Tech Skipper

One Leg of GSM Encryption cracked!

December 30 2009 by Adnan in Tech |No Comments

We have heard a lot that GSM is vulnerable to many attacks due to its 64-bit algorithm which cannot save it for long. However, till now no such big incident of cracking took place despite the fact that GSM is the most popular protocol for wireless communications and has been in use by billions of people. But here is a break, a security researcher (Nohl) is trying to build a table which will crack the GSM algorithm and here what he claims is that his efforts to crack GSM frequency hoping algorithm have succeed.

The purpose to spread the word is to make the carriers realize the importance of security in mobile networks. The researcher is publicizing a brute-force attack which when combined with GSM frequency selection algorithm can be used to create an easy and cheap procedure for eavesdropping on the phones which means the attack could be used to tap the call unnoticed.

Classic Options Possible on Windows 7

December 29 2009 by Jawad in General OS tips, Softwares |1 Comment

Thank you to Classic Shell for giving back the users of Windows some of the features they had been missing in Windows 7 and Vista but were present in XP. Biggest and popular most example being the Classic Main Menu. It is free and has an open source. Double thumbs up!!

It gives you the option to select both or either of the two features that have been made possible with Windows 7. First is the Classic Main Menu and second is the Classic Explorer. Main menu showing have the drag and drop facility and showing the recently used documents and navigation by keyboard. Classic Explorer puts an additional toolbar with buttons like UP, Delete and Copy/paste and many other changes. If you want one the second will not use any of your precious computer resources.

2011 and the New ISR Project

December 29 2009 by Jawad in Tech |No Comments

A new generation of bombers in engineering phase in the United States of America. This new generation bombers will apart from its task of bombing do many other things as well. These important tasks include information gathering and attacking the enemy without using explosive.

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The long range, ISR/strike aircrafts might have in them the laser, devices that produce high power microwave pulses and importantly capability of invading the enemy networks electronically. The new bomber will be a mixture of the existing bombers and Lockhead martin’s RQ-170 sentinel unmanned stealth and surveillance aircrafts.

Lt. Gen Dave Deptula, Deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), says:

LA Auto Show unveiling an Untraditional Hybrid – Electric Supercar

December 29 2009 by Jawad in Tech |No Comments

CMT-380 is what we are going to talk about. It is introduced by Capstone Turbine at the LA Auto Show. It is a conventional hybrid-electric supercar with normal batteries but under the hood lies the secret. It is powered by an ultra-low emission, range extending microturbine.Capstone microturbine is basically an ultra clean and quite jet engine.

Jim Crouse, Capstone’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing said, “The sleek-looking, high-performance supercar definitely raises hybrid’s cool factor several levels. The CMT-380’s design performance numbers speak for themselves: 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, 150 mph top speed and an unheard of driving range of up to 500 miles on a single tank of fuel, all with ultra-low exhaust emissions that rival any hybrid on the market today.”

The concept of high performance hybrid-electric microturbine car was developed by Richard Hilleman, Chief Creative Director of Electronic Arts. He was of course supported by Capstone turbine.

Comparison of Different Operating Systems – How To

December 28 2009 by Jawad in General OS tips, Softwares |1 Comment

Most of us spend hours looking for the perfect computer for us but mostly overlook the operating system ‘OS’. For a normal user it is a difficult task to choose an OS. Here I will help you know what to look for when choosing and OS.

The best way to choose is after comparison with other possible candidates. Some of the features and qualities you need to look for while doing so are:

User Friendliness
Compatible software availability
Capability to share files
Office Application
Multimedia
Programming capabilities
Studio applications

These features are briefly discussed below,

Future of Electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles

December 28 2009 by Jawad in Tech |3 Comments

Glaciers are melting at a rapid pace, temperatures are increasing, ozone is depleting, clean water is becoming a luxury, precious animal species are rarely seen, in short enthalpy of the world in increasing at a rapid pace. Everybody who is concerned about all the above mentioned factors will be extremely exhilarated to know that a new species of electric vehicles is not far away now. This is of great value to those who do not want to add to the damaging world. It is about time that the authorities too take a firm step toward the implementation of changeover from carbon emitting vehicles to new plug-in hybrids and electric cars.

Some of the predictions related to the plug-in hybrid and electric cars are:

Now Create Free Ringtones for iPhone on Windows

December 28 2009 by Jawad in IPHONE |3 Comments

Creating ring tones for your iphone, on your PC that too for free. Don’t you believe it? If not then better believe it!! It has become true in the form of iRinger. Another highlight of iRinger is that it does not need installation, simply double click it to run the application and export the ringtones directly to your iPhone.

The fact that such sizzling application can be free makes people think. Same question was asked to the developer to the application. He replied:

“iRinger has an advertisement window placed in the program which generates revenue towards iRinger. If you donate a minimum of 10$ US, a Donation Key will be sent to you as a gift! This key will close the iRinger advertisement window as well as unlock hidden features.”

So if you really is bothered by the popping up of the advertisement window then pay $10 and get rid of it and enjoy extra added features. It works fine otherwise as well.

Turn Your iPhone Into a Universal Remote Control With Rē

December 28 2009 by Jawad in IPHONE |1 Comment

A very interesting invention is going to get a red carpet welcome by masses in a couple of weeks from now at the Annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This gadget is called Rē by a Portland based company called NewKinetix. Rē is a universal plug-in accessory for iPhone that can surrogate any other remote control at home.

Guide to Download and Install ProSwitcher Beta Palm Pre like Multitasking

December 28 2009 by Jawad in IPHONE |1 Comment

Earlier this month we published coming soon proswitcher free opensource multitasking iphone app for jailbroken iphones. To have an interface where you can see all the applications that are being run on your iPhone at a time would be a delight. The expectations of iPhone users were fulfilled by ProSwitcher, whose first beta release was launched a few days back. It displays all the applications being run at the same time and gives the option of scrolling right and left for quick changeover. One application already doing similar business but not quite as good is Multiflow, its users would definitely like to try ProSwitcher for the following reasons:

To increase the visibility of the previews the background is dark.
A single clink on the [X] sign on the top left coner will close that particular application.
The dock can be made visible or hidden.
A swipe on the preview closes the applications in the background.

The central thought behind ProSwitcher is to leap from one application to other by simply leaving the previous in the background.

Below is Step by Step guide to install the beta version of ProSwitcher:

Find your lost/stolen IPHONE with IHOUND

December 28 2009 by Adnan in IPHONE |3 Comments

First things first, I know I am writing about a software which is there for quite a long time, beginning days of iphone, but according to my view, iphone became more prominent and spread lately so it’s worth while writing about something which can be truly advantageous ,even if it is old, to many who have been to iphone ship ‘lately’. OK, let’s get started then. As the title suggests, the software is going to help you recover your stolen phone. It uses GPS or a WIFI signal to send the coordinates to you. Yes, coordinates! which means you can pin point the device on a Satellite Map.

image: iphone location trapped

Other than that, you can even send messages to the iphone requesting the thief to return it for some cash. Funny stuff! but you can do it. Who knows, if the deal is successful ! Now one feature which I like is it’s alarm producing feature. So, if you lost your phone somewhere in the house and couldn’t find it, just don’t panic! Login to the iHound Software website and instruct your phone to make a sound for you. That’s special! right? What if the phone volume is low? Don’t worry, iHound is smart and this feature produces the sound at a full volume.

The following video shows some hands-on, have a look!

Download iHounds Software

Write an email to the author of this post at adnan@techskipper.com

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