Security & Hacking: The Matasano Crypto Challenges

Really cool the Matasano Crypto Challenges is "a collection of 48 exercises that demonstrate attacks on real-world crypto."

It's designed to teach real Crypto attacks by doing, great for improving the security of code you write, or to get an idea of what Pen Testing or malicious hacking involves.

Very good review, worth reading in it's own right here https://blog.pinboard.in/2013/04/the_matasano_crypto_challenges/

Note in the Pinboard review the original link for Matasano Crypto Challenges  didn't update for server move, current working link (I have correct link at top of this blog post of mine as well) is http://web.archive.org/web/20140213141638/http://www.matasano.com/articles/crypto-challenges/

Interesting Article "Internship at CERN"

http://www.quantumdiaries.org/2012/11/28/internship-at-cern-as-seen-from-both-sides/

They mention other Internship and job opportunities at CERN.

Nerd Gear: Android Controlled LED Lamp

See http://www.myledlamp.net/ for more information.

They offer a free version of the app for Android, and instructions for Arduino, and other information you need to build your own.

Nerd Gear: Cool Impact Resistant Material & Case for Galaxy Note 2

Amusing and intersting demo of a fancy material, called D30, used in some phone cases, and other items.

It is putty like under normal circumstances, but under high speed impacts, acts like a solid (or perhaps like a hydraulic fluid?).

 Link to the company that makes D30 http://www.d3o.com/consumer/electronics/

Tech21 makes phone cases using this technology, and they already have one for the Galaxy Note 2!

Link http://www.tech21.uk.com/index.php/news/news_item/New_Galaxy_Note_2_Cases

Like I have mentioned before, I am planning on getting myself a Samsung Galaxy Note II phone for Christmas present.

Ah found Youtube of the Tech21 Impact Snap Cases, this is definitely on the top of my list for case for my Christmas Phone ^_^

Nerd Gear: GameKlip for Android

GameKlip http://buy.thegameklip.com/

[Edited to add, check out FAQ for links for checking on compatibility with controller and games that support it http://buy.thegameklip.com/pages/faqs]

This looks cool, they have wireless version available for Rooted phones, and wired version for non Rooted Phones.

They briefly demo Minecraft, a game I would use this for, I also like how it seems balanced enough to use as a stand, see Twit.TV review link below for example.

Also as a Trekkie, I notice how it looks a lot like a Starship from Star Trek ^_^

After I get my Galaxy Note 2, assuming they make clip for that phone, I will definitely give this a try.

Reviewed on Twit.TV's All About Android 78: Hardware in the Hizouse

Link takes you to Youtube at the start of their review http://youtu.be/GHgtpsXClbM?t=51m1s

Post with How To Youtube on Pairing PS3 Controller with Samsung Galaxy Nexus 3

Nerd Gear: Sensor Drone turn your Android, iPhone, or iPod Touch into an even more Powerful Tool!

I really like this, it is on my must buy list!

See http://www.sensorcon.com/sensordrone/ or http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/453951341/sensordrone-the-6th-sense-of-your-smartphoneand-be for more information.

Detailed specs (PDF) http://www.sensorcon.com/forum/download/file.php?id=8

I have bad Asthma/Allergies, this will really help with some air quality issues for me. 

Both for warning when my local air quality is bad, Ozone detection/warning will be very useful for my Asthma issues, and also to help me better determine just what triggers are a problem.

Also as a Star Trek fan, TNG is my favorite, this will let you turn a Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Nexus 7, iPod Touch, or other iOS device into something like a real Tricorder.


Cut and Paste of Features from http://www.sensorcon.com/sensordrone/:

Included Sensors/Features

• Air Sensor Port (Gas & Weather Sensing)
• Light Intensity (illumination) & Color Sensor
• Non-contact temperature (infrared temperature) sensing
• Proximity Sensor (Proximity capacitance intensity)
• External Hardware Connection (easy wireless connection for your hardware to Android Devices)
• Programmable LEDs

Minecraft: Cool Mob Killing Machine

"Death Bowl" Mob Trap (Tutorial) by Monkeyfarm http://www.youtube.com/user/monkeyfarm

Pretty cool, this is not for farming or experience, but for fun & the look.

You don't use TNT in Minecraft for farming to often IMO ^_^

Be sure to check out Monkeyfarm's Youtube channel, he has a lot of Minecraft VOD's up.

Nerd Gear: Mesh Potato and spreading Net

 This story and device, just to cool not to blog.

Saw this Ars' article How one man is bringing VoIP, Net access where telecoms fear to tread:Several towns will get cellular, Internet access for the first time

The device used, Mesh Potato, is from this company http://villagetelco.org/mesh-potato/ check out that link and their FAQ for more info http://villagetelco.org/mesh-potato-faq/

Here is snipped from http://villagetelco.org/mesh-potato/

"The Mesh Potato is a device for providing low-cost telephony and Internet in areas where alternative access either doesn’t exist or is too expensive. It is a marriage of a low-cost wireless access point (AP) capable of running a mesh networking protocol with an Analog Telephony Adapter (ATA). Wireless APs such as the Meraki or OpenMesh (Accton Mini-router) APs are rapidly gaining in popularity due to their low-cost, relative robustness, and ease of installation. Adding the ability to plug an ordinary telephone into a device like an OpenMesh AP opens up very interesting possibilities."

I would think HAM's might be interested in this, also has Dark Net possibilities I think.

You might also want to read about origins of Mesh Potato at http://villagetelco.org/2008/06/the-origin-of-the-mesh-potato/

Snippet from origin link:

"The device would be based on the Atheros chipset used by Meraki and OpenMesh and would run OpenWRT and BATMAN. Asterisk would deliver the telephony function. Designed with a weatherproof housing, this device could be attached to the outside of a house or would even work inside if need be. Pre-configured, it would be plug and play for a new Village Telco client."

Nerd News: Star Trek Tricoders one step closer to reality!

Source and full story:  http://www.extremetech.com/computing/114975-nano-scale-terahertz-antenna-created-hand-held-tricorders-incoming

This is just totally cool to a Nerd like me!  Terahertz frequencies can penetrate skin a short distance, additionally in the Terahertz freq range, molecules and atoms have an unique signature, or "fingerprint", which means it can not only image, but analyze things!

Someone may actually cash in on the X Prize Offers $10 million for a Real-Life Star Trek Medical Tricorder

Nerd Gear: Self Healing Screen Cover

Originally developed by Nissan for car finishes, it has been adapted to iPhone cover now. This is really cool IMO, this will really add life to tablet computers like the iPad, Playbook, etc.

Full story at http://www.techspot.com/news/47097-nissan-announces-an-iphone-case-with-self-healing-paint.html