Questions on the threat model:
-Is the computer turned off or on?
-Do you want to a) protect your computer from being stolen? b) protect your weird fetish from being discovered? c) protect your online banking credentials?
Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
91–100 of 172 posts
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#92Earlier quoted context omitted.
So I guess the next step in the arms-race would be twin cameras (kinect?) to build a 3D image of a face. Then the bad guys would make a sculpture. Then the good guys could add some kind of mannerism detection (smile?, wink?). Then the bad guys would work on latex masks. ....I quite want to see how this evolves tbh.
Cloning. The end-game is cloning.
Not really, because it could require a combo of physical attributes and information known by the subject.
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#93There are bluetooth screen lock utilities that allow one to auto-lock and unlock the machine based on the signal strength of whatever Bluetooth device you pair it with. I would look into the hands-free Bluetooth speakers (meant for auto use) with a Wheelchair power to USB convertor (most likely the easiest would be via an auto 12V DC adapter). That way you can have a mic/speaker mounted on the wheel chair to control…
This is the most sensible solution. One implementation of this is called TokenLock. Never used it but it's $3 in the App Store and is pretty well documented, so I'd imagine the dev is pretty pro-active. Buy that with a $20 bluetooth headset to pair it with (make sure the range is as low as possible!) and you have a complete solution for the login issue for under $30.
I wrote a review for a $35 pair of NoiseHush NS400s. They are a stereo, behind the head bluetooth headset. So they also have a mic. They sound great, and pairing them would make an inconspicuous lock that most people wouldn’t thing about being theft worthy. but they do not work plugged into the charger, unfortunately.
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#94We have patented something called PassRules which does not disclose your secret during normal use. It's the perfect solution for you but unfortunately we don't have a version for Mac -- only Windows. But if there's sufficient interest we might just develop one. Check us out at www.itsmesecurity.com
Good thing you have a patent. Now, if you can't be bothered to make a Mac version, no one can ! (maniacle villian laughter goes here, don't forget to twirl your mustache)
Not true, we'd be happy to work with Mac developers. It's just that we don't have the skills in house. Any takers?
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#95Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#96Maybe some kind of NFC device that you could wear so that the computer would lock/unlock when you were near it ?
That would be perfect, but instead of wearing it I could have something implanted in my arm for instance; and I would definitely notice of somebody tried to steal the tag!
Plus just tell the theft that it's something helps you breath, if he continues stealing it you can raise charges against him for attempted murder!
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#97Yubikey would work if you could mount it so that you can touch the touch-pad with your nose. I don't know if that's acceptable to you?
Hi, that would be acceptable just not physically doable I'm afraid. My range of movement would prohibit this unfortunately.
Buttons are actually very simple devices, I've owned a yubikey (it got stolen, together with my other regular keys >.I'm based in the Netherlands so I probably can't help you, but maybe you could ask an electrician near you to help you with it.
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#98>>But I can't password lock my whole laptop because OS X requires that password before it will load up any applications, and I can't put a password in without my apps.
Why not just have the mac autologin and then immediately go into screensaver mode?
At the very least set /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app to open on start
Thinking about solving this programmatically, it wouldn't be too hard to set up a secure locking replacement for a screensaver that would offer a challenge response system to unlock the system without using a password anyone who hears could repeat.
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#99We have patented something called PassRules which does not disclose your secret during normal use. It's the perfect solution for you but unfortunately we don't have a version for Mac -- only Windows. But if there's sufficient interest we might just develop one. Check us out at www.itsmesecurity.com
This is a great example of how patents help humanity.
Help yourself and download our FREE versions for Windows workstations, Android devices, iPhone, and iPad.
Re: Ask HN: I'm quadriplegic – can you help me with my security?
#100If I understand correctly, you use neither the traditional keyboard nor the trackpad. Can you disable both, or at least configure them to be very difficult for the casual passerby to use? As an example, any non-traditional keyboard layout that doesn't match the labels on the keys is likely to confuse and annoy the average user to thr point that they give up very quickly.