Better than a password? Write with your finger.

A big part of any bring your own device strategy involves letting users access secure work data and apps from their personal mobile devices, something that often proves to be easier said than done.
As we have learned, over a third of mobile users don’t even use a simple password to protect their devices. They certainly wouldn’t want to have to memorize a long complex string of letters, numbers and special characters just to get access to it. Many network administrators have decided to use some sort of secure container for work-related activity, but users are still left with the hard-to-remember password. And passwords have the innate problem that someone looking over your shoulder can probably replicate it. Gaining access by “shoulder surfing” someone entering his password is an even greater potential problem on mobile devices, which are usually out in public where anyone can see what’s being typed.
At this point the IT department is looking for a compromise between increased security and usability. But why not have both? Secure Gesture from mobile security solutions firm Fixmo is not only easy to set up and use, but it is actually more secure than passwords.
Secure Gesture, which is powered by Lockheed Martin’s Mandrake Secure Gesture technology, replaces the password with a touch-screen gesture that the user creates, which could be signing their initials, drawing a symbol or anything the user can think of. It works with Apple iOS and Android devices.

A user can train the software in the unique gesture in under a minute. A series of tests ensures that the software recognizes the gesture and that the user performs the gesture consistently. For example, a gesture could consist of the user writing his initials and drawing a line under them from right to left. But if the line is draw from left to right, the log-in fails. Once the gesture is set consistently, the user can use it to enter the Fixmo SafeZone or another third-party secure container.
This protection is more secure than a password because the gesture is nearly impossible for another user to duplicate. Fixmo keeps track of not only the position of the finger as it traces the path but also the speed at which it is done. According to the company it is seven times as secure as a random 14-character alphanumeric password. And of course, it completely nullifies the danger of shoulder surfing.
Secure Gesture's unique biometric authentication could be what government agencies need to keep their work data safe on user-supplied commercial devices. To see it in action, check out this video.

Double Password - Strong Password Generator

Do you use strong password? If not Improve your computer’s security by creating strong passwords. Few computer users take password usage seriously. At least half of those that do are users who have a horror story to tell. Years ago I owned
a burglar and fire alarm company. I lived in a fairly urban county and break-in's were frequent. Time after time I went to talk to homeowners interested in a security system who told the same story.. They had been broken into and wanted an alarm.

It was always after-the-fact that they realized their need. The use, or lack of, strong passwords presents the same scenario. Computer users realize the need, but it's too much trouble. They put it off until after experiencing a loss, then, they want the best.

Darn those long, complicated, non-word, random digit passwords that you have to secretly write down somewhere in order to remember.

Reminds me of one other story. A local gentleman had his home broken into. I was called right after the police, and was actually there while the investigation was still underway. The gentleman had several firearms stolen, as well as a jewelry box and several expensive rings. The officer asked the gentleman if he had recorded the serial numbers and he replied "Sure, got 'em all". I watched as he walked to the bedroom, only to return a few moments later, face drawn and eyes downward. He looked at the officer and
replied, "I do have the serial numbers - they're in the jewelry box..."

Recording serial numbers and having secure passwords have much in common - they're both great as long as they're securely maintained.

I'm not going to give you any professional advice on maintaining your serial numbers, other than NEVER keep them on your computer, but I will offer up a great little program to help you have super friendly, super secure passwords.

It's called Double Password.

Unlike other programs that either require you to purchase a 'secure token' (which is a hardware key used in addition to normal password authentication), or compose super tough passwords with the inherent problems mentioned above, Double Password only uses a USB flash drive.

A small bit of code is stored on your flash drive that turns it into an extremely secure password generator. Plug your flash drive in, open the program requiring a password, and when prompted for a password, enter whatever simple password you've created. And Double Password will create a complex
password on-the-fly to open your program.

An added benefit is the extra protection it provides against keyloggers and spy programs. Although someone may capture your keystroke, they must have the USB flash drive to create the password to actually enter the program.

Use it to secure your laptop and/or desktop at log-in, use it to lock your Windows account, and use it at work. Double Password will serve you well, and prevent that dreaded moment when you realize you're sharing your personal information with unwelcome visitors.

Works with Windows NT/2000/XP. Shareware. The current price is approx. $29.00 if you want to continue to use the software beyond the 14-day trial period.
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