Computer Hardware Blog

Your ipod and many other mp3 players are a soon-to-be corporate nightmare for many big or high potential compagnies. Why? Firstly, let me say later on in this article you will be in for two big surprises that may affect many businesses around the world, including yours if you have one. Ok, so why should businesses and your boss be so worried about these mp3 players? For one, many of these devices have large storage capacity and often can store all types of digital files. There is often enough space to store a lot of big and small files. Text documents, powerpoint documents, audios, videos etc.. Also, it’s very easy to connect such devices to a computer and transfer tons of content from a computer to an mp3 player such as the ipod. You simply plug it in, a few clicks, and voila! The perfect ingredient to a corporate espionage recipe. Before I get to the two scary facts, here are some other interesting fact to take note of… There are more and more information technologies in the workplace and it’s harder and harder for companies to control and protect vital sensitive information. There are solutions, but let’s get scared for a moment… 1- Statistics show that 25 percent of employees in the United Kingdom said they would use these music devices or small memory cards to steal corporate data. Now, for the cherry on the sunday… 2- The ipod makes catching someone stealing information using an ipod almost impossible. Even if security staff would examine the device! Let me explain… When you transfer files to an ipod, an entry is being created so that you can navigate through all your files stored on it. Looking at the ipod’s screen, you browse through files to select the one you want to access. Problem is, you can delete a file’s entry from the ipod’s list of stored files, without actually deleting the file itself. The result? A sensitive file can be on the ipod, yet the security staff looking at the entries or index to see what it contains would not see that file listed. As it’s not even there! Once home, an employee using this method would simply need to connect his computer to it, and read the file directly from thedevice’s hard disk. But there are possible solutions to this spy scenario… Proper auditing and information management practices would be the best defense against such potential corporate espionage in the workplace. Today more than ever, business stakes are high, and so are the “payoffs” of selling information to a competitor… …so putting the time, money and effort into the implementation of such practices is a no brainer. And it should be on the high priority list of things to do of every company that possess information individuals or other companies could benefit from. The ipod may be stylish, but anyone can be it’s next victim.

Max Penn is one of the man behind the Espionage Guide Website where you can learn all about surveillance and countersurveillance gear. To learn more, you can go to spy equipment

If you’re ready to ditch the Walkman and go high-tech with your portable music needs, you’re probably in the market for an MP3 player. For the non-gadget geeks among us, selecting a digital music player involves navigating some choppy waters. It’s easy to get bowled over by the waves of new technology—shuffles, nanos…where do you start?

As with any purchase, you can start by assessing your needs. There are three major types of MP3 players: flash, microdrive, and hard drive. Each has its pros and cons, many of which are dependent upon how you plan to use your MP3 player.

First, think about the size of your music collection. Do you have a modest sized collection of just your all-time faves or are you the live-for-music type who’s first in line when a new CD comes out? At most, a flash MP3 player will hold the equivalent of approximately 20 CDs. This size could be just right for people who plan to use their MP3 players mainly for their daily workouts.

The microdrive is the middle ground. They hold anywhere from 50 to 120 CDs. For the majority of us, a microdrive is big enough to hold most every song we want. If not, then you want the hard drive MP3 player. These puppies will hold your entire collection—as many as 1200 CDs.

The size and weight of each type of MP3 player corresponds with the amount of music it can hold. A hard drive is going to be bigger and heavier than a flash player. Price works the same way. You’ll pay more for a player that holds more. You can get a flash MP3 player for less than $150, a minidrive for $150-250, and a hard drive for $250 and up.

Next, think about where you’ll be taking your MP3 player. For example, if you want something you can listen to at the gym, a flash player might be the right choice because it tends to be lighter. A hard drive player would be bulky and heavy, at least in relation to a workout.

The flash is also a good choice for someone who wants something to listen to for short periods of time, such as during a commute. If you’ll be listening to your MP3 player for hours on end, you’ll want something that holds more music. It won’t take long to go through the 20 CDs worth of songs on a flash. A minidrive is a good compromise. It’s relatively small and light, but still holds enough music to prevent your favorite song from becoming your least favorite song because you’ve listened to it 30 times.

We’ve said that the hard drive MP3 player is bigger and heavier than the other two kinds. That’s only relatively speaking, of course. It’s hardly like lugging around a concrete block. If you want all your music with you all the time, a hard drive is the way to go. For instance, this type of player is good for someone who goes on long trips without access to their collection for switching out songs.

Andrea Morris is a staff writer for DiscountOnline. The latest electronics discounts are at DiscountsOnline Electronics .