encrypted bits » United Kingdom

Really, I don’t work for RSA anymore

Kevin Bocek — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:19:29 +0000

Seems like all that I can blog about for a year is the RSA Conference. There are draft posts in my queue (mobile device encryption, Apple TV 2.0, data protection in Europe and a few more), but they never seem to finish themselves. I blame Twitter.

For those interested, here are photos from RSA Conference Europe 2009.

Encryption devices at RSA Conference Europe 2008

Kevin Bocek — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:53:26 +0000

A main attracton at the RSA Conference Europe 2008 was a collection of vintage encryption devices. These machines are incredibly intriguing and bring new meaning to mobile data protection. What would the magic quadrant for 1950 look like?

The obvious highlight of the display was an Enigma that raised a number of questions and was the main focus of hands-on demonstrations. John Alexander, an Enigma machine expert and collector, led a lively discussion.

Devices on display included: Heimsoeth und Rinke Enigma, USSR Fialka, Hagelin C36, Hagelin C38S, Hagelin BC38, and Hagelin BCX52

The Guardian recorded a podcast with John Alexander and Simon Signh dicussing topics that included Enigma and encryption.

Hopefully this display will continue and be expanded at both the RSA Conference and RSA Conference Europe. The encryption device display was organized by Victoria Worpole from Bletchley Park’s Education Department and John Alexander. Please help to ensure that encryption history is preserved by making a donation to the The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park.

More photos from the RSA Conference Europe 2008 are available on Flickr

Planning your intercontinental trip

Kevin Bocek — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:40:40 +0000

Sometimes my wife and I entertain the idea of moving back to Europe. But how? Thanks to Google Maps and know-how from Download Squad there’s a way. Google Maps now offers an additional mode of transportation mapping: swimming.

Plus, now with a traffic view in Google Maps (select land masses, not yet for oceans), the trip can be that much more faster and fun!

Vonage? Need to switch?

Kevin Bocek — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:16:17 +0000

As a Vonage customer since early 2003, I’ve been relatively happy with their ability to maintain service. But is the end near and is a preemptive switch needed? The financial community seems to already be planning Vonage’s demise following Verizon’s legal success. I find it hard to imagine that Vonage would disappear overnight leaving 2.2+MM subscribers without service.

Should a Vonage customer switch now? Packet8 and Sunrocket are two likely candidates. Both are offering interesting international calling packages. Another option could be cable operator voice. While living in the UK, we had a never used phone line from NTL that was bundled with digital cable (never used because the landlord required that we maintain service with BT – must have been a shareholder). However, I don’t believe the cable operators (Comcast for me) are providing deeply discounted international rates like the VoIP startups.

For the time being I’m staying put. Although there may be more incentive to switch since a new provider might support Brendon Wilson’s Click2Call Firefox extension.