Algorithims that produce a hash using a private key and some stored random “salt” Salting Improves the security of hashes because pre computed rainbow tables can’t be used. However the effectiveness is arguably becoming less over time as new rainbow tables can be computed faster using FPGA’s and salting. Storing Passwords On systems at any […]
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Encrypting Network Connections
SSL & TLS Transport Layer Security (TLS) has replaced Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Both are cryptographic protocols. TLS is more powerful the SSL and has been adopted by everything internet. The security of SSL is broken, everyone uses TLS but it can often still be called SSL for historical reasons!
TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
A TPM is simply a version of a HSB (Hardware Security Module) A TPM chip allows the device to keep a secret. They are cheap, simple and work at protecting secrets even with physical access to the device.
Encrypting hard disk drives
Encrypting disk hard drives – Best security practice today When a drive is first bought into service, before anything is written to it, a high quality entropy source should be used to produce a large (128 or 256 bit), high entropy symmetric secret. This is the encryption key. It will then be forever used to […]
Cable lengths
Long cable lengths We’ve had customers report that they’ve used 1-Wire devices (e.g. DS18B20) with cable lengths of 200, even 300 meters. We can’t personally recommend this, but apparently having a pull up resistor at both ends of the cable is essential plus designing your software reading the sensor to expect bad responses and only […]
United Kingdom Cities, Towns and Villages
UK list of towns, cities and villages We’ve not used this resource personally yet, but it claims to be accurate and lists 43,000 towns, cities and villages with location data and is not too expensive: https://www.uktownslist.co.uk/ How UK users select address The country choice for a United Kingdom online user is usually “United Kingdom”. Whilst […]
Ripple
Voltage Regulators Linear voltage regulators are actually pretty bad at removing ripple. Ripple on the input will pass through and find its way onto the output. How much will depend on the regulator and the load, but in geneal high load = more ripple passing through. Removing Ripple Using a RC filter and transistor or mosfet […]
IBEX ESP32 Programming Cable
Parts Required AnalogLamb ESP32 Programmer with CH340 USB to Serial Chip – analoglamb.com MTA6 – RS Components 543-7750 (requires assembly tool – any 2.54mm SIL connector will do if you already have alternative tooling) 7/0.2mm² cable – RS Components 214-0661 15.9mm Clear heatshrink – RS Components 873-9191 Assembled programming adapter Ensure you cut away the heatshrink over the "EN" button […]
PC ATX PSU 4-pin Molex connector
4 pin Mini-Fit Jr connector