Freeze turns phones into passwords

[somanyholes]

thought this might be of interest to some....

Core system software maker Phoenix Technologies announced on Wednesday an add-on program for Windows XP and Vista that links users' phones with their computers — walk away and the system will lock automatically.

The software, dubbed Phoenix Freeze, uses a mobile device's Bluetooth feature to pair a phone with a laptop or desktop system. When a user moves a certain distance from the computer, the program will lock the desktop; when the user returns, the program will automatically unlock the system.

They seem to offer some other services that look quite good. Have to say though i hope they have properly implemented bluetooth security and that the passwords for your machine aren't on your phone. i.e. if someone gets your phone they get your password. Interesting none the less.


http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/958

[Rik]

Interesting idea, So, but like fingerprint readers I'm left wondering what happens when the technology fails.

[Steve]

Interesting idea, So, but like fingerprint readers I'm left wondering what happens when the technology fails.

Although I can usually find my fingerprints but not always my phone

[somanyholes]

relying on automated systems isn't always good is it ...

[Rik]

Although I can usually find my fingerprints but not always my phone

Mine are all over my NC10 lid.

[Rik]

relying on automated systems isn't always good is it ...

No.

[Steve]

I would presume in this scenario there is an additional manual login otherwise just "borrowing" someone's phone will allow access. What class of bluetooth are mobile phones? As class 1 gives a max of 32 feet for connection which is a long way away.

Edit: Class 2 is 10 metres not class 1 which is 100 metres.

[somanyholes]

I would presume in this scenario there is an additional manual login otherwise just "borrowing" someone's phone will allow access. What class of bluetooth are mobile phones? As class 1 gives a max of 32 feet for connection which is a long way away.

as far as i can see steve this is only used to lock workstations not unlock them, so in theory the phone should not hold the password.. As far as distance goes it says you can change the power levels within the app to finetune the distance.

[Sebby]

Interesting idea, So, but like fingerprint readers I'm left wondering what happens when the technology fails.

I know what you mean.

[Rik]

Look, no computer.

[Simon]

I'd be reluctant to use such a system, as phones are easily damaged or lost, and what happens then?

[Rik]

You re-install Windows?

[Glenn]

What happens with a fingerprint scanner that fails, you log in normally 

[Rik]

Hopefully, there would be that safety net.

[Lance]

There is on my laptop, Rik

[Gary]

Same on mine, tbh the fingerprint scanner is a pain in the  anyway

[Rik]

There is on my laptop, Rik

Handy if you're using it on the high wire then.

[gizmo71]

I'd be reluctant to use such a system, as phones are easily damaged or lost, and what happens then?

Nothing:

as far as i can see steve this is only used to lock workstations not unlock them,

Can't really see the point though if it can't unlock them, how is it really significantly better than having the machine lock after 5 minutes idle?

[somanyholes]

Can't really see the point though if it can't unlock them, how is it really significantly better than having the machine lock after 5 minutes idle?

You really wouldn't want a phone that unlocked your box without your specifc approval. It defeats the point of having a logon really. With proximity you can at least know that you can see your machine. 5 mins is a long time. You can still be well out of sight of your machine in 1 minute and if your machine locked every minute that you aren't using it, well that would be highly annoying.