On-Line Absentee Ballot Registration

http://www.overseasvote2004.com/ – an online Overseas Voter Registration and absentee Ballot Request system. Deadlines for registration vary by state, with some deadlines as early as October 3, so get a move on…

Pen Mightier Than Kryptonite

In today’s Globe and Mail an article on page A3 tells of how instructions currently floating around the internet make Kryptonite – but also ANY type of lock that uses a cylinderical key – vulnerable to easy picking using the inside of a common Bic pen.

This is not new information, apparently the vulnerability has been known since the early 1990’s, but the information then quickly disappeared from public view.

Bring on the power of the 2000 era Internet, where its trivial to record and distribute a how-to movie around the world, and where on-line community discussion (both good and bad folks) is far more common—the 1990’s problem becomes a giant nightmare.

• Informative article with links to said movies as well
• Globe and Mail article – Sometimes the pen is mightier than the lock
• Locks pulled from Calgary shelves

The bottom line – virtually all U-locks and many other types of heavy duty locks, most of which use cylinderical keys these days, are at risk.

Mountain Co-Op might be one of the better resellers from which to get replacement service; Kryptonite themselves have not announced any formal recall or replacement plan. I’ve my doubts, as this is a company shattering development for them, despite the issue affecting all such locks, not just theirs.

No doubt there will be a run on locks around town although it being a rainy fall here, perhaps the sunny weather cyclists will forget all about this. I’m going shopping for at least a couple alternatives today.

Mike