Back in Country Hi Hi

I could get used to this chartered stuff. Phft, already am.

This morning when I tried to open the room safe, it had malfunctioned, and the latch was stuck.  So an engineer had to rescue my passport.

Did you just have the same idea I did…

Left Tuesday, returned this afternoon, and despite being in an out-of-service zone 75% of the trip, still managed to hoover up 61 MB.

I know I said I’d blog the 3rd rally instalment today, but I’ve averaged about 4 hours sleep each night, and have moved into that next level of sleep deprivation that, although am good at and kind’ve get off on, I pay heavily for in the long run.

Because I may have out-published almost everyone this week, ha. Blogged 7 times, wrote the news, filed 3 stories and 3 photo galleries with the newspaper, and then interviewed and wrote next week’s column (“About car rallies”.)

So shutting it down and going to find food, will blog Day 3 tomorrow Monday.

OH!

Tonight is a full moon, on a Friday the 13th,
which won’t happen again till 2049.

Blog tag = The Planets

I’ll leave you with what I look like on a plane.

TTYT night

 

 

Why I Like Airports

Watching the people. Everyone seems to have lowered their guard more than normal, and many have totally dropped them.

I wonder if it’s because an airport is such a protected and monitored place, so it feels safe to drop it.

I like walking through the crowds, thinking about how I’m so close to all these different people, and I will never see them again.

Maybe we even bumped into one another, exchanged words and a smile, then nothing ever more guaranteed.

You know the saying, “want to see someone’s true colours? Add stress”. Many people find travelling stressful, so that’s usually entertaining.

There’s the most delicious airport food, able to be eaten one-handed.

And I figure if I’m in an airport, I must be up to something good.

Always have loved airports.

Here’s the blog section.

Pretty good wingtip photo eh.

 

 

Why Airport WiFi is the Most Hostile Network

I’ve harped on you for years via social media, “stay off airport WiFi, it’s dangerous and even the best guys don’t connect to it”.

When I travelled to Arizona two weeks ago, sitting at the terminal I was like, “okay fine, I have to wipe my phone soon anyway, and should demonstrate why I keep harping”.

I connect to the terminal’s free network.

Using an app on my phone, I scan the network.

1 – there are 573 devices connected to the network

2 – the brand of each device is displayed

3 – I can choose to see what each device is doing

4 – I can pick one device and track it! I assign it the name, “Test”

1 – listed are the IP (like an address) and MAC address (like a serial number) of all connected devices

2 – let’s see what’s happening with THYSSENKRUP-PC

3 – that’s his IP and MAC address, of his Intel PC

4 – the numbers on the left are his ports, and what traffic is going in/out on each  

* – this traveller has his business card taped to his laptop.

The Attack

A business traveller has connected both his phone and laptop, he’s working away. The attacker notes his brand of device, the device’s name, MAC and IP address, and what is happening on which ports.  Added bonus is the business card taped to the laptop.

The attacker does some social media mining, then a week later, the traveller gets a phone call.

“Jimmy hi! Karl from IT here. Look, there’s a bit of a meltdown happening at HQ, sorry but this is urgent, you were at Pearson airport last Tuesday, right?

You’re on a Blackberry, MAC address 00:1F:3B:Bo:D2:D3, and were connected to our Microsoft Exchange server, right?  Yup, look, we have a compromise here, and I’m going to need your access to your laptop…”

***

An elaborate example, because really, someone skilled now has enough information to breach Jimmy’s system, with neither the laptop lid business card, or a phone call.

The Defence

Use your phone (via USB, not Bluetooth) to connect to the internet.  Reduce the attack surface.

The Better Defence

Just don’t.

If you must, avoid entering any passwords, and certainly no banking or credit card numbers.

(see also: Protecting your Phone in an Uncertain Environment)

 

Hi from the South but Where is My Trunk?!

I was ahead of schedule (YES to my meticulousness), car packed up, far too excited to sleep, so I set off Thursday evening.

Then nah.

Let’s turn around and head back to Toronto.

Change in plans, let’s fly instead.

And that’s why I don’t have my trunk with me. Despite talking incessantly about it for 3 months. I love that trunk, I even made it its own blog catagory.

Ahhh the best laid plans.

So I took it to my storage unit, hauled it out of my car myself (I. Am. A. Beast).

Re-packed and reduced everything to two suitcases and a backpack.

Last adjustments Saturday morning.

And I’m off! Tweeted this photo to commemorate.

I always board last, I’ve mentioned this before. I don’t understand lining up to be first… you’re just going to have to sit there longer?!

Good things can happen when you board last… that’s how I got bumped up to First Class flying home from Alberta last week.

True story:

I have a lot of blog girl gear.

Changed planes. The Detroit airport is huuuge.

Taken just before initial descent, that’s how huge because I am high up.

Good airport advice:

Back up in the sky.

If you see that view in real life and if it doesn’t move you, you’re dead inside.

And I arrived!

Yes that’s McDonald’s, I went directly there off the plane. I’m predictable that way.

I’m pumped to share my trip with you!!

I have to figure out internet here, which I’m en route to do soon as I hit publish on this post.

TTYS
xo Keri