Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Latest Development in Security...

I just got a spam email (using the Department of Homeland Security logo) trying to sell surveillance cameras. Here it is
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ISIS: New Video Camera Sees It All



The Imaging System for Immersive Surveillance (or ISIS) takes new video-camera and image-stitching technology and bolts it to a ceiling, mounts it on a roof, or fastens it to a truck-mounted telescoping mast

Like a bug-eyed fisheye lens, ISIS sees v-e-r-y wide. But that’s where the similarity ends. Whereas a typical fisheye lens distorts the image and can only provide limited resolution, video from ISIS is perfectly detailed, edge-to-edge. That’s because the video is made from a series of individual cameras stitched into a single live view like a high-res video quilt.

“Coverage this sweeping, with detail this fine, requires a very high pixel count,” says program manager Dr. John Fortune, of S&T’s Infrastructure and Geophysical Division, “ISIS has a resolution capability of 100 megapixels.” That’s as detailed as 50 full-HDTV movies playing at once, with optical detail to spare. You can zoom in close…and closer…without losing clarity.

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There is a link, but I am not clicking on it and I can't vouch for its safety, so I left it off.

Anyway, the point here is that it is EASY to find info on security systems. Want to have some fun, google a phrase like "hidden security camera enclosures". You will get links to companies that sell them. Peruse those links for a while. Okay, now go to Wal-Mart, a courthouse, the airport, etc. and look around. With minimal effort, you have just learned how to pick out most of the security cameras!

Okay, once you finish accusing me of "helping the bad guys", stop and think for a moment. I revealed nothing that is not publicly available and if some nogoodnick didn't think of this on his own, he probably isn't smart enough to get too far anyway. Besides, I am not the one sending these emails to random accounts!

The point is that there is a lot of info out there for anyone to find that can be abused. I have always thought a fun job would be a security expert, specifically, the guy who is paid to try and circumvent security systems. I ALWAYS want to do that...not because I want to steal anything or cause trouble, but just because I have ideas and want to see if they work.

There was a point to this, but I got distracted and went off the tracks...

5 comments:

kkdither said...

Cameras are EVERYWHERE. Assume you are always being watched. The only thing you really have to worry about with security cameras is that you will be caught doing something you shouldn't. The best way not to worry, is not to do it in the first place... That involves doing things on your computer you shouldn't too.

My job at one point was to watch a network of computers. You wouldn't believe what people do. It is not a fun job, because people do very bad things. It is like peeking into people's windows, or hanging around in alleys. It is not the glamorous job you might think.

Sassa said...

I remember a while back where a student build an atomic bomb from reading a book on 'How to'. That was funny. He did it for a class project. And he got all the ingredients. The book told him where to get them.

OrbsCorbs said...

Hackers make the best computer security experts.

I have mixed feelings about Big Brother watching us, but I personally use a camera to document/prevent crime and misbehavior. Kids smoking dope in the building's backyard? Snap a picture of them - they'll take off. Thugs and creeps hate having their behavior documented.

hale-bopp said...

So orbs, am I a thug or a creep :)

I get that some security cameras are necessary and I don't expect to walk through an airport or even a convenience store without some around. However, if I know where they all are and what they look like, then it's easier for me to get around them.

It's easy to find their specs. If I was serious about it, I would look up the field of view of each model of camera and all the tech details. Cameras are only effective for people that aren't smart enough to bet them.

OrbsCorbs said...

I didn't say only thugs and creeps hate having their behavior documented. I have a couple of friends who go to considerable lengths to not leave traces. And I don't want Big Brother peeking in my windows, either.

After the attempted car bombing in Times Square, I read about videos that the authorities were reviewing. I don't remember the number, but it was considerable. Those were mostly from security cameras. Like kk said, they're everywhere.

Just think, criminals today have to deal with cell phones giving people instant access to the authorities, and cameras to document events.