Following numerous instances of mobile phone theft, for not just the value of the phone, but for the data and access to information, payment and banking information held within, Avalon Microwave has designed and manufactured an ‘Electronic Padlock’, patent pending, which is hardware based and independent of any third party hardware.
This device is in production and can be demonstrated, built into a “Stand Alone” evaluation unit.
The device itself is a 20 pin VQFN, a 3mm square package, which is designed for integration into third party products such as mobile phones, laptops, vehicles, Ipad’s etc., and which will disable the host device, and where required, initiate the erasure of any sensitive information held within the host.
Unfortunately, amongst the new generation of software designers and engineers, the norm is that all security can be resolved by software solutions, but which we all know any software can be compromised.
The California Legislature Senate Bill 962 states that any new mobile phone must have a ‘Kill Switch’ to allow it to be sold. The legislation did not define that the ‘Kill Switch’ had to be implemented in Hardware and the mobile phone manufacturers elect to use software, which has proved not only in California, but worldwide, to be totally ineffective.
Operational information
The UES 4550 is designed to be integrated into OEM equipment, where security is believed to be vitally important, removing the dependence on unsecure ‘Software’ security.
When the OEM equipment is first powered up, the opening screen will request that a unique password be created by the legitimate user, using between 3 and 16 characters. As the password will be imbedded in the hardware device, the password cannot be ‘hacked’ into, as software passwords regularly are.
On subsequent power cycles the display will request the unique password to be entered.
If three attempts are made at guessing the password the device will lock up preventing any further access attempts. Depending how the device is integrated into the OEM equipment, the following options are available-
- A port can be included in the OEM host to allow the UES to be remotely accessed by ourselves. The device can then be unlocked, to enable it’s continued use.
- The UES can initiate the erasure of the memory section of the OEM equipment, to prevent sensitive information getting in the wrong hands.
- The UES can initiate the destruction of the host electronics, by switching a high voltage source on to destroy all voltage sensitive components.
Full information can be provided for approved applications.
