Tech Bitch

Ever felt somebody breathing down your neck when you’re working at your laptop? Quite often it’s just a busybody after a good nose at what you’re doing, but it could be a lot more sinister. Shoulder surfing is a simple yet very effective technique used by identity and data crooks to get personal and business information from your computer monitor while you’re unaware. According to 3M, 40% of information looked at on other people’s laptops is business critical information. Of course, personal e-mails or confidential documents to a colleague or a customer should remain private and confidential.

3M’s Vikuiti Privacy Filters (from £28.95/$39.95) are one of the most useful travelling accessories we’ve come across in a while. Ideal for the frequent flyer and high-tech commuter, the filter restricts the viewing angles (horizontal more so) of your laptop’s screen so that only you (i.e. the user positioned directly in front) can view on-screen data. From either side, your screen simply appears blank (black) - perfect for keeping prying eyes from your sensitive spreadsheets and yearly figures! The filters have another benefit - protecting your laptop or desktop monitor from scratches and other damage, as well as reducing glare.

Available in a number of sizes, from 12.1- to 19in. (up to 17in. widescreen), the filter is basically a hard-wearing plastic film. Featuring patented micro-louvre optical technology that restricts the viewing angle of the entire screen, 3M filters block out the view from either side of your computer screen without blurring or distortion. The filter can be mounted to either a CRT or LCD monitor, and makes perfect sense in busy, high-traffic offices and public access areas. It’s also available in a choice of black or beige, in either ‘flat’ or ‘contoured’ frame profiles to provide a match to your PC. The filter can be installed and removed easily, with no training or special technical skills required. In fact, it simply attaches to your laptop’s display or computer monitor using the supplied stick-on brackets and can be readily removed and stored when not required.

3M recently announced that the Vikuiti Privacy Filters are even suitable for use as privacy screens in e-examinations, eliminating the need for partitions or the other security measures specified in section 5.14 of the 2008 Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) standards for conducting e-examinations. The filter allows examination centres to site workstations closer together than the specified 1.25 metres without using cumbersome and costly partitions. These requirements are included in paragraph 5.14 of the Instructions for Conducting Examinations issued by the JCQ, on behalf of major examining bodies including AQA, City & Guilds, Edexcel, OCR, CEA and the WJEC.

The Vikuiti Privacy Filter is a great accessory if you frequently work in high traffic areas such as airports, aeroplanes, Internet cafes, and other public places. Relatively effective in helping to keep confidential and private information (or anything else on your screen) safe from snoopers, the filter even does a good job of never blurring or distorting screen data. We also like the way the filter reduces reflections when used with the matte side facing you, in addition to protecting fragile LCD screens from scratches and damage, and being easily removable. However, the brightness of your screen is diminished significantly, which may cause discomfort after prolonged use.

My only criticism is that the filter doesn’t filter as effectively as I’d have liked. In other words, I could still just about read documents on a neighbouring laptop - albeit after a little more effort than usual - and it doesn’t work if anyone is standing right behind you and looking down at your display. It’s also expensive, but so is your data. Not a totally effective solution, but as good as anything else on the market. [7]

Lindy’s USB VoIP Phone is no different to any other USB handset on the market - it allows you to take advantage of free and inexpensive phones calls over the Internet, with all the ease that is associated with using a regular phone. However, Lindy’s USB VoIP Phone (£21.99) looks a whole lot better than most products, and its two-piece design gives the look of a more traditional telephone. Its build quality is great too, and technophobes will love the oversized keys.

Once the handset is connected to your Windows PC using the built-in (non-removable) USB cable, Skype users will be able to benefit from the phone’s auto launch functionality that launches the popular VoIP software as soon as the handset is picked up. Lindy doesn’t supply a copy of Skype in the box, which is a shame for inexperienced users, but at least you know that when you download the software (it’s free, by the way) you’ll be getting the most up-to-date version available.

The black-and-red handset isn’t designed exclusively for Skype, as it’s also compatible with other popular VoIP software such as Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger. The handset comes with a handy 1.3m USB cable and can be desk or wall mounted (no screws or raw plugs provided). Furthermore, it requires no soundcard, eliminating the need to unplug your speakers. In addition to dialling numbers, the larger-than-normal keypad allows you to navigate through the Skype software on your computer and also has a quick dial function. Another neat feature is that you can rotate the handset and place it in the cradle for hands-free communications.

VoIP can sometimes be a barrier for technophobes, particularly if they are just presented with a headset and microphone. Lindy’s two-piece VoIP phone makes you feel like you’re using a normal telephone and the auto launch for Skype makes VoIP so easy that even your granny could use it. You can’t be too hard on a VoIP handset costing just of £20, but the lack of an LCD will turn off more experienced users because you can’t see the day, month and time, nor is there a counter displaying how long a call has lasted.

With the raft of VoIP phones on the market these days - including some rather smart wireless numbers - the USB VoIP phone from Lindy is basic but still one of the better models if you’re looking for the familiarity and comfort of a conventional telephone to help you experiment with VoIP. Needless to say, advanced users will be left wanting in terms of features, and those demanding the best audio quality will be better served elsewhere. [6.5]

Before you dispose or replace your computer’s hard disk drive (HDD), remember that all the data you saved on it - credit card numbers, business data, e-mail address book/contact list, e-mail conversations, financial data, legal documents, passwords, software license keys, personal photos of friends and family, and even your Web browser’s history - is recoverable. Did you not know that deleting a file does not erase it from your HDD, or that formatting a drive does not erase it fully? It’s possible - and sometimes quite easy using the right software tools - for someone else to recover your files if you don’t dispose of them properly.

Think of WiebeTech’s Drive eRazer like a digital shredder for HDDs. It works independently from your computer, wiping hard disk drives clean of all data. This lets IT managers redeploy or dispose of drives without fear of confidential data escaping your organisation. It’s also perfect for individuals looking to recycle their old PCs, or to donate to charities and schools.

Drive eRazer is an ingeniously simple and secure answer to complete data removal from HDDs. From the makers of the ToughTech XE Mini, the Drive eRazer doesn’t even need to be connected to your computer to run - simply connect the blue aluminium box to a HDD removed from your computer, power it using the supplied AC adapter, and then flip a switch. The downside is speed - erasing a drive at an average speed of 35MB/s means a 250GB drive will be erased in about 2 hours.

At the time of purchasing the Drive eRazer you’ll have to decide on a number of models, each of which supports different HDD interfaces. For instance, the DRZR-1 is the entry-level model (£59) supporting 3.5-inch IDE/PATA drives. Next up is the DRZR-2 Pro (£89) for 3.5-inch IDA/PATA drives, followed by the DRZR-3 for 2.5-inch IDE/PATAs drives (£89). Unfortunately, even the top-of-the-line DRZR-2-VBND (£11 only supports either 2.5-/3.5-inch SATA or IDE/PATA HDDs - there’s currently not a single boxed solution for all HDD types. Having said that, used with WiebeTech’s optional v4 Combo Adapters (from £29.99), the DRZR-1 and DRZR-2 can be used with many drive types, such as most flash drives, PCMCIA, ZIF drives and DOM drives.

The unit works by writing ‘zeros’ over every bit of your drive. After it’s done, there’s nothing left to recover. For those who want even more assurance, the Pro model is capable of more than one pass with different characters, ending with a complete zero of the drive. Using the Single-Pass Mode (Standard and Pro models) a single data pattern is written once across the whole disk, deleting blocks including partitions and Host Protected Areas. Verification is also done after a single pass.

Using Multi-Pass Mode (Pro model only) almost totally eliminates ways of recovering bits of data even after completely overwriting everything on the drive - so much so that Wiebetech believes the laboratory cost required to actually pull off such a feat would cost millions of pounds. However, if you must convince someone that there’s no way data can be recovered, the Pro model with the multi-pass feature is for you. Multi-Pass mode deletes all blocks including partitions and Host Protected Areas, even ones normally invisible to operating systems. It also automatically checks for and removes DCOs, as well as writes to every sector of the disk using different data each pass and verifies after the last pass that the last pattern was successfully written across the disk.

For further piece of mind, the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) recently (June 28, 2007) updated its specifications regarding sanitisation and the Drive eRazer meet all requirements for ‘clearing’ a ‘Non-Removable Rigid Disk.’ The specification requires destruction of a HDD containing government-classified data. As far as the DoD is concerned, Drive eRazer is as good as it gets without a degaussing machine or other destructive methods. Another benefit is that the Drive eRazer only destroys the data on a drive, allowing you to use the drive again or safely sell it on. It erased Mac, Windows, Linux, already blank, as well as home-brew formatted disks equally well in our tests.

Most people are comfortable simply clicking ‘Empty Trash’. The problem is that this data isn’t properly deleted, and can be recovered by a determined individual and forensic firm. Wiebetech’s Drive eRazer is a brilliantly compact solution for IT folks that de-commission a lot of drives. It’s a completely stand-alone solution, does not require a computer, is a snap to use, and is amazingly effective. It’s slow on larger drives, plus getting all the add-on interface adapters could prove expensive, but it’s an excellent solution to a growing problem. [9]

Lite-On’s latest external DVD writer is speedy, smart and pretty - and it costs just £35. Nice! Following receipt of the prestigious Red Dot design award last year, PLDS’ (Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions) DX-20A3P is a high-speed 20x DVD burner encased in a trendy black-and-white case. And thanks to the stand (included as a standard accessory), the drive can be mounted either horizontally or vertically to save deskspace.

The market is saturated with both internal and external DVD burners from a raft of suppliers, but the DX-20A3P stands out from the crowd thanks to its ‘Apple-like’ finish and attractive pricing. As silly as it sounds, there’s also a power-switch at the back of the drive (you’d be amazed at how many drives don’t have one!), so you can easily save power consumption when the drive is not used.

Similar to all Lite-On 20x DVD writers, the DX-20A3P incorporates the company’s ‘SmartWrite’ technology. This technology allows the burner to overspeed certain 16x media to 20x. SmartWrite works by optimising the writing strategy for each burning session. Using a smart writing algorithm and self-learning techniques, it detects and selects the best method of writing data for each type of media used, and then remembers that decision for future sessions. In addition to this overspeeding to the highest possible writing speed, SmartWrite technology is also well appreciated for its performance quality improvement on low-quality media.

More jargon comes by way of ‘Super AllWrite’, a compatibility standard which allows the DVD burner to write to any disc media: DVD (R/RW), DVD-RAM and Double Layer. This all-encompassing optical drive technology means you no longer have to worry about different types of media or drives - except, of course, for Blu-ray, HD DVD, and LightScribe, which aren’t supported. Thus, the purchase and usage of discs should be hassle-free and more accessible, especially helpful to novice computer users who do not always understand the differences between media types.

If it’s raw speed you’re looking for then you’ve come to the right place. The DX-20A3P writes DVD+Rs at 20x maximum (CAV), DVD-Rs at 20X (CAV), DVD+R9s at 8x (Z-CLV), DVD-R9s at 8x (Z-CLV), DVD-RAMs at 12x (PCAV), DVD+RWs at 8x (Z-CLV), and DVD-RWs at 6x (CLV). It also reads DVDs at 16x maximum (CAV), but has an unusually slow access time of 160ms. It writes to CD-Rs at 48x (CAV) and CD-RWs at 32x (Z-CLV), and reads CDs at 48x (CAV) with an access time of 140ms. Don’t get too carried away with speed: 20x maximum DVD writing can only be achieved with specific PC configurations and specific 16x media; plus you’ll get more burn errors at this high speed.

Those looking for an external optical storage device that is not only fast and versatile but doesn’t break the bank, the DX-20A3P should be near the top of your list. Having said that, you should be aware that Lite-On’s identically-specified DX-20A4PU (£49) sports an EZ-DUB system allowing one touch duplication of discs and files. Two touch-sensitive buttons on the top of the drive bypass the need to use computer-based software to accomplish disc and file copying. The ‘DUB’ button allows one-touch duplication of complete discs, while the ‘FILE’ button copies files from a PC to optical disc. Though it won’t replace software for more complicated tasks, it does provide quick operation. [8]

American Power Conversion’s (APC) Back-UPS ES is the company’s best value product for protecting your home office computer system from power outages. The major benefit of the weighty (4kg) charcoal-coloured unit is that it provides battery backup power that allows you to work and save files through short power outages. It also safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility and phone lines (coax cable surge protection is also included on selected models).

The Back-UPS ES is available in a range of models. The differences between each model boils down to how many devices you want to protect at one given time, plus the estimated runtime you require based on different power draws (i.e. 200W, 300W, 400W and so on).

For instance, in the event of complete power failure the entry-level 50-Watt (230V Output/230V Input) model reviewed here (£41.80) has a typical backup time at half load of 11 minutes (92.5Watts) from a full recharge time of 24 hours - dropping to 2.9 minutes at full load (185Watts). Generally speaking, each model gives just enough time to save a document and shut down your computer and other attached peripherals safely.

What’s particularly neat about the Back-UPS ES is that it offers both battery-protected and surge-only outlets. Each reserves power capacity and run time for connected equipment that require battery backup while providing surge only protection for less critical equipment. Power conditioning protects connected loads from surges, spikes, lightning, and other power disturbances, while data line surge protection provides protection of connected equipment from power surges on the data lines. For further piece of mind, APC offers a ‘Lifetime’ data recovery warranty in the event data is lost due to the failure of the unit (not available on all models).

APC has been making UPSs for years now, so it knows the market very well. The BE325-UK is a nice entry-level product particularly well suited to home workers. It’s a relatively compact unit (at least for a UPS!), is easy to hook up, and doesn’t require any computer software.

Additional features like audible alarms, an LED status indicator, user replaceable battery, push-button circuit breakers and transformer-block spaced outlets make the Back-UPS ES a cost-effective unit to protect your productivity from the threat of power outages and lost data. The only downsides are that it provides power backup on only two of the four power outlets and the warranty requires the whole unit be sent to APC, which would be costly due to the weight. For individuals who don’t need a whole lot of outlets and power autonomy, the BE325-UK would make a good choice. [7]

Iomega’s third-generation REV drive has been bumped to 120GB. Available worldwide in April as an external USB 2.0 and internal SATA interface model, a REV 120GB ATAPI interface model is planned for mid-year.

Compared to entry-level tape products like LTO-1 and DAT160 format tape drives, the new REV 120GB Backup Drive offers more native capacity, near instantaneous random access to files, faster backups and restores, and ruggedised cartridges - all at a much better drive price.

Each 120GB REV disk holds approximately 48,000 photos, 2000 hours of music or 12 hours of high-definition prOn.

Iomega introduced its REV technology with the first generation REV 35GB Backup Drive in 2004, followed by the second generation REV 70GB Backup Drive in 2006. Designed to provide the performance of a hard drive with the removability of tape, Iomega’s patented REV technology divides its components into a drive bay and a low-cost removable disk. The drive heads and electronics reside in the REV drive, while hard disk platter and fluid-dynamic bearing motor are located in the REV disk.

The REV disk is designed for zero maintenance, sealed against outside air contamination while in operation and when not in the drive. The virtual clean room environment of the REV system is supported by automatic head-cleaning, air filtration, and two-stage error correction for automatic data verification.

The REV 120GB Backup Drive features transfer rates of up to 35MB/s (max), estimated 30-year archival life, and an estimated one million rewrite durability. REV 120GB disks are also expected to be available in April in single packs and five-packs. Pricing for the REV 120GB Backup Drive and disks will be announced closer to product availability. Whet your appetite here.

White coats at the world’s largest processor monopoly manufacturer have built the smallest processor using the smallest transistors.The Intel Atom family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers arriving later this year.

Together, these new market segments represent a significant new opportunity for world domination to grow the overall market for Intel silicon, using the Intel Atom processor as the foundation. The company also announced the Intel Centrino Atom processor technology brand for MID platforms, consisting of multiple chips that claim to improve Internet in a pocketable device.

The Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new microarchitecture designed specifically for small devices and low power, while maintaining the Intel Core 2 Duo instruction set compatibility when using a standard PC. The design also includes support for multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness, said Intel. All of this on a chip that measures less than 25mm², making it Intel’s smallest and lowest power processor yet to dat. Up to 11 Intel Atom processor die - the wee slivers of silicon packed with 47 million transistors each - would fit in an area the size of an American penny.