Cyber Security Institute
§ Current Worries
Top 3 Worries
- Regulations
- Old Firewall Configurations
- Security Awareness
§ Listening
For the best information
- The underground
- Audible
- Executive Excellence
- Music (to keep me sane)
§ Watching
For early warnings
- 150 Security Websites
- AP Newsfeeds
- Vendors
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Federal government using PS3 to crack pedophile passwords
The U.S. Customs Enforcement Cyber Crimes Center (C3) has begun using Sony consoles running Linux to solve child pornography cases. C3 needs the processing power of about $11,000 worth of computers, which is now being provided by a network of PS3 consoles at a quarter of the cost.Though they aren’t using the new PS3 Slim (since you can’t install Linux on the new models) purchasing 20 old PS3 units is still about $8,000 cheaper than the Dell servers C3 had used previously.
The unorthodox console approach has been so effective that agents are scouring eBay to find the best deal on another 40 consoles to round out their collection.
Agents need computing power to break these codes because while a search warrant allows them to seize incriminating documents or digital evidence, the Fourth Amendment grants suspects the right to withhold their password information.