Clever illusion helps protect your PIN from ‘shoulder surfers’

Why it matters to you

IllusionPIN could help keep your PIN private by deploying an optical illusion.

A PIN password might seem like a secure way to lock a device but, considering how easy it is for a stranger to peak over your shoulder, it might not be that all that secure. Soon, an app called IllusionPIN might help protect your PIN by muddling the keyboard so the numbers appear normal from a distance but randomized when seen up close.

PIN sign-ins are a popular authentication method for various software and devices, from smartphones to ATMs. These relatively short string of digits are easy to remember but, for much the same reason, they are also easy to crack.

Nasir Memon

“The traditional configuration of numbers on a keypad is so familiar that it’s possible for an observer to discern a PIN or access code after several viewings of surveillance video,” Nasir Memon, a New York University Tandon School of Engineering professor, told Digital Trends. Memon said his team’s aim was to make PIN authentication more secure without requiring much more work from the device or making user experience any less smooth.

The app they developed uses a hybrid-image keyboard that tricks the eye when viewed from a distance of a few feet or more. The specific technology combines an image of a keyboard with a high spatial frequency and a different image of a keyboard with a low spatial frequency. The visibility of each image depends on the distance from which it is seen and results in an illusion that deceives the eye of a “shoulder surfer” so that the keyboard appears to be normal when, in fact, it isn’t.

To test whether IllusionPIN would actually trick an onlooker, the researchers performed 84 shoulder-surfing attacks on 21 participants as they entered their PIN using the app. In a study published online last one in the journal IEEE Xplore, the researchers report that none of the attempted attacks were successful. They also preformed one attack on each participant without using IllusionPIN, each which successfully identified the password.

“We also determined that IllusionPIN makes it nearly impossible to steal PIN or other authentication information using surveillance footage,” Memon said.

Moving forward, the team will explore ideas for deploying their technology on smartphones, ATMs, and computers.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. LG G6: Android heavyweights duke it out

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is one of the biggest and most powerful smartphones we’ve ever seen. It wraps cutting edge specs in a seductively stylish body, but how does it measure up against one of our favorite phones – the LG G6? Despite good reviews, following the Mobile World Congress unveiling back in February, the G6 has not met sales expectations. Does that mean you should pick the Note 8? We pitted Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. LG G6 to find out.

Samsung is looking to get the Note series back on track and wash away the bitter, charred taste of its explosive Note 7 disaster. You can bet the battery in the Note 8 has been well-tested, but what about the rest of the specs? Let’s take a look.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

LG G6

Size
6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 inches (162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm)
5.86 × 2.83 × 0.31 inches (148.9 × 71.9 × 7.9 mm)
Weight
6.87 ounces (195 grams)
5.75 ounces (163 grams)
Screen
6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED
5.7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen
Resolution
2,960 × 1,440 pixels
2,880 × 1,440 pixels
OS
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Android 7.0 Nougat
Storage
64GB (128 and 256GB options in other markets)
32 (64GB in select markets)
MicroSD Card Slot
Yes
Yes
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Samsung Exynos 9 Series 8895 (International)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM
6GB
4GB
Connectivity
4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
4G LTE, HSPA+, 802.11ac/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
Camera
12MP rear dual with OIS on both lens, 8MP front
13MP rear dual with OIS on one les, wide-angle lens, 5MP front
Video
4K
4K
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, heart rate, proximity, iris, pressure
Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor
Water Resistant
Yes, IP68
Yes, IP68
Battery
3,300mAh
3,300mAh
Charger
USB Type-C
USB Type-C
Quick Charging
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes, Qi and PMA
Yes, Qi and PMA (U.S. only)
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Color offerings
Black, gold, gray, blue
White, black, platinum
Availability

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

Price
$930
Starting at $650
DT Review
Hands-on review
4.5 out of 5 stars

There are a couple of clear advantages here for the Galaxy Note 8. In the U.S. it will sport the Snapdragon 835 processor, and in some other markets it will be packing Samsung’s Exynos 8895. Both are newer than the Snapdragon 821 found in the LG G6. The Snapdragon 835 is faster and more power efficient than the 821.

The processor is backed up by 6GB of RAM in the Note 8, which should make it a multitasking master. The G6 makes do with 4GB of RAM. There’s still some debate about how much RAM you really need in a smartphone, but, in theory, the Note 8 will be able to keep more apps in memory and switch between them quicker.

A brief look at storage before we move on reveals little difference. The Note 8 starts at 64GB, but there’s a MicroSD card slot in case you need more space. The G6 starts at 32GB, with the same potential MicroSD addition.

Winner: Galaxy Note 8

Design, display, and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is half an inch taller, slightly wider, and slightly thicker than the LG G6. Whatever way you slice it, the Note 8 is a very big phone. Both devices have dual cameras and fingerprint sensors on the back. They also both look and feel expensive. Samsung has gone with the same design as the S8 and S8 Plus, with curved glass back and front sandwiching a metal frame, though the Note 8 is a little boxier than its smaller siblings. The G6 is pretty similar, minus the curved edges on the screen.

LG started the trend of elongating the display with the G6, packing a 5.7-inch screen into a device that’s comfortable to use one-handed. The IPS LCD in the G6 has a resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 pixels, which gives it a sharp pixel density of 564 ppi. Samsung’s much large 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display has a 2,960 x 1,440-pixel resolution, giving it 522 ppi, but we don’t think you’ll be able to see much of a difference in terms of sharpness.

Both these phones are IP68 certified which means they can handle a dip into water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes without any damage. Drop either onto concrete or another hard surface and you’ll likely be staring down the barrel of an expensive repair bill. There’s nothing to separate them in the durability stakes.

Samsung’s curved display creeps slightly closer to a bezel-less design and looks a touch sexier, and its Super AMOLED technology is the current leader for brightness, contrast, and vivacity.

Winner: Galaxy Note 8

Battery life and charging

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the LG G6 are packing identically rated batteries offering 3,300mAh. That sounds like a lot, but these phones have to power large, pixel-packed screens. The Note 8 has a slightly bigger display, but it also has a more power efficient processor, so that might cancel out the difference. We weren’t wowed by the G6’s battery life, though it should see you through an average day with change. We’ll have to get some time with the Note 8 to see if it can do any better, but we suspect daily charging will still be a necessity.

We’re pleased to see that both these smartphones support wireless charging and they also have fast charging capabilities via their USB Type-C ports.

Winner: Tie

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung is really upping its camera game with the Note 8. There are two 12-megapixel cameras on the back, one with an f/1.7 aperture and the other with an f/2.4 aperture. That’s fairly similar to the G6 on paper, which sports two 13-megapixel cameras at f/1.8 and f/2.4. We love the widescreen lens on the G6, so we’re pleased to see it come to the Note 8. The wide-angle lens in the G6 lacks optical image stabilization, whereas the Note 8 has OIS in both cameras.

Samsung has also packed in an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with an f/1.7 aperture, which should be great for low light conditions. That compares favorably with the G6’s 5-megapixel, f/2.2 selfie cam – the lower the f-number, the bigger the aperture, so it can let in more light. We have to try the Note 8 camera out before making a judgement, so we’ll call this a tie for now, but it certainly has the potential to be better than the G6 camera.

Winner: Tie

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

LG’s G6 shipped with Android 7.0 Nougat with a few tweaks on top and a smattering of LG apps, mostly designed to take advantage of the 18:9 aspect ratio, which allows you to divide the screen into two perfect squares for multitasking. The Note 8 runs Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface on top of the very latest Android 7.1.1. Samsung is looking to add a lot of extra value with a range of features and options, including its own voice assistant, Bixby. You also get the S Pen with the Note 8 and a range of functionality and apps to enable you to sketch, annotate, and hand write notes. Whether you’re tempted by Samsung’s extras, or feel they’re superfluous is a matter of personal taste, so we’re calling this one a draw.

Winner: Tie

Price and availability

LG G6

If you’re looking for a catch regarding the Note 8, then here it is. This phone is very expensive at $930 unlocked. It’s one of the most expensive options on the market. It is packed with some excellent hardware and it sports a seriously stylish design, but you are going to pay a premium for it.

By contrast, the LG G6 started from around $700, but because it has been out for a while that price has fallen. Shop around and you’ll find that you can get it for $550, maybe even a bit less. We’ve seen a couple of big promotions that cut the starting price in half for a limited period.

The Note 8 won’t ship until September 15. But after that, both these phones will be widely available from all the major retailers and carriers.

Winner: LG G6

Overall winner: Galaxy Note 8

The design, display, and performance of the Note 8 are going to reel in many buyers. It’s the obvious choice for fans of a big screen and a stylus. But Samsung has also put some effort into the main camera here, upgrading the already decent shooter in the Galaxy S8 to fit in with the growing dual camera trend. The quandary is whether it’s worth several hundred dollars more than the G6. That’s debatable. The G6 is a great phone and an especially enticing bargain if you can get in on a promotion, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is the better phone overall.

Otterbox lets smartphone owners create their own accessories for uniVerse case

Why it matters to you

By releasing the CAD files for the accessory mount of its uniVerse Case System, Otterbox now allows users to design and 3D print their own custom accessories.

When Otterbox first released its modular uniVerse Case System it delivered an intriguing new concept for smartphone owners. The rugged case not only provided protection for mobile devices, it also came equipped with a specially designed accessory mount that in theory could be used to greatly expand the case’s functionality. In the months that followed we’ve seen an array of add-on modules introduced for the case, including extended-life battery packs, improved camera lenses, external speakers, and much more. Now, the company has taken the concept one step further by giving uniVerse case users the ability to design their own custom accessories as well.

Recently Otterbox released the CAD files for the uniVerse Case System’s accessory mount, giving designers and tinkerers the exact specifications they need to create custom add-ons for the very first time. The company also provided a few examples of what could be made using these files by offering downloadable patterns for a phone stand, suction cup holder, money clip, and even a bottle opener. Those patterns can be 3D printed and seamlessly integrate with the uniVerse for free.

In a press release announcing the availability of the CAD files, company CEO Jim Parke said “One of the core values at OtterBox is innovation, which is why we created the uniVerse Case System.” He went on to add, “We’re inviting the community of innovators around the world to customize their mobile experience by designing their own accessories.”

To make that process even easier Otterbox has partnered with 3D Hubs, which offers a network of more than 6,500 3D printers worldwide. This partnership allows uniVerse owners to not only design new accessories, but also locate a convenient place to have them turned into an actual, physical product as well. The uniVerse CAD files integrate directly into 3D Hubs’ own API, which means they can be uploaded to the company’s website and printed at one of its physical locations within a day or two.

Otterbox will further support this new initiative by attending the World Maker Faire in Flushing, New York, on September 23-24. Attendees of that event will actually get to see how easy it is to create their own uniVerse accessories and have them printed on the spot using a LulzBot TAZ 6 3D printer from Aleph Objects. 

Find out more and download the uniVerse CAD files here.

NordVPN’s Android app gets around China’s VPN ban

Why it matters to you

NordVPN’s new Android app makes it easier for Chinese users to circumvent internet restrictions.

Despite its reputation for internet censorship, China has historically turned a blind eye to the tens of millions of people who bypass its internet-filtering Great Firewall. But a recent government crackdown on abusers has made workarounds difficult to find.

Enter NordVPN, a virtual private network (VPN) provider that’s launching a new version of its unblocking software. The client, designed for phones running Google’s Android operating system, encrypts all traffic between websites and a user’s device and prevents the Chinese government’s software from monitoring activity.

NordVPN taps a network of more than 1,000 servers worldwide to route traffic around China’s Great Firewall. Users can hide their IP address — the unique string of numbers that identifies their device’s location — and use a quick selection tool to switch between servers based on their available load, connection speed, and geographic distance.

Of the more than 650 million people in China who use smartphones, almost 80 percent of them have an Android smartphone, according to NordVPN. Without the means to circumvent censorship software, they can’t use Facebook, Twitter, Google, and more than 135 out of 1,000 of the world’s top websites.

“NordVPN believes that online privacy protection, as well as access to the world wide web, should be available to everyone with a computer or smart mobile device,” Marty Kamden, CMO of NordVPN, said in a statement.

NordVPN’s launch comes as the Cyberspace Administration of China, the government body that regulates the country’s communications infrastructure, imposes new restrictions on internet users. In late August, it ruled that users would no longer be able to post discussion forum and social network comments anonymously, and in July blocked users from live-streaming video.

It’s part of President Xi Jinping’s “cyber sovereignty” campaign, a 14-month effort to clamp down on loopholes in the country’s internet restrictions.

“NordVPN stands for borderless and free Internet, and hopes to help Chinese users take advantage of the unrestricted global web with our updated Android app,” Kamden said.

The new NordVPN app is available in Google Play Store for Android. For users who aren’t able to access the Play Store, which is blocked in China, it’s hosted on NordVPN’s website. If you’re interested in more VPNs, check out our guide to the best VPN apps for Android and iOS.

NASA has a crazy plan to prevent the Yellowstone supervolcano from exploding

Why it matters to you

NASA has a plan to prevent humans from dying a slow, brutal supervolcanic death just in case.

Life on this little space rock of ours is delicate to say the least. Be it an asteroid impact, pandemic, or casual nuclear launch, there are dozens of unique ways in which we could easily too go the way of the Dodo. While we’ve spent boatloads of money preparing for a cataclysmic extinction-level asteroid impact event, there’s a much more imminent threat lurking just beneath our feet. The Yellowstone supervolcano is due for an eruption and could send us back to the Stone Ages in just a few fiery moments — but don’t worry, NASA has a plan.

A study by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory concluded that the Yellowstone supervolcano, a massive pool of magma beneath the national park, is a much graver existential threat to life on this planet than any potential large-scale asteroid impact event. There are 20 known supervolcanoes on Earth with a major eruption occurring every 100,000 years or so. Here’s the bad news: An eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano could bury the bulk of the United States under tons of ash and lava, change the climate of the Earth for centuries, and potentially kill millions in the process.

It is believed that the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts every 700,000 years, and the last eruption occurred 640,000 years ago. This means Yellowstone and its estimated 500 billion cubic miles of molten rock is nearly due. Fortunately, supervolcanoes only erupt once the molten rock is heated enough to become “highly fluid.” So how does one go about preventing this from happening? The answer, according to NASA, might be to cool down the molten rock before it gets too hot.

NASA estimates that a Yellowstone supervolcano would need to be cooled by roughly 35 percent to prevent an eruption. To achieve this, the agency proposes boring a series of holes to cool the subsurface magma chamber. The team posits drilling a 10 kilometer deep hole to tap into the hydrothermal water beneath and adjacent to the magma chamber. This heated water could then be cooled by pumping in cooler water, thereby reducing the overall temperature.

However, there are inherent risks to this approach. If the hole is drilled too deep, for example, the whole process could cause a depressurization that may inadvertently trigger an eruption — making a supervolcanic event an ironic side-effect of our preventative approach to said supevolcano.

It is estimated that such a massive undertaking would cost more than $3.5 billion. Although NASA does envision a return on investment other than annihilation prevention aspect. The team of researchers believe this heated pool of water and could be harnessed as a viable source of clean geothermal energy. This theoretical geothermal generator would utilize steam from the superheater power to turn a series of power turbines.

So in a nutshell, if this crazy plan doesn’t work, we’re dead — but if it does work, not only would it prevent the U.S. from descending into a post-apocalyptic nightmare that probably looks a lot like The Road; people in Wyoming might also end up with cheaper monthly electric bills. I know which one it’d prefer.

Hate numbers? The Wooden Word Watch spells the time out for you

Why it matters to you

Looking for a watch that stands out from the crowd? The Wooden Word Watch is a wearable that tells the time by spelling it out for you.

If there’s one bad thing about the popularity of smartwatches in 2017, it’s that they’re so darn mainstream. That’s great news if you’re a shareholder in Apple or Fitbit, but less good if you’re a tech-loving hipster in search of the next great wearable that’ll set you apart from the crowd. Well, weep into your Atari-themed cashmere scarf no longer because we’ve found what you’re looking for — and it’s available to pre-order on Kickstarter. Created by Harvard computer scientist Harnek Gulati, the Wooden Word Watch is a wooden watch that tells the time by spelling it out to you.

“It started off as presents for my closest friends,” Gulati told Digital Trends. “Back in college, I was really tired of not learning practical skills in school. There was a lot of theory, but I wasn’t implementing any of it. So I started building my close friends birthday presents, both as a method of learning engineering, and a way of making their birthdays a little more special. I couldn’t figure out a present for Andrew, my best friend, until 8 months after his birthday, when a girl sitting down next to me in class started researching wooden watches. I had built wooden clocks before, but never really designed something myself — so I took on the challenge.”

Gulati’s first version of the watch was bulky and thick, but he honed the design in subsequent iterations. The version he’s now bringing to market looks comparatively slick and polished, but retains just the right amount of its rustic DIY charm. This isn’t a smartwatch in the sense of having a bunch of smart sensors to track everything from your steps to your glucose levels, but it’s definitely smart in terms of its workings and overall effect. Pressing the button on it once turns on the word layout to find the nearest 5-minute mark. Pressing it again turns on the digital layout, while pressing it one final time turns off the display.

The Wooden Word Watch costs $219 to pre-order, with a shipping date of November 2017. Sadly, there’s no price tier available for becoming Gulati’s newest best friend, which means you won’t be on his recipients list the next time he creates a DIY birthday masterpiece. Still, ordering a watch will probably endear you to him a little bit.

Abode starter kit pairs with a voice assistant to protect your home

Why it matters to you

With its easy setup and monitoring capabilities, the Abode security system hopes to keep you and your loved ones safe.

You’re a strong, independent woman or man, so why depend upon a security company to take care of your home? Instead, just depend on your favorite voice assistant and a new security solution from Abode. Heralded as a “beautiful, easy to install, professional-grade security solution, the Abode starter kit includes a Z-Wave and ZigBee hub with a built-in sire, one gateway and two door/window sensors, one remote key fob, and one motion sensing camera. Connect all of that to Alexa, and start taking care of business — or at least, your property.

Capable of connecting to lights, locks, thermostats, garage door openers, and other smart appliances in your household, Abode allows you to automate and control just about every aspect of your home. Setting up the starter kit begins, of course, with the download of its companion app. Available on both Android or iOS, the app must be paired with each accessory.

As for actually installing these accessories themselves, feel free to leave your power drill in the garage. All wall, door, or window-mounted hardware comes complete with an adhesive backing so there are no screws or nails necessary.

Once everything has been set up and installed, you are ready to begin monitoring. The Abode Hub connects to your Wi-Fi router by way of an included Ethernet cable and power adapter and features a 93-decibel siren that will hopefully scare away intruders. Your door and window sensors are meant to track any motion and while the security camera and motion detector do not provide live-streaming options, it will take three photos whenever motion is detected.

As for the key fob, you can use this handy accessory to arm or disarm your system from afar.

Like other home security systems, aside from the initial cost of the hardware, you also have to pay for continual monitoring. The company gives you three days of free storage when it comes to keeping tabs of recorded events and other activity. If you are interested in temporary professional monitoring (for when you’re out of town, say), Abode charges $8 for three days or $15 for seven days of 24/7 monitoring.

You can also purchase cellular backup for your recorded content for $10 a month or $96 a year (which features a 14-day storage timeline), or pay $30 a month or $240 a year for 24/7 professional monitoring as well as cellular backup and a 90-day storage timeline.

The fact that Abode works well with Alexa, Nest, and If This Then That makes the actual monitoring of this security system a breeze, so if you are looking for a way to keep yourself safe, this may just be the way to go.

DJI offers hackers up to $30,000 to help find bugs in its drones

Why it matters to you

DJI’s new program might make drones more secure and could make hackers some money.

DJI, the popular Chinese drone manufacturer, is asking hackers to help make its devices more secure. The company announced the DJI Threat Identification Reward in a blog post on Monday and outlined the rewards, which range from $100 to $30,000 for uncovering vulnerabilities, depending on how big of a threat the hacker helps avert.

“Security researchers, academic scholars and independent experts often provide a valuable service by analyzing the code in DJI’s apps and other software products and bringing concerns to public attention,” Walter Stockwell, DJI’s director of technical standards, said in a statement. “DJI wants to learn from their experiences as we constantly strive to improve our products, and we are willing to pay rewards for the discoveries they make.”

The announcement comes as DJI has been grappling with threats from hackers, who have managed to infiltrate the drone’s software. Such bugs and exploits have so far allowed hackers to root the drones to get around built-in restrictions on flying speed and altitude. Some have even managed to circumvent geofences, which keep them grounded around no-fly areas, such as near airports.

The company says its new program is part of an effort to address concerns about the security of its products.

“We want to engage with the research community and respond to their reasonable concerns with a common goal of cooperation and improvement,” Stockwell said. “We value input from researchers into our products who believe in our mission to enable customers to use DJI products that are stable, reliable and trustworthy.”

DJI is now developing a website with complete details about the program’s terms and a form through which hackers can report vulnerabilities. The program will be accompanied by an internal review process to evaluate and approve new app software.

It is unclear whether the hacker community will take the bait and join DJI in its quest to find bugs. Some are skeptical about DJIs intentions. In an online conversation with Motherboard, Andreas Makris — who goes by the hacker name bin4ry, said, “I think bug bounty programs are a good thing in general but I find it funny that DJI, who did not care for security concerns of the community, now comes up with a bug bounty program.”

A beginner’s guide to Virtual Reality

With so many virtual reality devices available it can be difficult to even know where to start. Our beginner’s guide breaks down some of the big questions you need to ask before getting your first VR device.

Big name players from a variety of industries are all racing towards a VR goal, all of them using slightly different approaches. From price, to specs, to space available in your home or office, to equipment you already own, there are a number of factors that help you decide which device is best for you.

That’s the boat that I’m in right now. I’m ready to jump VR-laden head first into the world of virtual reality but am starting from scratch. I don’t own any VR hardware, don’t own a phone or PC capable of powering a VR device, and have had to weigh my options to take on this task.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of virtual reality devices or a spec showdown between VR powerhouses. This is a guide to the big questions you’ll have to ask yourself before you get your first VR device.

Read more at VRHeads

Redesigned Jaunt VR app hits Windows Mixed Reality next month

Jaunt has been working on immersive VR for quite some time now. It got an infusion of Disney cash a couple of years back and has been steadily adding technology like Dolby audio to it’s library of VR content. You can even check out 150 cinematic titles from the company on Oculus, Vive, Daydream, Gear VR and PlayStation VR, along with iOS and Android. Jaunt has just announced a new partnership with Microsoft, which will put an updated Jaunt app on Windows Mixed Reality by mid-October.

The collaboration also comes with Jaunt’s first original interactive VR film, Free The Night, directed by Nicole McDonald (Marry the Moon, Hue). The interactive film has viewers choosing lights from a city skyline and placing them back into the night sky as stars.

“Partnering with Microsoft for the launch of Windows Mixed Reality allows Jaunt to bring one of the largest libraries of high quality immersive cinematic content to one of the most prolific technology brands in the world. Microsoft’s significant investment in mixed reality speaks volumes about the future of this medium,” Jaunt CEO, George Kliavkoff, said in a statement. “Working with Microsoft to bring the latest version of our app to audiences worldwide has allowed us to continue pushing the limits of what interactive content has to offer.”

Source: Jaunt