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Podcasts

When I’m travelling, I take the opportunity to catch up on podcasts. I always enjoy discovering a new podcast that is interesting for me, so I thought I’d share the current set of podcasts I’m subscribing to:

  • Security Now - Probably my longest running subscription, but I don’t listen to every episode (they’re 2 hours long which is quite an investment to make). Covers a wide range of security related topics.
  • Off The Hook - This is a recent addition to my podcast listening, from the 2600 people, and covers topics including hacking, phone systems, Internet protocols and security.
  • Intercepted - A newish podcast covering political events with a slant towards human rights issues.
  • Pod Save The World - Again, another political podcast.
  • DJ Cotts - The Aussie Hardcore Podcast - Music for working.
  • Keeping The Rave Alive - More music for working.

Maybe you’ll enjoy discovering some of these too. If you know of a podcast you think I’d enjoy, you can send me an email or tweet.

"Security Scanners" Again

Early this morning I was flying from Aberdeen Airport to Berlin for the Tor Metrics Team meeting. I noticed that they have finally put up some signage before the security area and writing this blog post I really wish I’d taken a picture of it just to show how ridiculous it was.

It didn’t have much information on it, but the information it had was almost laughable. For example: “The scanner is lower than a mobile phone”. As someone who understands radio, I assume they mean field strength, but they don’t specify this so they could mean height or long distance call prices.

SMS Verification

I’ve received an email today from Barclaycard with the following:

“From time to time, to make sure it’s you who’s using your Barclaycard online, we’ll send you a text with a verification code for you to use on the Verified by Visa screen that’ll pop up on your payment page.”

The proprietary nature of mobile phones with the hardware specifications and the software being closed off from inspection or audit and considered to be trade secrets make my phone and my tablet the least trusted devices I own and use.

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