HP's Memory Spot Poses Security Risks Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20060719/tc_pcworld/126463
Hewlett-Packard's tiny Memory Spot chip is designed to put digital information on documents and photos. However, the chip's size and wireless capability can also be used by corporate thieves to copy and steal valuable data. While the Memory Spot presents an added security challenge for companies, the risk can be managed, said James McQuivey, a professor at Boston University's College of Communication. Unveiled on Monday, the prototype Memory Spot is roughly the same size as a grain of rice and can store up to 4 megabits of information. There are eight bits in a byte. The chip has an antenna that can transfer data at speeds up to 10 megabits per second and doesn't require its own power source. Instead, the chip draws its power from a chip reader through a process called inductive coupling, which allows power to cross from one component to another over a shared electromagnetic field. Data stored on Memory Spot chips could be accessed using a variety of devices, such as specially equipped cell phones or PDAs, making them suitable for a range of applications, such as stickers applied to a paper document or printed photograph, HP said. Other Possibilities Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
