Pidgin Security? Doubtful.
by insecurity on Jul.29, 2009, under Uncategorized
As most of you are (hopefully) aware, pidgin is a great multi-protocol chat client. It is a viable solution for many chat programs in Linux, but there is one issue that particularly bothered me. Pidgin stores your AOL Instant Messenger password in plain-text if you select “Save Password”. This file is stored in ~/.purple/accounts.xml . Needing a quick fix for this, I created a bash script to encrypt this file, then it will decrpyt it, run pidgin, and then remove the plain-text file after pidgin reads it. The solution lies in gpg encryption. If this does not work, check the bottom of the post for a workaround created by [EvilRobotDrew]
To secure your pidgin password using encryption follow the following tutorial (Right now this only works in Ubuntu):
**Before starting it is highly recommended you make a backup of accounts.xml in the ~/.purple folder**
3D Display is turning heads
by insecurity on Apr.17, 2009, under Uncategorized
The Graphics Lab at University of South Carolina have created a three dimensional display that is quite amazing. It works by projecting a high speed video onto spinning a mirror. The video, located here is very impressive. With this technology you can view a 3D image at any angle without needing special viewing glasses. The possiblities with this technology are virtually endless. Thanks to [novagtf] for submitting this link.
Super MultiBoot USB Drive
by insecurity on Mar.22, 2009, under Uncategorized
This tutorial will guide you through making a USB rescue drive, booting Grub4DOS, and loading Backtrack 3, Damn Small Linux, Belgian Federal Computer Crime Linux, Free DOS, Samurai Linux, Ultimate Boot CD, Ubuntu 8.04, and Darik’s Boot and Nuke. You will need a computer able to boot from USB, a computer running Linux (can be the same computer), a large thumb drive (I used a Kingston 16Gb DataTraveller), 2 blank cds, and a lot of time. Follow the steps below, all of them except installing Grub4DOS are optional. (continue reading…)
The Day the Zunes Stood Still
by insecurity on Dec.31, 2008, under Uncategorized
Here are the steps after it is taken apart:
- Unplug the ribbon that is attached to the battery
- Wait 30 seconds or so, then plug it back in
- Profit $$$ (just kidding)
- Re-assemble your Zune.
- Change the date on your computer to a time before 12/30/08
- Stop the windows time service. This can be accomplished by typing
net stop “windows time”in command prompt. - Sync your Zune.
This will get the zune up and running again, but for now, make sure you don’t sync again with the date being after 12/30/08.
Disclaimer: This might void your warranty, and while I highly encourage this, that does not mean I am liable for any damage or issues that might arise from performing this task.
