chromebook #ChromeOS #VerifiedBoot

12.12: web.cyb/sec/chrome's verified boot:

Verified boot provides a means of
getting cryptographic assurances
that the Linux kernel, non-volatile system memory,
and the partition table are untampered with
when the system starts up.
This approach is not "trusted boot"
as it does not depend on a TPM device
or other specialized processor features.
Instead, a chain of trust is created
using custom read-only firmware
that performs integrity checking on
a writable firmware.
The verified code in the writable firmware
then verifies the next component in the boot path,  and so on. 

11.8: news.cyb/chrome/doing well while ms declines:
. chromebooks grow while microsoft shrivels?
. promising better security makes a diff .
12.25: best-seller on amazon:
. the best selling laptop on amazon.com [2013.1]
was the Samsung ARM-powered, Linux-based Chromebook.

7.28: news.cyb/chrome/sec
/some vulnerabilities found but many avoided:
application-sandboxes-a-pen-testers-perspective .
see also pdf .

. Chrome OS kernel exploits are not easy,
but are of medium difficulty to pull off;
OS user mode exploits are very difficult,
and every other penetration test was
not even applicable to Chrome OS
-- these included off the shelf exploits,
and various sandbox leakages:
keylogging, remote webcam/mic access,
clipboard hijack, screen scraping,
file stealing, network shares access . 

Dell Latitude E6430 #QubesOS #xen #security&freedom

12.31: summary:
. I feel secure on Chromebook with its verified boot;
but that is very limited in what it can do .
. the Qubes OS provides virtualization of linux
that is needed to isolate computer activities
into separate linux virtual machines .
. by providing this "security by isolation"
your web surfing of unsafe sites
can't be exploited to steal your bank's password
because they run on virtually separate machines .
. there is an hcl (hardware compatibility list)
to help you find a computer that Qubes works with;
and it says a Dell Latitude E6430 does work,
but doesn't work out-of-the-box
(it needs some sort of unspecified "tweaking").

printers for #EMP -proof #backup

12.12: summary:

. given that the policies of USA-Israel
are inciting such hostilities from
both dictators (China, Russia, Iran)
and muslims (Iran, Syria, ...),
there is a good chance USA will get
at least one EMP bomb in the next 3 years
that will destroy every electronics device
so that electronic backups of information
are not accessable until one can
import and afford another computing device .
. in the meantime,
a printout of all needed information
would come in quite handy .

#recycle #Apple #iMac 2008

10.9: todo.cyb/mac/recycling: [done]
. if I've found my infected overheating imac
isn't worth fixing,
I could just find how to crack it open
and reuse the drive,
and maybe also the dvd drive?
. vaguely recall the mac#mini's dvd burner
was not immediately reusable,
because I didn't have the right enclosure
(it wasn't the same interface as the harddrive).
[12.15:
. there are also rumors that mac's dvd burner
has unique firmware that needs special drivers? .]

#Apple #iMac #badBIOS #malware

12.15: summary:
. my 2008 imac seemed infected by opening pdf's,
and I suspected it was #badBIOS malware;
because, it gave my dvd player troubles:
it made the os x installer disk unreadable,
and it also seemed to be coming from firmware,
as even after I reinstalled the OS via download,
and hadn't opened any more pdf's or javascript,
I still seemed to get infected again .
. my troubles started with finding a new pdf library,
and I ended up finally replacing my sick mac
with a chromebook featuring verified boot!

endothialial dysfunction and muscle cramps

12.30: summary:
. I've been more prone to leg cramping and edema,
as if something is clogging the leg's circulation
thereby depriving it of relaxing magnesium .
. it got much worse eating under-treated olives,
but that may have been due to increasing arginine
since that could have worsened a certain condition
that in turn worsens auto-immune activity .

Quorn contains "Natural Flavors" #excitotoxins

12.20: web.health/excitotoxins/Quorn contains "Natural Flavors":
. what's in our beloved Quorn besides fungus?

Yeast Extract, Salt, Pea Fiber,
Natural Flavors From Non-Meat Sources. 

. "flavors" reminds me of msg ...
Chemical Warfare with "Natural Flavor"

Natural flavors can legally contain
naturally occurring glutamate bi-products like MSG
– which are known excitotoxins.

. that doesn't mean Quorn has excitotoxins;
it just means they are not doing much to
reassure us that they are clean
when they use unspecified "natural flavors" .

#canaan #fairtrade olive oil

12.29: web.aq.cook/canaan fairtrade olive oil:
summary:
. I recently became acquainted with
canaanfairtrade.com's olive products:
organic oil, pickled olives, and soap .
. I live right next to California,
so I'd rather get my cooking oil locally;
but I was quite impressed with canaan soap .
. Dr. Bronner's soap contains olive oil
that comes from both Palestine and Israel,
and can be found in many stores .
. I prefer liquid soaps myself,
and that too has olive oil in it;
but the canaanfairtrade.com bar soaps
claim to use a lot more olive oil,
and thus help Palestine more,
however, Dr. Bronner's is on amazon.com,
and might be more convenient for most
while still helping Palestine a lot .