Worried about people accessing your private information whenever you use a public computer? There is a way to protect yourself: Devices as small as a keychain
allow you to use any computer without leaving a trail of evidence.
A new computer program known as MojoPac can turn
most flash memory sticks, external hard drives or iPods into “virtual” PCs that can run most programs that work on Windows XP.
The device draw on the host computer’s resources - including the electricity, Windows XP software and DVD drive. Yet they retain their independence as the move from machine to machine.
This independence allows people to use public computers without a trace of their session being left behind. PC typically store record of activity long after the computer has been logged off.
The device cannot be bought. You have to make it by downloading free softwares onto a computer drive such as the thumb-sized USB flash memory drives that were so popular as gifts this Christmas. It also works with iPods, many other digital music player and regular external drives.
Once the MojoPac shell is created , users need to install their own software - just as they would do in a regular PC running Windows XP.
MojoPac’s developer, RingCube Technologies, assert that most
programs are compatible, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and a slew of free programs.
Other companies are working on simillar technology, but there’s nothing available with free software that is easy to setup as MojoPac.
MojoPac virtual PC are not just designed for mobile use. They can protect users who share the same computer. A virus introduced by one user into their MojoPac, or virtual computer, would not affect the rest, according to RingCube.
MojoPac is available for free on the company’s website, http://www.mojopac.com.
For now it only works with Windows XP, but the company plans to launch a version this summer that allows users to switch between machines running XP and Vista.
PCs that have been locked by administrators so users cannot install files on them won’t work on MojoPac unless adminstrators first installs a small piece of software that is available on the company’s website.
And there is no plans to develop MojoPacs for Mac computers or Linux operating systems.
While most programs work on MojoPac, one good source for the devices is PorableApps.com a site that specializes in offering programs customized for thumb drives.
It list more than three dozen programs, including softwares for fighting viruses, backing up data, surfing the web and viewing documents. There are also programs for word processing, photo editing, spreadsheet and instant messaging.
source: Reuters/Philippine Star
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