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Why don't they make HDDs and platters like this?

 
 
Martin
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      05-23-2009
Moe Trin wrote:
> On Fri, 22 May 2009, in the Usenet newsgroup alt.computer.security, in article
> <39c3f60a-b733-4571-afb0->,
> GreenXenon wrote:
>
> NOTE: Posting from groups.google.com (or some web-forums) dramatically
> reduces the chance of your post being seen. Find a real news server.
>
>> I would like a computer that uses the above. I want a PC that is free
>> of non-volatile RAM. The only two memories should be mask-programmed
>> ROM and capacitor-free dynamic volatile RAM.

>
> I assume you'll be programming the mask-programmed ROM yourself so
> that it doesn't contain spyware. Static (flip-flops) RAM will be much
> slower, and physically about 10 times larger.


When I did electronics at university SRAM was much faster than DRAM and
you didn't need the refresh cycles. Have things changed? They are larger
(physically) and more expensive because each cell uses multiple transistors.

Indeed wikipedia has
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_..._access_memory

Characteristics
SRAM is more expensive, but faster and significantly less power hungry
(especially idle) than DRAM. It is therefore used where either bandwidth
or low power, or both, are principal considerations. SRAM is also easier
to control (interface to) and generally more truly random access than
modern types of DRAM. Due to a more complex internal structure, SRAM is
less dense than DRAM and is therefore not used for high-capacity,
low-cost applications such as the main memory in personal computers.
 
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GreenXenon
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      05-23-2009
On May 23, 11:38 am, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
> GreenXenon wrote
>
> > Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
> >> GreenXenon wrote
> >>> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
> >>>> GreenXenon wrote
> >>>>> I am looking for a laptop that is NVRAM-free and cache-free.
> >>>>> I also need for the MAC address, IP address, and any other
> >>>>> unique IDs of my laptop to be in the form of capacitor-free
> >>>>> dynamic RAM, so that they will be lost each time I turn my laptop
> >>>>> off -- and make new IDs, IPs, and MACs, when I turn it on again.
> >>>> Wont save your bacon, they'll just keep track of the new ones.
> >>> What good will it do them to keep track of the new ones?
> >> They know its you.

> > How do they know?

>



> By checking where that traffic comes from.


Even if the IP is dynamic and in a wireless internet cafe?

What if I use a wireless router that is powerful/sensitive enough to
communicate with internet cafes at least 1/4 mile away from me and the
IP of the cafe is dynamic? Am I safe, then?

>
> >>> The new IDs will keep getting useless to them each time I turn off my laptop.
> >> Not when they keep track of the new ones every time your turn it on again.

> > They can keep track of the MAC addresses, but how do they know the
> > source of them if I can simply produce random new MAC addresses
> > [and get rid of the old ones] -- which is what I was thinking of doing?



> They can do it by content analysis too.


Meaning?
 
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GreenXenon
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      05-23-2009
On May 23, 1:06 pm, Martin <usene...@etiqa.co.uk> wrote:

> Moe Trin wrote:


> > On Fri, 22 May 2009, in the Usenet newsgroup alt.computer.security, in article
> > <39c3f60a-b733-4571-afb0-8aeba9e8e...@v35g2000pro.googlegroups.com>,
> > GreenXenon wrote:


>
> > NOTE: Posting from groups.google.com (or some web-forums) dramatically
> > reduces the chance of your post being seen. Find a real news server.

>


> >> I would like a computer that uses the above. I want a PC that is free
> >> of non-volatile RAM. The only two memories should be mask-programmed
> >> ROM and capacitor-free dynamic volatile RAM.

>


> > I assume you'll be programming the mask-programmed ROM yourself so
> > that it doesn't contain spyware. Static (flip-flops) RAM will be much
> > slower, and physically about 10 times larger.

>


> When I did electronics at university SRAM was much faster than DRAM and
> you didn't need the refresh cycles. Have things changed? They are larger
> (physically) and more expensive because each cell uses multiple transistors.
>
> Indeed wikipedia hashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_random_access_memory
>
> Characteristics
> SRAM is more expensive, but faster and significantly less power hungry
> (especially idle) than DRAM. It is therefore used where either bandwidth
> or low power, or both, are principal considerations. SRAM is also easier
> to control (interface to) and generally more truly random access than
> modern types of DRAM. Due to a more complex internal structure, SRAM is
> less dense than DRAM and is therefore not used for high-capacity,
> low-cost applications such as the main memory in personal computers.


Data remanence is a problem that affects SRAM more significantly and
longer than DRAM.

Capacitor-free DRAM is the best for preserving your privacy.
 
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GreenXenon
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      05-23-2009
On May 22, 8:40 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:

> GreenXenon wrote


>
> > Ato_Zee <ato_...@hotmail.com> wrote
> >http://groups.google.com/group/alt.c...g/ee897de1c338...


> >> Or if you are really paranoid use battery backed volatile
> >> memory and pull the plug to destroy the contents.
> >> Cutting the supply can be done with a reed switch
> >> which opens when they burst open the door.
> >> Works reliably every time.
> >> It's a commonly used security technique.

> > I would like a computer that uses the above.

>



> You can have one anytime. Just use a linux live CD system with no hard drive.



> > In my laptop they should be in V-RAM.
> > I don't plan to save anything on the laptop, which is why I don't
> > need NVRAM or caches. NVRAM and caches will store unwanted
> > confidential material no matter how much you try to erase.

>



> Linux live CDs do that fine.



Is Linux live compatible with currently-available laptops? If so, will
the CD work if I remove the laptop's HDD?

If this works, then part of my problem is solved.

Then next obstacles are figuring out how to keep changing the MAC
address and finding a wireless internet hotspot whose IP address is
dynamic.


 
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GreenXenon
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      05-23-2009
On May 23, 3:38 pm, GreenXenon <glucege...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 22, 8:40 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > GreenXenon wrote

>
> > > Ato_Zee <ato_...@hotmail.com> wrote
> > >http://groups.google.com/group/alt.c...g/ee897de1c338...
> > >> Or if you are really paranoid use battery backed volatile
> > >> memory and pull the plug to destroy the contents.
> > >> Cutting the supply can be done with a reed switch
> > >> which opens when they burst open the door.
> > >> Works reliably every time.
> > >> It's a commonly used security technique.
> > > I would like a computer that uses the above.

>
> > You can have one anytime. Just use a linux live CD system with no hard drive.
> > > In my laptop they should be in V-RAM.
> > > I don't plan to save anything on the laptop, which is why I don't
> > > need NVRAM or caches. NVRAM and caches will store unwanted
> > > confidential material no matter how much you try to erase.

>
> > Linux live CDs do that fine.

>
> Is Linux live compatible with currently-available laptops? If so, will
> the CD work if I remove the laptop's HDD?
>
> If this works, then part of my problem is solved.
>
> Then next obstacles are figuring out how to keep changing the MAC
> address and finding a wireless internet hotspot whose IP address is
> dynamic.


Oh and another hurdle is to make sure the laptop uses capacitor-free
dynamic volatile RAM.

CFDVRAM poses the least risk of data remanence.
 
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nemo_outis
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      05-23-2009
GreenXenon <> wrote in
news:57789bbd-51b6-48ef-b93c-:

....
> What if I use a wireless router that is powerful/sensitive enough to
> communicate with internet cafes at least 1/4 mile away from me and the
> IP of the cafe is dynamic? Am I safe, then?


What if you use a trained shark with a laser mounted to its head?
 
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Rod Speed
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      05-23-2009
GreenXenon wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>> GreenXenon wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> GreenXenon wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>>>>>> GreenXenon wrote


>>>>>>> I am looking for a laptop that is NVRAM-free and cache-free.
>>>>>>> I also need for the MAC address, IP address, and any other
>>>>>>> unique IDs of my laptop to be in the form of capacitor-free
>>>>>>> dynamic RAM, so that they will be lost each time I turn my
>>>>>>> laptop off -- and make new IDs, IPs, and MACs, when I turn it
>>>>>>> on again.


>>>>>> Wont save your bacon, they'll just keep track of the new ones.


>>>>> What good will it do them to keep track of the new ones?


>>>> They know its you.


>>> How do they know?


>> By checking where that traffic comes from.


> Even if the IP is dynamic and in a wireless internet cafe?


Yep, completely trivial to do that.

> What if I use a wireless router that is powerful/sensitive
> enough to communicate with internet cafes at least 1/4 mile
> away from me and the IP of the cafe is dynamic? Am I safe, then?


Nope, because it still ends up coming from that cafe.

>>>>> The new IDs will keep getting useless to them each time I turn off my laptop.


>>>> Not when they keep track of the new ones every time your turn it on again.


>>> They can keep track of the MAC addresses, but how do they know the
>>> source of them if I can simply produce random new MAC addresses
>>> [and get rid of the old ones] -- which is what I was thinking of doing?


>> They can do it by content analysis too.


> Meaning?


Its completely trivial to work out that its you again from the content of the **** you post.


 
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Rod Speed
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      05-23-2009
GreenXenon wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>> GreenXenon wrote
>>> Ato_Zee <ato_...@hotmail.com> wrote


>>> http://groups.google.com/group/alt.c...g/ee897de1c338...


>>>> Or if you are really paranoid use battery backed volatile
>>>> memory and pull the plug to destroy the contents.
>>>> Cutting the supply can be done with a reed switch
>>>> which opens when they burst open the door.
>>>> Works reliably every time.
>>>> It's a commonly used security technique.


>>> I would like a computer that uses the above.


>> You can have one anytime. Just use a linux live CD system with no hard drive.


>>> In my laptop they should be in V-RAM.
>>> I don't plan to save anything on the laptop, which is why I don't
>>> need NVRAM or caches. NVRAM and caches will store unwanted
>>> confidential material no matter how much you try to erase.


>> Linux live CDs do that fine.


> Is Linux live compatible with currently-available laptops?


Yep.

> If so, will the CD work if I remove the laptop's HDD?


Yep.

> If this works, then part of my problem is solved.


> Then next obstacles are figuring out how to keep changing the MAC address


Thats not that hard. Corse I cant tell you how to do that because then I'd have to kill you.

> and finding a wireless internet hotspot whose IP address is dynamic.


Wont save your bacon even if you do find one.


 
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Rod Speed
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      05-23-2009
GreenXenon wrote:
> On May 23, 3:38 pm, GreenXenon <glucege...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On May 22, 8:40 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> GreenXenon wrote

>>
>>>> Ato_Zee <ato_...@hotmail.com> wrote
>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/alt.c...g/ee897de1c338...
>>>>> Or if you are really paranoid use battery backed volatile
>>>>> memory and pull the plug to destroy the contents.
>>>>> Cutting the supply can be done with a reed switch
>>>>> which opens when they burst open the door.
>>>>> Works reliably every time.
>>>>> It's a commonly used security technique.
>>>> I would like a computer that uses the above. You can have one
>>>> anytime. Just use a linux live CD system with no hard drive. In my
>>>> laptop they should be in V-RAM.
>>>> I don't plan to save anything on the laptop, which is why I don't
>>>> need NVRAM or caches. NVRAM and caches will store unwanted
>>>> confidential material no matter how much you try to erase.

>>
>>> Linux live CDs do that fine.

>>
>> Is Linux live compatible with currently-available laptops? If so,
>> will the CD work if I remove the laptop's HDD?
>>
>> If this works, then part of my problem is solved.
>>
>> Then next obstacles are figuring out how to keep changing the MAC
>> address and finding a wireless internet hotspot whose IP address is
>> dynamic.

>
> Oh and another hurdle is to make sure the laptop uses capacitor-free dynamic volatile RAM.


Its pointless bothering about that, they'll do you on the **** you dump into the system.

Wouldnt save your bacon even if you did find a laptop with that.

> CFDVRAM poses the least risk of data remanence.


Data remanence is a trivial part of your problem.


 
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GreenXenon
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      05-23-2009
On May 23, 3:50 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:


> GreenXenon wrote



> > What if I use a wireless router that is powerful/sensitive
> > enough to communicate with internet cafes at least 1/4 mile
> > away from me and the IP of the cafe is dynamic? Am I safe, then?

>



> Nope, because it still ends up coming from that cafe.



But it will still be difficult to find me considering that so many
people are using wireless internet hotspots at a given time. Right?
 
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