Hackers disguise phone as keyboard, use it to attack PCs via USB

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/hackers-disguise-phone-as-keyboard-use-it-to-attack-pcs-via-usb/

We've seen hackers use keyboards to deliver malicious code to computers, and we've seen smartphones used as remote controls for cars and TV -- but we've never seen a smartphone disguised as a keyboard used to control a computer, until now. A couple folks at this year's Black Hat DC conference have devised a clever bit of code that allows a rooted smartphone -- connected to a PC through USB -- to pose as a keyboard or mouse in order to attack and control the computer. The hack takes advantage of USB's inability to authenticate connected devices coupled with operating systems' inability to filter USB packets, which would enable users to thwart such an attack. While utilizing a digital costume to hack a computer is a nifty idea, it doesn't pose much additional risk to users because the method still requires physical access to a USB port to work -- and most of us would probably notice someone plugging a smartphone into our laptop while we're using it.

[Image Credit: Angelos Stavrou / CNET]

Hackers disguise phone as keyboard, use it to attack PCs via USB originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG G-Slate spotted in Korean music video, 3D cameras and all?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/lg-g-slate-spotted-in-korean-music-video-3d-cameras-and-all/

Oh LG, did you really think you could slip an entire tablet past the eagle-eyed gadget obsessives of Korea? The G-Slate has been one of the more mysterious devices launched at CES this year, but it now appears to have shaken off some of its shyness and made a cameo appearance on K-Pop star Seungri's latest music vid. Our Korean correspondents inform us that Seungri's band Big Bang has had a relationship with LG since the introduction of the cheap and cheerful Lollipop handset (video evidence after the break), so it's not unreasonable to believe this young chap has an inside line on LG's upcoming hardware. His video shows an LG-branded slate at 0.53 and 1.52, and although we get only brief glimpses, one of them suggests a dual-camera array on the back, which seemingly corroborates earlier rumors of the G-Slate bringing some 3D voodoo to the market. Skip the break and see for yourself.

[Thanks, Alan Yi]

Continue reading LG G-Slate spotted in Korean music video, 3D cameras and all?

LG G-Slate spotted in Korean music video, 3D cameras and all? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, teases white version for February

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/lg-optimus-2x-goes-on-sale-in-korea-teases-white-version-for-fe/

No big surprises here, unless you count that snowy white number up above. Yep, LG's not only stolen a march on Motorola in introducing the world's first dual-core smartphone, it's also about to beat Apple to the white handset punch as well. The 1080p-recording, Tegra 2-wielding Optimus 2X is now available in its home market of South Korea and, if LG stays true to its roadmap, should be filtering through into Europe before this month is out. We don't know if its white variant will ever escape the clutches of Korea (and we sure hope it does), but it should be making its bodacious debut over there in February.

Continue reading LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, teases white version for February

LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, teases white version for February originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists build double-floating-gate FET, believe it could revolutionize computer memory

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/scientists-build-double-floating-gate-fet-believe-it-could-revo/

Look, we get it, you want DRAM that behaves like flash, flash that behaves like DRAM, and everything in between -- speedy computer memory that doesn't lose its data when the power goes off, and lasts for years on end. Well, it looks there's a new challenger about to enter that ring -- double floating-gate field effect transistors, currently in prototype form at North Carolina State University. Whereas the single floating-gate variety is currently responsible for the flash memory in your USB keys and SSDs, the second floating gate lets bits of data stay in an active, ready state, but the computer can also apply a higher voltage to "freeze" them in place. Since the memory can switch between static and dynamic modes in a single cycle and the data never disappears in between, researchers imagine the new tech could lead to instant-on computers and power-saving techniques that shut down idle memory banks. That's the consumer take, at least -- find the technical deep dive at our more coverage link.

Scientists build double-floating-gate FET, believe it could revolutionize computer memory originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1.2GHz Tegra 2 3D chips suggested by leaked slide, coming 'spring 2011'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/1-2ghz-tegra-2-3d-chips-suggested-by-leaked-slide-coming-sprin/

Darn, we've barely started getting acquainted with Tegra 2, yet NVIDIA seems to already be preparing the stage for a sort of Tegra 2.5 -- a 1.2GHz dual-core chip that'll be marketed as a 3D-capable mobile processor. This T25 silicon is apparently set for mass production in the first quarter of this year, with availability coming up in the spring. Given the noises we keep hearing about 3D going mobile, this is one rumor that makes a lot of sense -- and even if you're a staunch supporter of the 2D creed, you can't deny that a sped-up Tegra 2 CPU sounds pretty delicious. We've managed to also track down some technical chatter about adding support to Chromium OS for a 1.2GHz T25 from NVIDIA, seemingly corroborating the leaked image above. Oh boy, it's gonna be a hot summer for mobile computing this year!

1.2GHz Tegra 2 3D chips suggested by leaked slide, coming 'spring 2011' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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