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Most Secure Digital Audio Player?
PaleGreen asks: "What's the most secure portable Digital Audio Player (DAP) in terms of a true 'one-way' file copy mechanism? I want to be sure a curious coworker can't leech my portable's treasures while I'm out to lunch (or even worse, if I lose it). I'm aware of 'iPod backup' solutions that seem to get around Apple's protection. Are the Windows Media 'Plays For Sure' devices more secure in this area? Are there portables that support a hardware password (similar to a BlackBerry, where the unit resets to factory defaults after ten bad password attempts)?"
I think we're all mortified by thinking about what you've got on your audio player that you're so worried about.
There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
When it mounts the iPod as a new drive, open that folder in explorer and then select Tools -> Folder Options from the menu bar. Click the View tab and select "Show hidden files and folders", then click OK.
Now you should see an additional folder on your iPod drive called iPod_Control. Open it up and find your music files in a set of subdirectories under the iPod_Control/Music/FXX folders, where XX is a bunch of two digit numbers.
The file names may or may not make much sense, but never fear. If you have ID3 tags in the files, you can just copy the files from the iPod onto your hard drive, then import them into a jukebox that understands ID3, and they'll be perfectly readable again.
Don't use this to pirate music. I only mention it because I thought it was odd that every iPod owner on Slashdot didn't know about it yet.
Check out my eclectic infosec blog at InfoSecPotpou
I have a good number of books in my bookcase at work, and I don't want some busybody no-goodnik pinko commie rat bastard co-worker to waltz in and photocopy one of my treasured tomes - or worse yet, steal the volume outright! Some people even have the nerve to turn to the last part of the book first and spoil the ending for themselves, if you can believe that. Obviously, I want to prevent this from happening.
What bookcases have the best anti-personel features? Would the security of several bear traps near the bookcases be worth the possible civil liability? Does anyone know of a reliable, cheap source for claymore mines on the web?
Signed,
Worry R. Wart
Sometimes, lowtech is the best option. I once faced a similar problem with nozy coworkers. My solution was to store a personal diary on my mp3 player. In it, I descibed in exacting detail the little things of the day, like the weather, or the nice flowers on the receptionst's desk, and of course how I would brutally kill each and every one of my coworkers.
I found that keeping this diary improved not only my mood but the mood of everyone in the office. People started being so nice to me. For example, if I late on doughnut day and mention it to someone, they give me their doughnut. I didn't even have to ask for it. Whenever I ask someone to please be a little quiter, they immediately quiet down and give me such a nice smile. And when it's time to leave, they give me the elevator all to myself. Now that's love.
Once in a while, I still ask a coworker if he's been snooping around my ipod. Everytime he emphatically denys it and gives me this wonderful speech about we're such good friends and swears that unlike some people he would never do that to me. And it's not just words to him; whenever he says it, he gets all choked up about it, and tears run down his face. He means it.
I never imagined just how much a diary could change my life. Start a diary today, and let the love in.