Up until a few weeks ago I could not fathom the need for a little device whose sole purpose is to move your mouse.  Then my company forced the active directory screensaver and password resume on my PC.  Even though that isn’t my primary work computer, it was starting to drive me crazy having to log back in every few minutes when I wanted to use it.  Suddenly, the Mouse Jiggler was looking pretty darn good to me!  In just a few short days of use, the Mouse Jiggler from WiebeTech has become my most valued office accessory!

The Mouse Jiggler is manufactured by WiebeTech, a company specializing in desktop storage solutions as well devices for forensic analysis (one of their tools even made it into the last season of “24″).   There are downloadable programs floating around the Internet that pretty much do the same thing, but this little guy has the advantage of being on a USB drive.  It requires no administrative rights to use and doesn’t install on your computer; it’s completely plug and play.

There are two versions of the Jiggler available, Fast and Slow, with the only difference being the speed of the mouse cursor movement.  The fast version moves the mouse quickly and constantly around the screen, making it good for practical jokes on a co-worker, but not really for work since you’ll be battling the runaway cursor.  Luckily, I was sent the Slow version to review.  It moves the mouse so slowly in fact that for an hour or so after I first plugged it in, I was convinced it was defective.  It was only when the thought suddenly occurred  that it had been an hour and my screensaver had yet to go off that I realized it was working just fine.

On the manufacturer’s product page the slow version steadily ticks a few pixels back and forth like a heartbeat.  However, in use the movement is much more subtle.  I stared at a still cursor for several minutes only to see a quick nudge in one direction, followed by another nudge back about a minute later.  I found no problems with taking control of the mouse and going about my work with the drive still plugged in.

Once inserted into a USB port, the green LED light comes on, then flashes in accordance to the number of minutes it has been active.  It registers as a Human Interface Device (HID) on your computer and goes to work immediately.

I’ve tested it out on an iMac and Powerbook (both running OS X 10.6), a desktop PC running Windows XP, and a netbook running Windows 7 and the Jiggler performs flawlessly on each.  I pretty much just leave it plugged into my PC desktop all day long and have seen no ill effect (i.e. computer lock ups, Jiggler overheating, computer slow down, etc).  As a test, I left it in over this past long holiday weekend and when I showed up Monday morning the computer was still “awake”and the Mouse Jiggler was blinking happily away

I’m hard pressed to find any negative about this little guy.  To those who scoff about coughing up $17 when there are the free versions of the same gadget–WiebeTech agrees with you!  They’re not telling you to hurry up and buy twelve, but to use what works for you.  The Mouse Jiggler won’t be for everyone–but for those who don’t have administrative access and need to prevent any computer from going idle for any reason, the Jiggler could be exactly what you’re looking for.

The Mouse Jiggler is available in both Fast and Slow versions for $17 through WiebeTech.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: mouse jiggler, Password, USB Dongle

WiebeTech Mouse Jiggler Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 5, 2010 at 2:30 pm.

Lots of passwords and private information? Use a lot of different computers? Having trouble keeping them all straight and secure? Splashdata’s SplashID Key Safe may be your solution!

The Key Safe is a key-shaped USB thumbdrive with a dedicated copy of SplashData’s SPlashID 5 on it. We’ve reviewed older copies of Splash ID here and here. The key itself is about the same size as a regular key and should fit on a keyring well. It also seems reasonably durable. It can hold about 2Gb of data, and the native program only takes up about 17Mb, including a sample database.

When you plug the Key Safe into your Windows XP or better or Mac 10.4.11 or newer machine, you are taken through a quick set up to set a password, etc. It handily measures the security of your password so you can select a good one. From that point, every time you use the key, it prompts for your password and autoplays the SplashID program.

SplashID is, at heart, a database. Like any other database, you gotta set it up. This is a rather tedious process, but the better you do it, the better everything will work. You have several editing options, including ‘mask’ which hides data under a series of stars unless you unlock it.

Mac interface

As in earlier versions, there is a password generator built in, and a web auto-fill option. Very handy! Your data is protected both by strong encryption and by the fact that it is on a removable USB drive that you can take with you, use on multiple machines, etc.

Key safe is portable, handy, secure, durable, and decently priced at $29.95. You can even use it as a thumbdrive, although you have to use the ‘explore’ option to bypass SplashID’s autoplay. (Note- items stored on the thumbdrive outside of the database are not protected.)

Key Safe in use

There is not really a downside here. The on-board manual is for SplashID5, not specifically for the Key Safe, so it includes registration data, etc. that is not applicable.  Otherwise the biggest ‘con’ (other than database set-up) is just if you really need this with all of the other options available to us.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Password, Security, USB

SplashID Key Safe Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 8, 2010 at 11:24 am.

I originally did a review for eWallet for the Palm OS about a year ago. I liked the program then, and I like eWallet v.6.1.4 for Blackberry well enough that I am tempted to just post the old review and stamp it ‘Ditto!”

The good news is that v.6.1.4 for Blackberry is so close to the Palm version that any migrating users will instantly be able to transfer everything over and get right to work. The bad news is that it is so close to the Palm version that the differences are hard to see.  Whatever you liked or did not like is probably still here. I reviewed the program with the desktop version at the same time.

eWallet is a security database for important numbers, passwords, etc. As the name suggests, it does this using a ‘wallets’ format, which are collections of what you might call ‘eCards’. Each ‘eCard’ is an e-version of some sort of real or imagined card you might have in your real wallet. Every one of your credit cards, library cards, ID cards, photographs, etc. can be easily turned into an ‘eCard’, but you can also make them for things like log-in information, family information, or any other data you want to protect. (I apologize for the images- my Blackberry screenshot program is not working the way I want. You can see screenshots on the website, but the cards themselves look very much like the desktop versions do.)

Desktop view

Sample card, showing other kinds of data

Since protection is the main thing, let’s look at the security first. As the site says “Trust your important information to eWallet’s strong 256-bit AES encryption – the same encryption method that US government agencies (FIPS*) require to protect their data”. Your information is locked behind a single password for rapid but secure access. Besides the encryption, eWallet adds other useful security elements as well-

• Password Generator lets you specify what sort of password you want- alphabet, numbers, symbols, capitals, length, etc. including whether you want it pronounceable or a mnemonic aid.
• An ‘auto-fill-in’ tool is included in the desktop version so you can save keystrokes when entering websites, and feel safe knowing that no other information is being traded or looked at.
• You can set the program to autolock at a set time, and/or to lock up after a set number of failed attempts.
• You can scan sensitive images (like your actual cards) and save them under the same password.
• eWallet can save over several computers- you can easily have multiple back-ups that can sync as you wish. Multiple backups have saved my neck a few times!

Password generator

eWallet is basically a database, which means at some point you have to gather the pertinent data in one place and in one format. It includes an Import Wizard to simplify this task, and can handle Excel, CSV format, and data from CodeWallet, SPBWallet, SplashID, and TurboPasswords (Cloak). Whether you import or add everything new, you will probably want to tweak everything so it looks sharp!

The database element

Newly imported information will be presented on plain white cards, which you then improve with built-in editing tools, free down-loadable icons and backgrounds, or your own images. While the tools rarely allow you to make eCards that are identical to the plastic version, you can still make them darn attractive. If you want ‘look alikes’, you can always scan the cards in and set them as backgrounds. The results will look almost identical on either the computer or the handheld.

One of the visual editing screens

The desktop version that adds a lot of value. Not only does the desktop version make it easier to edit or create cards, it offers a secondary storage site and helps coordinates other back-ups. It also offers the aforementioned fill-in tool. The sync works nicely and nearly invisibly.  My only beef here is that the Blackberry version syncs through the Blackberry Desktop Manager, which is not high on my favorite programs list.

I admit to not being a big fan of security products like this. Even with wizards, there seems to be a lot of work getting everything set up, and on my Palm, I preferred the simplicity of a password-protected notepad replacement program, then I just kept all of my important stuff there. However, I do like eWallet- it works nicely without getting in my way too much and with a little effort you can make the cards very attractive and interesting.  I certainly like it better than the clunky ‘Password Manager’ bundled with my Blackberry!

Filed in categories: Blackberry related

Tagged: Blackberry, ID, Password, Security

Ilium Software’s eWallet for Blackberry originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 21, 2009 at 9:48 pm.

Security is important to all of us and when it comes to technology our passwords are often a critical component.  Everyone knows that our passwords are only as good as we make them.  It is crucial that a password is not easy to guess.  No names, birth dates, need to use both upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.

The problem is how do we remember them all  because if you have a complex password written on a post-it hid under your keyboard, what good does that do.  Personally, I have a lot of different passwords for different web applications and databases.  The only reason I still use my decade old Palm V is because it has a reliable password application called Keyring.  Maybe it is time for me to finally retire my Palm V.

Today I am reviewing the Atek Logio Secure Password Organizer.  Let’s see how it stacks up as a password repository solution.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

• Data protected by sophisticated AES encryption implementation
• Set up your own master passcode and change it whenever you want
• Store website names and/or addresses, user IDs, and passwords
• Store desktop logins, ATM and debit card pin codes, credit card numbers, frequent flyer program numbers, password and driver’s license numbers, etc.
• Holds over 200 records – no data loss if battery runs down
• Save your three favorite user IDs for easy entry in records
• Generate random passwords automatically or manually enter numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and punctuation marks
• Quick entry of special characters for Web and email addresses
• Go directly to records by pushing the number or letter at the beginning of the record you are looking for
• Audible button tones for easy operation
• Optional display of lost and found information
• User-configurable settings for button tone volume, screen contrast, and auto-off time
• Advanced navigation and editing functions for power users
• Available in two colors: black and white
• One year limited warranty

IN THE BOX:

• White Logio Secure Password Organizer
• White carrying pouch
• White lanyard
• Coin cell battery
• Lanyard safety instructions and installation manual
• User’s Manual

The device is nicely package in a compact, clear blister package.  The packaging is rather difficult to get through, even though it has a perforated opening in the rear.  If the device provides as much security as the blister pack, it will be a very good investment.

At first touch, the Logio Secure Password Organizer feels more like a cheap novelty item then a robust gadget.  Roughly the size of a credit card and constructed of flimsy, thin plastic, it is very light but fails to pass the creak and crackle test on nearly every touch.  I am not sure this unit will be able to survive much wear and tear.

The functional layout of the device is very straightforward, in that all the buttons are on the front-face of the device.  Twenty-three buttons comprise all of the user options.  The alpha-numeric keys are just like the ones on a standard phone.  The number 2 button is also “ABC”, 3 is “DEF”……9 is “WXYZ”.  This gives all the alpha-numeric options with ten buttons.  The negative is it can take multiple presses for some letters.  For instance, “S” and “Z” both require users to hit the button four times.  To enter the “7″ or “9″ requires five times.

The alpha-numeric buttons are surrounded by miscellaneous buttons.  Two of these buttons are dedicated for the routine text and symbols that you might need to track for web sites passwords, “http://, www., @” and “.com, .net, .org”.  Added convenience for the user although I am not sure I would really need the “http://” as I tend to just record site information without the preface.

I inserted the CR2016 coin cell battery via the slide load mechanism located on the left side of the device and powered it up by pressing the power button in the upper right corner.  Immediately I stepped back into time.  Into the time of dot matrix computer screens.  The screen lacks any backlight and I found that I had to adjust the contrast to the highest setting to see the display.

One of the first steps of the initial set-up is to establish a master password which is 8 to 15 characters in length and is only numbers, no letters.  It is critical to remember this password because there is no method to reset and recover if you lose/forget it.  I know this is for security purposes but users really need to make sure their master password is something they easily remember or the device can become worthless.

Other initial set-up steps include lost and found information (name & phone number), tone volume, auto-off time and contrast level.  The set-up also provides users with the options of storing up to three commonly used user ids.  So if you normally use “1CoolDude” as your username when creating an account, you can save that id and you will not have to type it in every time you create a new username/password account.  That is pretty cool.

I selected ten accounts and decided to load them in.  Unfortunately, that is where my disappointment started.  Manipulating the keypad to enter account information is not easy, to say the least.  I had difficulty, especially when I made a typing mistake.  Not easy to fix.  First you have to maneuver to the incorrect letter or number, once it is flashing you press the “Edit, Del” key.  Not like your expectations from a standard keyboard operation.

I should have known that the Atek Logio Secure Password Organizer was not going to be as easy to operate as I had hoped when I noticed the user manual was 55 pages in length.  YIKES!

To make it worse, the device would sporadically turn itself off.  I thought it might be a bad battery, so I bought a new one and installed it but the failure mode persisted throughout  the review.   I never could determine the failure mode that caused it shut down but it definitely made it more difficult to complete the review.

The accessories include a leather carrying pouch with soft plush lining to protect the device.  As I mentioned previously, touching this device makes you believe you need a Hummer to protect it from shattering into a million tiny pieces.

The included lanyard connects to the unit via what looks like fishing line pushed through a tiny pass-through in the upper left corner.  Now I know that some fishing line can be very strong but it just looks not expensive and not durable.

In conclusion, the premise behind the Atek Logio Secure Password Organizer is sound and I am sure that there is a huge consumer market for a reliable tool to help manage passwords.  The compact size, ability to store your 3 favorite usernames, not losing data when the battery is removed and dedicated buttons for commonly entered text are the biggest positives from the device.

Unfortunately there are some definite negatives that outweigh the positives.  The biggest is probably the impression of  inexpensive manufacturing.  In other words, it feel cheap.  There were times when I was using the keypad that I was concerned I might press too hard and shatter the unit into pieces.  That might have been a factor in why the unit I utilized for this review kept sporadically shutting down.  I might have pressed hard enough to break something internally.

I found it difficult to use (remember the user manual is 55 pages long) and the old school dot matrix display without any backlighting is horrible.  Considering it all, I would not recommend the Atek Logio Secure Password Organizer as a password management solution.  Looks like my Palm V will survive another day.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous

Tagged: Add new tag, Password, Security

Atek Logio Secure Password Organizer Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 5, 2009 at 1:00 am.