Keeping the Nasties Out! by Gary Woods

Security is the biggest word in PCs today because these days we're all under attack from people all over the world trying to get at our supposedly secure data. Here are a couple of ways that I found interesting to keep people out of your precious data.

Fingerpad scanners have become very popular. Among the best is the U.are.U. Personal ($99.99). Simply touching the device's Fingerpad, which plugs into your USB port via a long cable, can instantly log you on to your system, decrypt data, or sign you on to Web sites. The U.are.U device is extremely easy to use: Upon installation, a wizard pops up to help you register your fingerprint. And, whenever you wish to restrict a particular part of your system, you touch the pad to start the process again. (DigitalPersona Inc., http://www.digitalpersona.com)

Another option is Authenticam, $239 from Panasonic, a USB device based on technology developed by Iridian Technologies (http://www.iridiantech.com) The Authenticam scans your eye before allowing access to data.

The device is more expensive than the average fingerprint reader, but it can also double as a full PC video camera, able to capture both still and moving images. Initially registering your iris can take a while; the system has to take four pictures of your eye, and it can't do so unless the camera is positioned precisely. But once you go through the process you shouldn't have any trouble doing future scans. (Panasonic, http://www.panasonic.com/iris)

If you have any suggestions or questions for me please drop me a note at garyandlaury@santabarbaraproperties.com or see my column on the Internet at http://www.santabarbaraproperties.com or call me at (805) 729-0910