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Gadgets, Technology, Public speaking and IT from an undergraduate's perspective.

Protect Your Wireless Network with MAC Address Filtering…A Bad Idea

To secure your wireless network, you can use a variety of means, and one of which is by selecting only what MAC addresses are allowed. This is known as MAC filtering, and it can serve as a basic deterrent against most opportunistic attackers.

However, just using MAC filtering alone will probably be a bad idea. It doesn’t take much determination or knowledge at all to spoof a MAC address. In fact, it’s actually quite easy to spoof a MAC address, and can be done within 2 steps.

Step 1. Download and run any freely available security tool, for example Nmap. Set it to listen in on network traffic and pick out the MAC address.
Step 2. Change your MAC address to the one you picked out.

In fact, Nmap even allows you to spoof your MAC address by running the “-spoof-mac” command line option. This was originally intended to hide the true source of Nmap probes.

If you don’t have Nmap, you can just spoof your MAC address with the software that comes with most operating systems.

Here are some examples:

1. Linux: ifconfig eth0 hw ether 02:a1:13:d4:00:12

2. MS Windows: the MAC address is stored in a registry key (location of that key varies from one MS Windows version to the next, but you can easily find that and just edit it yourself). Alternatively, download a free tool such as Macshift to help you change your MAC address.

Now that you know how easy it is to spoof your MAC address, start worrying even more, because these simple steps are run automatically and very, very quickly by malware. This means that if you are using MAC filtering to protect your wireless network, you should seriously consider something a little more robust.

The Best, and Loudest Alarm Clock Invention - The Screaming Meanie (Review)

I have trouble waking up, so I need an alarm clock that’s a little more effective than your average clock. So I did some sourcing around, saw a few promising ones, but finally settled on this….

The SCREAMING MEANIE.

Just the name alone will strike fear into any sane person! The Screaming Meanie has two versions, the Screaming Meanie 110 and the Screaming Meanie 220. The 110 offers just a timer function, while the 220 offers the alarm clock functionality.

So why do I say that the Screaming Meanie is the best alarm clock? Well it’s loud, for one. It offers 3 modes (low @ 70dB, medium @ 95dB, high @ 120dB) and high is crazily loud — like a fire alarm or something close to that. It’s 120dB! If you still don’t get up with that alarm, your neighbours will guarantee that you’ll wake up. Personally, I put it to medium, because putting it on high just leaves my ears ringing. The great thing is that the alarm is continuous! It isn’t like those alarms that, for some reason, turn themselves off automatically after X minutes. The Screaming Meanie just goes on and on until you turn it off.

Another great point is that it’s portable. It’s small, lightweight and battery powered (by a 9V battery), so don’t have to search for a power outlet or carry around wires. This is important to me because I only use one alarm, so it HAS to work. Even with clocks that plug in to the mains, you still have to worry about the power tripping. With the Screaming Meanie, it comes with a built-in battery tester so you know when to change the battery, so you can be assured that you’ll wake up without fail.

I chose the Screaming Meanie over other super-loud alarm clocks because with other alarm clocks, you can just hit a button and oversleep, but with the Screaming Meanie, you have to press three different buttons at the same time to turn off the alarm. So you pretty much have to be awake to do it because it takes both hands.

On top of the alarm function, the Screaming Meanie also has a useful countdown timer function. This is probably great for travelers because you simply set the number of hours and minutes you want to sleep for, without worrying about the local time. Instructions for the Screaming Meanie 220 Alarm Clock are printed on the back, so you’ll always have the instructions handy. Plus, it’s easy to read the time or set the alarm in the dark because of its backlit display.

The thought and effort that went into designing this as an effective alarm clock really impressed me, and I highly recommend this to be the alarm clock for anyone who has trouble waking up. I got my Screaming Meanie at Amazon for around $32, and it’s the best $32 that I’ve spent.

Specifications:
* 6 X. 2.38 X .75 inches
* 4.1 ounces excluding battery, 5.6 ounces with battery installed

More Cool Inventions! Top USB gadgets and Cool USB Toys

USB has always fascinated me — it’s amazing how you can transfer both data and power through USB. And many companies have leveraged on that to create some really cool inventions! Just check these USB gadgets that I found..some of them are positively zany - like the USB Chameleon, while some can really promise serious fun, like the USB Laser Guided Missile Launcher!

I think they make fantastic gifts too, because anyone can get a kick out of them. Especially since computers are so common too.

	USB BirthDay Decoration Kit Celebrate birthdays the high-tech way with this USB-powered instant decorating kit - it comes with festive lights and ribbons along with a birthday wish mouse pad and party hat! More details
	USB Mini Arcade Basketball You can take a break from your work day or homework to get in some quality court time with this USB mini arcade basketball set! You don’t have to wait in line at busy arcades - all you need is a computer with a USB port to start the fun. Great for challenging your friends and co-workers to see who can score the highest in a 30 second round! More details
	USB Missile Launcher The USB missile launcher is a simple, fun toy that fires three foam darts from any Windows computer with the handy included software. (Some enterprising hackers have also rigged up open source software for even more compatibility!) More details
	USB Pole Dancer The USB Pole Dancer is the perfect gift for a friend in the office, a bachelor’s party gag or the gadget loving guy. She (it?) will perform to the default dance track, or you can connect your MP3 player / iPod and she will dance to your favorite tunes, all the while moving to the beat of the song. It’s USB powered, so no batteries or software required. More details
	USB Airplane Powered Fan This airplane fan simply plugs up to your computer with a USB cord to set the propellers spinning. Uses a high quality quiet motor, so you don’t have to worry about it making excessive noise. More details
	USB Humping Dog USB Humping Dog is a unique USB toy for computers. Just plug it into an USB port and watch it in action. This spunky mutt will not stop, until you pull him out. More details
	USB iMood Clock Color changing desktop alarm clock (blue, green and red) that runs off USB, or even batteries if you want! Has 8 different melodies for the alarm function. More details
	Twistable Notebook Light for Laptop There are tonnes of notebook lights on the market, but beware because some have off-white (or even blue) lights, aren’t long enough or have inferior bulbs that blow easily or aren’t bright enough. This one is definitely a cut above. Produced by Thermaltake, the two LEDs are bright and are controllable by an on/off switch, and feel well-constructed. More details
	USB Laser Guided Missile Launcher There are USB missile launchers, and then there are USB missile launchers. This is the next generation USB Missile Launcher that features a powerful Class 3 laser. Powered by your computer, you can actually use it to properly aim at your foes in the office. Simply install the accompanying targetting software, then connect the Striker II™ toy to your USB port on your computer. Now defend your space with foam missiles and a real laser! Moves 180 degrees left and right, and tilts up and down 45 degrees. Awesome fun! More details
	USB Family Guy Stewie figure I love Family Guy, and Stewie rocks! So I thought this makes a pretty cool USB toy. Stewie responds to keystrokes with movement and sound! He blinks his evil beady eyes, menacingly waves his arm and his leathel laser lights up too. Ignore him and he will remind you who is boss with random phrases and action More details
	USB Circus Cannon You plug the USB Circus Cannon into your computer and then using your arrow keys and space bar, you can aim and fire at anything within 10 feet of your PC. It has pretty cool sound effects and shoots with authority. More details
	USB Chameleon With its bendable arms, legs and tail, you can place your Chameleon anywhere you want. When it’s connected to a USB port, it will randomly roll its eyes and stick its tongue. More details
	USB Tengu Working on your PC can sometimes be a lonely experience. Well, not anymore, because now you can get yourself a new buddy in the form of Tengu! He’s (though he might be a she…) a USB-powered gadget that lights up and lip-syncs to music, or your voice, or whatever noise happens to be banging around at the time. Tengu has seven different facial expressions, and when there’s no sounds to lip-sync to, he’ll simply nod off. As soon as he detects some noise, he’ll wake up and lip-sync along to it. Tengu is a fun little object that guarantees to raise a smile as he lip-syncs along to your favorite songs. More details
	USB Plasma Ball This is a miniature plasma ball which works in exactly the same way as the full-sized ones found in museums and in the movies! As a kid, I had always wanted one of these…on touching it, blue flashes of lightning will move to greet your fingertips. Just plug this plasma ball into any USB port on your computer, flick the switch to ‘On’ and watch as it comes to life! More details
	USB Mini Aquarium Watch beautiful tropical fish swimming and playing in these desktop aquariums and feel your stress fading away. They won’t starve, they don’t make a mess, and they just swim gently back and forth with playful movements. More details
	Homer Simpson USB Desk Light This is a cool looking USD desk light that’s actually Homer Simpson relaxing as usual in his armchair. Seat him right next to your computer — the lamp lights up when plugged into any USB port. More details