Went Armoured Car Shopping

It’s a Conquest ‘Evade’.

Built on a Ford F550 Super Duty chassis, choose the diesel engine for the extra 140 lb-fit of torque.

400 square feet of cabin space finished with luxury finishings; night-vision cameras front and rear; humidors, Xbox, TV, fridge, a black box, a gas attack defence, name it get it.

The base model is $579,000 USD. But I bet after the extras, it’d come closer to $800K.

It’s a moving vault.

And these photos aren’t accurately showing how ENORMOUS it is, like 100″ high, 13,00o-ish lbs enormous.

The 238 L fuel tank seems small to me, spring for the upgrade.

Built by Canadian company Conquest, they’ve exported every one of their vehicles, not one has been sold to a Canadian. Lots ship to China and the Middle East.

The vehicles are handmade in their shop north of Toronto, but it’s bad form to post those photos.

The company had kept a low profile, until recently. A few weeks ago, they set-up a test-drive event downtown Toronto and invited the press. I’m the only journalist to have visited the the shop though, ha. Read Peter Cheny’s article, he took it to Kensington Market nice.

Here’s the specs for the model one lower, the ‘Knight’; couldn’t find details on this one.

Note the GVWR :O

It has electrically-charged glass, sometimes called Smart Glass – by electrically-charging the glass, the opacity can be controlled.

How I’d attack the vehicle:

To see one drive by, I’d assume there must be something very valuable inside, to be so heavily protected; therefore it might make a good target.

What about the iPad that’s running the TV via Bluetooth, how about hopping onto the vehicle’s network that way?  Maybe the vehicle is its own Hotspot?  Is there any WiFi bleeding out?  Those externally mounted cameras are probably providing a live feed to the occupants laptop or phone…

It’s highly unlikely the passenger would be without a cell phone, so it’d be worth it to capture their traffic … sitting two cars behind with a laptop and antennae, grab some email passwords; hold data for ransom; grab sensitive photos then blackmail; dealers choice.

The defence would be a Faraday cage; one that could be turned on/off. Could make a nice addition to this vehicle.

But think about it eh, how different life would be, if you had to move around in something this secure, to stay safe.

Fun to think about, wouldn’t want to live it.

 

How Can I Get to Walk Around in This

I love Slurpees. One year, I spent $2,200 on Pepsi Slurpees.

This costume comeON.  Daydreaming how to get to wear it…

… walk into the 7-11, full blue leotard on.

“Hi guys!  I’m cutting it fine eh, for the start of my 1pm shift!  Huh? Why are you looking at me… you didn’t get the call from head office, that I was coming? Huh well I’ll leave you to it, I gotta get out there *turn to eye up costume* because a few weeks ago woaaaah my boss maaaay have busted me oh man, it’s the craziest story okay so, first you have to know how it started…. hey, think I should stretch first? So okay, the story… so I was supposed to be there at 11, but the night before omg this is complicated for how much time wait, what am I saying, I’ll tell ya when I come back *pick up over, waving out the door, “see you soon!”

That is an example of “social engineering”.

It preys on emotions, and people’s goodwill.

Don’t feel shy to stop people tailgating you into your work, or any building to which you’ve been trusted with a key. On the phone, be mindful of the privacy level associated with the information that you’re giving out. Like that.

Social engineering is used in online attacks, too.

It’s a friendly & personalized approach… the email is welcoming, calls you by name, references that hazy night out a few weeks back, check out this photo I just found of us, click here…

No, a script pulled your name off a list, some well written copy was added, and then some malware was hidden behind the link, that the email really wants you to click.

The counter to this attack is your gut.

If it feels off, say no or don’t click.

And if ever I get to wear the costume, video.

You’re Responsible for Hotspot Users

That’s my Blackberry, with a warning all phones should come with.

You’ll never see me allowing anyone to Hotspot off my phone.

Because the signal goes: their phone > your phone > service provider

So if they’re up to anything shady or illegal, then your name is now linked to it, and recorded in your cel phone provider’s database.

I’m sure you could explain your way out, but why even get into it.

 

 

Label your Luggage Always

A few months back I was looking out the window, waiting for the plane to take off… oh what’s that?

That’s my suitcase not being loaded on board. Instead, it’s about to be driven away on that little truck.

Oh no.  “Excuse me”… “Hello?” By now the truck has started driving away, I stand up “HI LISTEN HI”.

I described what happened, and it was the pilot himself who leaped off the plane and ran after the truck.

It was only then that I started to worry… imagine if I was wrong, and I’d just held up the plane, while the pilot chased someone else’s bag.

But it wasn’t, and he returned with my luggage, and the passengers around me were all, “sharp eye” and “nice catch”.  I only felt relief.

That’s why I use that giant orange luggage tag,
a bright red strap, and a green lock; VDMs

VDM – Visual Distinguishing Mark

(as I’ve blogged before, only use TSA approved red diamond locks when travelling)