scattered technology news

Turn Your Webcam Into A Security Cam - Friday, November 2, 2007

Just about every new laptop purchased today is bundled with a built-in web cam. It’s a great accessory for video conferencing, but there are also plenty of other useful things to do with them. This tutorial will demonstrate how to turn just about any web camera into a security camera which will capture any movement it sees using motion technology. No extra components or tools required!

What’s Needed:

• Windows XP or Vista Computer
• A USB or built-in Camera
• Java Runtime Environment 6 +
• Windows Media Player 9 +

Quick Install Process:
1) Download yawcam.zip and unzip it
2) Click on yawcam.exe and install it
3) Start Menu -> Start up Yawcam

Note: If you have a USB camera, plug it in before starting up yawcam. If yawcam says “No Device Selected”, go to Settings -> Device -> Change to -> [select your camera]. If you are able to view your camera in the Yawcam Preview window, proceed to the next step.

Read More

IronKey: Hardware Encrypted Flash Drive - Monday, October 15, 2007

What happens if you were to loose flash drive? Unless someone is kind enough to return it, your data is probably available for just about anyone to view. One great solution to safeguarding data on the go is the IronKey. The folks over at IronKey, which is the name of the product as well, have created a flash drive with “military-grade” encryption. This means that your data is just about as safe as it could possibly be if it were stolen or found by a hacker. (This encryption technology hasn’t been broken, yet.)

Unlike a standard flash drive which brings up a window with your files, the IronKey will prompt the user for a password when plugged in. No data will be accessible without the right password. The IronKey’s security software is located right on the flash memory and runs right off it, therefore requiring no additional programs to be installed. The flash drive’s encryption is both hardware and software based. The Cryptochip on board automatically encrypts any type of files copied onto the flash memory. If a hacker were to extract the data, it would be encrypted and unreadable anyways. The drive itself is quite rugged, it is encased in metal housing which is strong enough to withstand just about any drops, being run over by a car, from high pressure, and is even waterproof. If someone was trying to guess the password and failed ten times or managed to break open the casing, the Cryptochip automatically initiates a self-destruct sequence, destroying ALL data! (The password limit prevents brute force.) Read More

Stream iTunes Library To PSP - Monday, April 17, 2006

Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a very popular device and has sold a few million units, but when compared to Apple’s iPod, the PSP lacks storage space. Luckily, the PSP has a built in WiFi card to make up for this disadvantage. With a few simple steps, all of which are included in this tutorial, anyone can stream any non-copyright music from their iTunes library to their PSP. To get started, you will need to have the following:

• PSP With Firmware v2.60
• Networked XP Home/Pro Comp.
• WiFi (802.11b) Network Router
• Apple iTunes v6.0.4 Installed
• Songs in iTunes Music Library
• At Least 1 Playlist With Music

The 5-Step Setup Procedure:

1) Download iTunes-PSP-Server.exe and save it to your desktop.
2) Disable any firewalls and/or keep port 8080 open.
3) Launch iTunes and then click on the iTunes-PSP-Server after.
4) In IE/Firefox open the page “http://localhost:8080″
5) Setup is complete if an “iTunes RSS Server” page appeared.

If the iTunes RSS Server page didn’t appear make sure your firewall has authorized “iTunes-PSP-Server.exe” to access the internet completely. You may also want to add a rule into your firewall to keep port 8080 open. The “black box” is the server, DO NOT close it. Read More

PSP v2.60 HomeBrew - Sunday, February 5, 2006

The PSP can finally run homebrew games and applications on firmware 2.60. It previously only worked on 1.50 units and on PSPs that were downgraded from 2.00 to 1.50. There was minimal support on 2.00+, but with this tutorial most homebew applications should function. We should expect to see a new update very soon from Sony, possibly 2.70 or a minor “security” update to v2.60. If a new update is released, obviously do not update for a while untill information about what exactly it does is available. The homebrew on 2.60 PSPs will be able to run Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Atari Lynx, and many other applications.To run homebrew applications:

• PSP with v2.60 installed
• Memory Card with enough space
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
• USB Cable or MS Pro Duo Reader

To install homebrew applications:

• Download “homebrew260.zip” and extract content
• Connect and open media storage device
• Copy contents of GAME & paste them in X:\PSP\GAME\
• Copy folder “ULUS10041S5″ and paste in X:\PSP\SAVEDATA\
• Place all the homebrew application files in GAME
• Start GTA & load profile 5 to get to the homebrew menu
• To quit the homebrew menu just hit the “start” button

Links: US PlayStation | GTA: LCS | PSP Updates
Related: PSP 2.60 Info | DownGrade 2.0 to 1.5

Note: At the momment standard homebrew applications can only be run on PSPs with either 1.50 or 2.60. (nothing in between). If you have 2.60 only way to run these apps is with the retail edition of GTA. (not a UMD rip) Also downgrading PSPs can only be downgraded from 2.00 to 1.50. (no other combos will work!) P.S. Don’t ask us how to find UMD rips.

Downgrade PSP v2.0 to v1.5 - Tuesday, September 27, 2005

After a long awaited time, the a PSP downgrader is finally available! This will allow all PSP owners who have upgraded their PSP to v2.0 to downgrade all the way back to v1.5. (this version will allow using homebrew applications) Also if you have v1.51 or v1.52, you will need to upgrade up to v2.0 and then you will be able to downgrade. If you do downgrade from v2.0 you will always be able to bring back v2.0 by doing the standard update procedure once again.

To downgrade do the following: (read entire post first! notes @ bottom)

• Create the X://PSP/GAME/UPDATE directory if it doesn’t exisit.
• Copy EBOOT.PBP (v1.50) into X://PSP/GAME/UPDATE folder.
• Unzip the PSPdowngrade.zip package and open the folder.
• Copy overflow.tif into X://PSP/PHOTO/ folder.
• Then copy h.bin into the root folder. (X://h.bin)
• Finally copy index.dat into root folder as well (X://index.dat)
• Make sure your AC adaptor is connected.
• In your PSP enter the Photos section, which will launch a little app.
• You will need to wait ~30 seconds and then restart your PSP.
• Then finally Game Menu and launch the v1.5 updater (downgrade).
• Follow instructions and then at 99% an error should popup.
• Thats normal so just restart the PSP and it should show an error.
• Now restart the unit one more time and the PSP should be ready.

Notes: Make sure there are no other Photos other than the overflow image present in the photos folder during this “downgrade” procedure. To restart hold the power button for about 10 seconds once it is off wait 10 seconds and turn it back on. All credit goes to MPH for creating this hack to downgrade PSPs. Please do not use this for illegal purposes (piracy), but use it to use legal homebrew apps and opensource type games. The PSPdowngrade.zip will inculde all of the files required to downgrade your PSP.
Warning: Skatter Tech is only providing information on how to downgrade the PSP. If you PSP does by chance get damaged due to something you tried on this site, we are not going to be responsible so do these at your own risk.

Download: PSPdowngrade.zip
Links: PSP Updates | Toc2rta Wiki
Affilate: HackMyPSP (Plenty of great PSP Hacks!)

UPDATE: RUN HOMEBREW ON PSP v2.60

Multiplayer PSP Hack Video - Monday, August 22, 2005

In April 2005, I wrote the “PSP Multiplayer With One Game” article. It was an extreme hit, which drew over 30,000 views. The article simple explained the step-by-step procedure to play a multiplayer game on a PSP when only one copy of the game is available. (link provided below) Recently, many have claimed that the procedure written is no longer applicable to firmware v1.52., and that players can no longer see eachother in the game. This isn’t true it’s still possible and this video will demonstrate it. To make this easier for everyone I have created a 3-minute long video which goes through the process. The video demonstrates how to perform this “hack” with Twisted Metal. Please feel free to download this video and spread it as you would like. A summarized procedure is at the bottom of this post.

Download: PSPMultiPlayerHack.wmv
Mirror 1 | Mirror 2 (USE MIRROR 2 Only if 1 Does Not Work!)
(Note: Right-Click Save Link As… )
Update: Now On Google Video
Update: Now On Yahoo! Video

Format: Windows Media Video (WMV)
Size: ~25MB
Resolution: 640×480
Copyright: Creative Commons Liscense

Step-By-Step Procedure: (Twisted Metal w/ 2 PSPs)

1) Startup both PSPs and place the game into PSP #1.
2) Start an Ad Hoc game, create a server, and choose your settings.
3) Set time limit to unlimited (recommended), only because it takes a while to load the game in to PSPs since we only have 1 copy of the game.
4) Choose your car, but don’t start the game.
5) Remove the UMD & say no to quitting game.
6) Start the game in PSP #2 and go to multiplayer.
7) Enter the Ad Hoc mode and enter the server created by PSP #1.
8) Choose your car, but don’t start the game.
9) Remove the UMD & say not 2 exit game.
10) Place it back into PSP #1 and enter game
11) Once loaded take it out & and say no 2 quitting.
12) Put it back into PSP #2 and enter the game.
13) You should now be able to play eachother.

Link: Original PSP Multiplayer With One Game Article

Notice: If this for some reason does happen to damage or brick your PSP, Skatter Tech is not responsible. As always follow this guide at your own risk. From our experience we use this method all the time and have never had any issues. No complains received yet either.

AIM Crashin’ Exploit - Wednesday, June 8, 2005

A new AIM exploit/bug will allow anyone to crash anyone’s AIM client by just chatting with them. It works by using buddy icon which is modified, so that when the person chatting with you views the icon their client instantly crashes. Luckily for those smart enought to be using Trillian or Gaim to avoid all the adware, it wil not affect you. To crash your friend’s computer do the following:
1) Download this icon. (right-click -> save as)
2) Set it as your budding icon.
3) Say “hi” to who ever’s AIM client you want 2 crash.
4) They should log off within a few seconds.
Note: You can only crash other people’s clients if you are using either Trillian or Gaim. Also site not responsible if AIM accounts are suspended or any damage to any computers. This hack was found on multiple websites, each claiming credit as their own, so if anyone wants credit place a link to the article in the comments.
Link: Trillian | Gaim | AIM

Warning: Please do not use this to crash other people’s computers or clients without their consent. This is just causing harm to the AIM community. This has only been posted as a way of spreading techology news and for testing purposes. Users who have used this hack multiple times will have their account suspended or eventually closed.

Systm Videos On The PSP - Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Systm was succesfully launched on 05/24/05! They included a Mp4 format which was encoded to support playback on the Sony PlayStation Portable. Unfortunatley the size of the file was about 50MB and most PSP owners only have a 32MB card. So to solve this problem I have converted the video to the max quality possible under 32MB. I have also created a thumbnail for the video, which Systm has not included. I have setup a bittorrent tracker, which I will be using to distrubute these files. Checkback every week because I will add the latest episodes into this format as soon as they become avaliable. Click Here to start downloading episode 1. Please seed this file after your are done downloading.
Link: My Torrent Tracker | Systm.org
Related: The Broken & exitFrame on the PSP
Other: +digg | digg | TextAmerica

PHLAK v0.3 - Sunday, May 8, 2005

PHLAK (Professional Hackers Linux Assult Kit) v0.3 was just released. This new release has fixed many of the bugs that were in the previous version. To begin with, the WiFi cracking tool requried a certain type of Orinoco card, but now it supports many standard WiFi cards and also supports centrino laptops. It now supports hard drive installation and has many included documents/tutorials.
Link: PHLAK | Download PHLAK | Tool List
Related: Knoppix STD (Security Tools Distubition)

PSP Multiplayer With One Game - Monday, April 4, 2005

I was playing around with the PSP and I wanted to play a multiplayer game with my friend. But because he did not have the game I was trying to figure out a way to play with only one copy. And I found out that it is actually pretty easy. I tested the game with Twisted Metal and it worked great. To play any multiplayer game on a Sony PSP with only one copy of a game, do the following:

• Place the game into the 1st PSP. Start the game. Start a Multiplayer Ad-Hoc game. (Set the time to unlimited because moving the game between the units takes a while.) Get everything ready, settings ect., except do not enter the game.
• Now remove the game from the unit. A message will appear asking whether you want to exit the game, say NO! The game should go back to the setting screen, where it is waiting for you to press start. (Don’t press start yet on PSP #1)
• Now take the game and place it into the 2nd PSP. Start the game. Now go to Ad-Hoc games and find the server that the other PSP has already started. Once you find the game enter it after choose your personal settings.
• Once the game is done loading on PSP #2 take it out and put it back into unit #1. And press start and it should load into the game!
• And now you are playing each other on two PSPs with only one copy of the game. And if you want to, you can do this with up to as many units as you wish. As long as the game supports that many players.

This works great, but I bet you Sony doesn’t like it. Also to be on the safe side I removed my memorystick to prevent any possible data loss if the unit freezes. Also when you want to exit the game it might freeze. And even trying to power off the unit might not work. To solve this problem just place the game into the frozen PSP and it will do some loading and then resume normally. Any more questions? Then make a comment and I will help you if I can.Update: There have been many comments saying that this does not work, but I tested it with Twisted Metal, Need for Speed, Tony Hawk, and a few others and they worked fine. I have made changes to the instructions above. If these still do not work as of (06/20/05) please post a comment below. Thank You!

Update: I tested them multiple times, but I actually found that it is working perfectly on the PSPs with FirmWare v1.50. But when I tried it with PSPs with FirmWare v1.52 it couldn’t connect both of the PSPs together. I have not tried v1.51 so please make a comment u have tried it with it. (07/08/05)

Update: (07/27/05) First I would like to say that the my Multiplayer PSP hack does in fact work with v1.52! There needs to be a few changes made to the procedure and it will work just fine! I am going to be posting the new set of instructions soon so check the main page of my blog. Also Sony announced some new FirmWare Updates for the PSP v2.0, which will work with Sonic Stage 3.2! - link

NEW - I’ve just created a new video that goes over this procedure. It is only a few minutes long and also has directions in the video. I have also re-written the instructions above for PSPs with new firmware so check out by clicking here: PSP Multiplayer Hack Video