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Motorola Uses NFC To Enable Touch-to-Unlock For Smartphones
colinneagle writes "A lot of people don't password-protect their smartphones, and even those who do employ a simple four-digit passcode to at least keep it a little convenient. Their phones aren't really protected, as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends a 12-character random password. Those who check smartphones 50 times a day would probably get tired of that. So Motorola developed the Skip, an NFC-based unlocking tool smartphone users can clip to their clothes. Tapping an NFC-enabled phone to the Skip unlocks it. The Skip also comes in sticker form, so users can install one in their cars or at their desks." That's why the muggers want your jacket, too.
That's a good idea. I think I'll do the same thing with an NFC tag and Tasker. You could also just use any old expired card with an NFC chip in it in your pocket. When I finally get my Pebble watch, I'm planning on having the lock disabled when they're connected to each other.
Tapping an NFC-enabled phone to the Skip unlocks it. The Skip also comes in sticker form, so users can install one in their cars or at their desks.
Or stick it to the back of the phone. :-)
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Actually that means that thieves have to steal two objects (that NFC thing added to your phone) instead of one (your phone alone). ...
Harder for thieves maybe, but the harder it becomes for them, the more violent towards you they can become. I don't think it's a very wise idea
I wouldn't mind the Skip plus four characters. Multi-factor authentication, so if the phone is stolen, the really long code is required.
I do this already -- you can split up the screen locker password from the password that unlocks the /data partition, so when the phone first boots, it will ask for the long password, then from there on out, one uses the fairly short screen locker PIN, and too many guesses will cause it to time out.
It isn't bulletproof, but good enough. I wouldn't mind having a NFC key as an additional layer though. That way, if I have the key with me and lose the phone, I have good confidence that the data on the phone will be out of reach of all but the more well-heeled folks.
> smartphone users can clip to their clothes.
Seems inconvenient. Can they build it so I can clip it to my smartphone?
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
nothing new here folks ....
NFC Secure ... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t3hh4xx0r.nfcsecure&hl=en
Of course there will be no government-mandated backdoors in this.
Why would there need to be? It is a matter of controversy whether passwords/phrases are protected from disclosure under the 5th amendment; but physical unlock fobs that can be seized definitely don't enjoy anything more than 4th amendment warrant requirements (and, on a bad day, probably not even that...) A physical fob makes the system markedly more accesssible to authorities, even ones acting within the law.
The 4 digit pin isnt to keep some hacker from accessing your phone. its to keep a casual acquaintance/friend/coworker/family member from easily getting access to your phone which has private content on it. Even them most vanilla person in the world has personal info. The wilder ones have self-porn. I dont use a password but I also never leave my phone unattended. Also dont have nudity on my phone...
Do you have passwords for other accounts on your phone? Contact info? Addresses, calendar invites? Call logs?
In Canada, a password means that the police require a specific warrant to access your phone.
If it's not protected, they can just put their dick in there if they're arresting you or even just asking you questions.
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ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
New tech startup called Snowshoe has an interesting take on this. Basically it's a fingerprint that already works on all existing touchscreens. Doesn't require any battery power. I saw their 5-minute pitch from the latest TechStars, seemed interesting!
Why would you ever need so many. Only allow fives tries a minute, after the twentieth try go into deep lock-down mode and only allow some admin password to unlock. There three digit password is good enough now.
Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
Those who check smartphones 50 times a day would probably get tired of that.
Further aiding and abetting their addiction is probably not a good idea.
Patent litigation: A doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction... in which everyone seems willing to push the button
Why would there need to be? It is a matter of controversy whether passwords/phrases are protected from disclosure under the 5th amendment; but physical unlock fobs that can be seized definitely don't enjoy anything more than 4th amendment warrant requirements (and, on a bad day, probably not even that...) A physical fob makes the system markedly more accesssible to authorities, even ones acting within the law.
Right, if they got your phone, chances are that they took it off of you, and have your Skip-Chip as well.
(Its actually not really even a fob, its just something to slide over your pants pocket or belt. (Better Picture Here).
Comes in a set of three, because you WILL soon lose it.)
But with an APP, and a cheap NFC stickers you can make your own with any android phone that has an NFC chip.
Some states are Not allowing mobile device searches without a warrant warrants, but that is a trifling impediment. When they confiscate your phone, they will certainly find your "Skip" or they will simply take your phone into their lab an crack it via other means.
This thing is aimed at the casual user that keeps their phone on their desk, and needs to keep it locked to keep busybodies away from it. Its not meant as protection from the police.
Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.