Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Daytripper

github.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 205 posts

Re: Daytripper

#21

Post by ComputerGuru »

the_watcher wrote: post #10

A version of this that's somehow aware of whether or not I'm at my desk, then puts the machine to sleep anytime anyone else touches a key would be kind of cool. Maybe some kind of proximity sensor that you could stick to a badge or in your wallet? It would need to still allow you to login and perhaps offer a password to disable in case you forgot your sensor, but seems vaguely plausible? EDIT: Read more of the usage…

Somewhat related, Windows 10 allows you to pair it to a phone with Bluetooth support. When you log into or unlock the device with that phone in proximity then walk away with the device on your person, your PC/laptop will lock immediately.

Re: Daytripper

#22

Post by smacktoward »

solotronics wrote: post #18
jszymborski wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> * Execute a custom script rm -rf /*

I have always been curious.. is there a better way of accomplishing this?

I suppose you could try wiring the receiver up to a USB killer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Killer)...

Though if you do that, you'll want to be extremely diligent about minding where you step :-D

Re: Daytripper

#23

Post by paxswill »

solotronics wrote: post #18
jszymborski wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> * Execute a custom script rm -rf /*

I have always been curious.. is there a better way of accomplishing this?

Use an encrypted disk, and overwrite the master keys (something like `cryptsetup luksErase ` on Linux, probably a combo of `fdesetup list`, `fdesetup remove` and `fdesetup removerecovery` for macOS) and then force a shutdown.

Re: Daytripper

#25

Post by evil-olive »

solotronics wrote: post #18
jszymborski wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> * Execute a custom script rm -rf /*

I have always been curious.. is there a better way of accomplishing this?

Use full-disk encryption (presumably this is table stakes for anyone with this level of paranoia) using two factors - your passphrase decrypts a keyfile, then the keyfile is used to decrypt the partition.

If you destroy the keyfile, then even knowledge of the passphrase won't allow you to decrypt the data. This can be used to defeat a rubber-hose attack [0].

Standard security vs. convenience trade-off applies, of course - if you keep the keyfile on a USB key, then if the USB key fails you lose access to your data. If you keep a backup of the keyfile somewhere else, then access to that backup plus a rubber-hose attack to get your passphrase allows an attacker to decrypt your data.

0: https://xkcd.com/538/

Re: Daytripper

#27

Post by rtkwe »

smacktoward wrote: post #22
solotronics wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have always been curious.. is there a better way of accomplishing this?

I suppose you could try wiring the receiver up to a USB killer ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Killer )... Though if you do that, you'll want to be extremely diligent about minding where you step :-D

You'd need to make sure it actually works, on Macbooks for example the USB ports are all fused so it only kills your USB ports but the rest of the computer is unaffected.

Re: Daytripper

#28

Post by smacktoward »

the_watcher wrote: post #10

A version of this that's somehow aware of whether or not I'm at my desk, then puts the machine to sleep anytime anyone else touches a key would be kind of cool. Maybe some kind of proximity sensor that you could stick to a badge or in your wallet? It would need to still allow you to login and perhaps offer a password to disable in case you forgot your sensor, but seems vaguely plausible? EDIT: Read more of the usage…

USBKill (https://github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill) lists one approach to solving that problem in its README:

- Set USBKill to watch the status of a particular USB port

- Attach a lanyard to a USB key

- Wear the lanyard on your wrist

- Plug the USB key you're wearing into the port USBKill is watching

Then anytime you step away from the machine, USBKill would notice the removal of the key and shut it down.

Post reply on HN