  • Polyglot – currently speaks English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and Swedish.
  • Easy to add more languages – contact me (I’m especially looking for Nordic languages)!
  • Open source – no backdoors.
  • Private branding support for commercial or corporate versions.
  • It’s FREE!
To encrypt a file or folder just right click on the file and select AxCrypt, then encrypt.  This will pop up another window that will give you options for the encryption of the file.  You can use a pass phrase or a key file.  Here is a pick of the menu.
Another way you can encrypt the file is so it will auto decrypt the file without having AxCrypt installed on the other machine.  It is pretty much the same process, but it makes an EXE file that does all of the work.  You can also make a key file using AxCrypt to use for the encryption of the files.  There is an option in the right click menu to create the file and it will output a text document to the location you choose and it will contain a string of random characters to be used.  The string will look similar to the one that follows.

example string:

DlA8 ti3j xH5j YWV6 yxtt YILA DM3c ns3m 3dHw hU3C s5s=

If you use a key file you will need to keep it is a safe location and not let anyone have it unless you want them to have access to you files.  The last option is the Shred and Delete.  This does just what it says by deleting the file and writing over the blocks on the hard drive it was located.  This is a secure way to remove the file from the hard drive, unlike the normal delete that just removes it forn the file allocation table and leaves the file on the drive.

This is one of the best encryption tools I have seen and I would recommend it for the storage of important files and information that people may store on a computer.  It is also important to remember to backup the files and the key or pass phrase that are used to encrypt the files.  So for extra security on personal information give this app a chance and I am sure you will like it.

November 26th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: administration, Tech, Windows | Leave a comment
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Acer Unveils New Tablets

Acer is the latest personal-computer maker to join the tablet bandwagon after Apple’s iPad. This will also compete with Samsung’s  Android based tablet with a 7-inch screen. Other companies such as BlackBerry  and Hewlett-Packard Co., have announced plans to introduce tablets in the near future.

The  10.1-incher looks quite interesting, boasting a dual-core 1GHz processor, an HDMI output and a native 1280×800  screen resolution. You’ll also get a 5 megapixel rear camera, an HD front-facing camera for video calling and full multitouch support.  The 7-inch tablet  packs the same screen resolution, a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU and the same Flash 10.1 support.  The Android OS  Acer will be using is believed to be Android 2.2.  The 10.1-incher boasts a 13.3mm thick shell, 1080p output over HDMI, a ten-point multitouch system and an inbuilt Gyroscope for gaming purposes. The 7-inch sibling seems mostly identical except for the screen size, packing a dual core CPU, DLNA technology, WiFi and integrated 3G.

Specs by model.

7-inch Acer tablet

* 7-inch touch screen (1,280 x 800 resolution; 16:10 aspect ratio)
* Dual-core processor
* Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support
* Dolby Mobile Technology
* Wi-Fi
* 3G
* DLNA support
* Front-facing HD camera
* HDMI

10.1-inch Acer tablet

* 10.1-inch touch screen (1,280 x 800 resolution; 16:10 aspect ratio)
* Dual-core processor
* Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support
* Dolby Mobile Technology
* Wi-Fi
* 3G
* DLNA support
* Front-facing HD camera
* HDMI

10.1-inch Acer Windows  Tablet


Weighing in at less than 2.2 pounds, the 0.6-inch thick tablet is quite different from the other Acer tablets unveiled today, and it’s not just the operating system. This 10.1-inch slate also comes with a dock that sports a full-size keyboard. As someone who wants a tablet but still wants a physical keyboard to be productive, this sounds like it could be the perfect slate computer.

Not all of the specs on this machine has been announced yet.

* AMD processor
* Dual 1.3-megapixel cameras (one on front, one on rear)
* Wi-Fi
* 3G

Here is the Press release from Acer:

New York, November 23rd 2010 – Acer enters the tablet arena with a very clear objective in mind: complete its range of products in support of its goal to simplify content consumption – a strategy which began with the development of Acer’s multimedia sharing system, Clear.fi.

Acer’s strategy is based on the concept of sharing multimedia content and enjoying it across any device, and Tablets are ideal devices for this purpose.
With close to 19 million tablets sold worldwide in 2010, 54.8 million units expected to be sold in 2011, and 208 million units forecasted for 2014, the market seems to confirm this idea.

Mobility, which has always been part of Acer’s DNA, finds a new form of expression in the range of tablets on offer, which feature various display sizes and models designed to fit different kinds of usage scenarios.

Weight and display size have a huge impact on the user experience. While devices with bigger screens are used to share and enjoy content, smaller devices are often used to create content – taking photos, recording videos or sending messages.

A 10.1″ Android tablet for a superb mobile and home entertainment experience
Sleek, smart and full of innovative features, the 10.1″ full capacitive touch screen tablet with Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity ensures an optimal on-screen experience from every angle. Aluminum casing provides a cool look and feel, while its high gloss finish decorated with engraved patterns creates a subtle sophistication. And despite being just 13.3mm thick, it’s powerful enough to guarantee fun and productivity whether you need it .

Designed for HD entertainment, this tablet comes with a high resolution, high color contrast display, allowing you to play or share HD video with your friends wherever you are. Complete with a built-in HDMI port and 1080p capability, you can also use it to enjoy multimedia content in Full HD on your big screen TV.
But the best of all is that on this tablet you will be able to run and play premium HD arcade games and complex online 3D games, thanks to the 10 point multitouch and gyro meter control, that guarantees an entertainment experience on par with the best game consoles.

Available April 2011
7″ Android Tablet: the epitome of mobility
Don’t be fooled by its ultra-compact size: the 7″ tablet is fully featured and takes your mobile experience to the next level. On the 7″ (1280×800) 16:10 aspect ratio full touch screen, you can enjoy games, photos, videos while keeping up with your emails or your favourite social networks. Video chat or record a video with the front-facing HD camera. With HDMI support, hooking it up for a big screen video experience is easyier than ever!

The 7″ inch tablet will feature a dual core processor with Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support for the fastest HD Web experience and multimedia playback anywhere. And for a truly amazing sound experience, it will come with Dolby Mobile Technology. Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity allow fast and easy connection to available networks, while DLNA support makes sharing your multimedia on other devices easier than ever.

To follow up all that information is some pictures of the Acer Tablet.

November 23rd, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Linux, Tech, Windows | Leave a comment
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