cards

Chinese hackers targeting smart cards to grab U.S. defense data

Hackers in China have found a way to infiltrate supposedly secure smart cards used by U.S. government employees, according to security company AlienVault.

The security firm said it has seen dozens of such attacks, which tap into a unique variant of a nasty bit of malware known as Sykipot.

The hackers appear intent on stealing data from the Department of Defense and other related agencies. The malware is capable of capturing the PIN numbers used by government smart cards, thereby allowing access to supposedly secure information.

"Like we have shown with previous Sykipot attacks, the attackers use a … Read more

SanDisk on new XQD memory card format: 'Meh'

In a decision inauspicious for XQD, SanDisk is skipping over the new memory card format for high-end cameras.

"At this time, SanDisk has chosen not to productize the XQD format," SanDisk spokeswoman Wendy Vlieks told CNET News late yesterday.

The ringing non-endorsement is particularly notable since SanDisk helped create the format in the first place.

The comment also means that XQD--developed by the CompactFlash Association (CFA) as a successor to CF cards--currently lacks support from the two top-tier flash card makers. The other, Lexar, was noncommittal about XQD last week: "As a leading CFA member, Lexar has … Read more

Need room for 4,000 photos? Try SanDisk's 128GB SD card

It's flash card season at CES (especially given the shutterbug boost by the conjoined Photo Marketing Association show), and SanDisk has a contribution with high-capacity mid-range SDXC cards.

The two SanDisk Extreme models, 64GB and 128GB, can transfer data at 45MBps. That's less than half the speed of the company's top-end Extreme Pro line of SD cards at 95MBps, but it should be good enough for many photographers and videographers.

The high capacity comes with a price premium--prices for the cards are $200 and $400--but could be useful for those shooting lots of video or traveling away … Read more

Mimoco uses the Force to make media card readers cool

LAS VEGAS--I am such a sucker for "Star Wars"-related merchandise--well, with the exception of burgers--so it was no surprise that I squealed with delight when I saw Mimoco's new media card readers.

Known for its line of adorable flash drives, Mimoco is branching out with its Mimomicro line of USB drive and media card readers. Announced at CES 2012, the Mimomicro is expected to ship in March and offers a geektastic way for carrying and sharing your files.

The Mimomicro features a slot for your microSD card and a flip-out USB plug (no need … Read more

Lexar deals out a 600X hand of SDXC memory cards

Lexar announced a gaggle of new SD memory cards at CES today, with 400X and 600X data-transfer speeds to keep up with professionals' needs higher resolution videos and photos.

The SDHC and SDXC cards use the UHS-I interface for faster transfer speeds (SDXC is a newer version of the SD standard that extends to higher memory capacities.) Most of them will arrive in February, but Lexar is particularly chuffed about a 400X 128GB SDXC card due in April that the company boasts will be the first at that capacity using UHS-I.

For those who prefer absolutes, 400X translates to 60MBps … Read more

Sony launches first XQD cards. Step aside, CompactFlash

Just in time for the flagship Nikon D4 SLR, Sony has announced an XQD flash memory card--the first example of a new format developed with better speed and capacity than its CompactFlash predecessor.

Most devices these days use smaller SD Card technology, but high-end SLR cameras from Canon, Nikon, and Sony still keep CompactFlash alive for performance and capacity reasons. The new XQD format follows in the same direction, trying to keep ahead of SD by borrowing the PCI Express (PCIe) high-speed serial communications link interface from computers.

Sony announced two models of the card, the 16GB QD-H16 card for $… Read more

Anti-loss device for the careless

Many a harried person (this writer included) has left a wallet in a taxi, bus, or even restaurant, so imagine if you got an alert each time you've been careless.

For that purpose, Singapore-based company Innova Technology has developed "anti-Loss" (aL), which is basically a Bluetooth smart card. Due to its thin and small form factor (similar to two credit cards stacked together), you can place aL in your wallet, bag, passport cover, or anywhere you fancy.

aL pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth and is activated via an app. Using this app, you can set an alarm to go off each time aL is separated from your phone (the distance is set by the user).

Via the app, you can also triangulate the last known location of aL (and thus your wallet) via GPS. However, it is currently unable to track movements (e.g., if your wallet is stolen). … Read more

Lexar pushes CompactFlash speeds with 1000X cards

Lexar announced a 1000X-rated CompactFlash memory card line today that the company guarantees can keep pace with professional-quality video recording.

The 1X speed from days of yore meant 150KBps, and the new line of 1000X cards reaches sustained read speeds of 150MB per second. Write speeds are a smidgen slower--966X, or 145MBps--but still enough to keep up with the Video Performance Guarantee (VPG-20) "to enable professional-quality video capture at high frame rates with no dropped frames," the company said.

The cards are priced for professionals, too, with retail prices of $169.99 for 16GB, $299.99 for 32GB, $… Read more

Netflix: It wants to be HBO, but better

Steven Van Zandt was born to run and Netflix is hoping the former "Sopranos" actor and member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street band has a long run in the upcoming original Netflix series, "Lilyhammer."

Van Zandt stars in the show about a mafia boss who moves to Norway as part of a witness protection program. Netflix announced yesterday that series will debut on its video streaming and rental service on February 6, becoming one of the company's first exclusive TV serials.

The move comes as a minor surprise in that Netflix was widely expected … Read more