Rugged keyboards and protecting laptops

Posted by rsanchez Published in Electronics, Gadgets

Taking a break from all the mobile phone news, we’ll be tackling a keyboard and some tips on how to protect your precious lappie.

The iKey Ak-39 Wearable Keyboard will type you to death

If you remember our post about the rugged Nokia, well here’s another gadget for you rugged-type geeks: The iKey Ak-39 Wearable Rugged Keyboard. It’s so tough, that it stands up to Military standards and cna be used in the battlefield.

The AK-39’s small-footprint design features essential components for military and public safety applications, including an integrated Force Sensing ResistorTM (FSR) pointing device with left- and right-click functionality, and adjustable green LED back lighting that is also available in a night vision (NVIS) compatible configuration. Designed with gloved users in mind, the AK-39’s snap-on faceplate eliminates accidental key strokes and can be easily removed to clean the pad.

In short, this keyboard may just kill you if you don’t handle it right. So far there hasn’t been any confirmation as to when this will be available to both the military and civilians.

How to protect your laptop info before a flight!

Since both the Nokia 3720 and the iKey Ak-39 Wearable Rugged Keyboard are still both not for sale, you’ll need to resort to preventive measures. If you have a laptop, you know you’ve got some info there that you don’t want any prying eyes to see. To ensure that your data will be safe while on a flight you should do the following (as stated in this article by Wired’s Bruce Schneier:

Step One: Before you board your plane, add another key to your whole-disk encryption (it’ll probably mean adding another “user”) — and make random
Step Two: Send that new random key to someone you trust.
Step Three: Burn, shred, delete or otherwise destroy all copies of that new random key.
Step Four: Board your plane normally and use your computer for the whole flight.
Step Five: Before you land, delete the key you normally use.
Step Six: When you’re safely through customs, get that random key back from your confidant, boot your computer and re-add the key you normally use to access your hard drive.

Six steps to data safety indeed! It’s not that the customs people shouldn’t be trusted but you’re just playing it safe.

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