For
A complete network-ready system which is also suitable for individual PC
protection; a warning sticker to advertise the protection afforded to your
office equipment.
Against
Nothing because the developer has worked hard to provide a product with no
pitfalls.
Verdict
Once fitted the device and its software ensure that a good level of
security is afforded and you can build on this by using a paging module to
provide constant system status and alarm notification.
Having a hardware security system that is highly
visible is a good deterrent and installing an alarm that can alert
personnel of a breach in security is very useful. Rendering internal
components useless to the thief, who would only have sold them on, by
covering them with an indelible dye is also a great idea. Put them all
together and you have The Barracuda Anti
Theft Device.
Fitting into an 8-bit expansion slot, The
Barracuda Anti Theft Device will protect your computers' components
by using an ambient light sensor to trigger an indelible dye capsule. Barracuda,
when it is armed, measures the ambient level of light and should this
change it will sound an alarm and release the dye. The removal of a
computer's cover, without disarming the Barracuda, will then
result in a severe reduction in the resale value of its internal
components.
The release of the indelible dye will not
damage the components, only mark them, which will make them easily
recognizable as stolen goods. The fierce 120dB alarm, which will trigger
when the internal motion sensor detects movement, will also protect the
computer from being physically removed as a whole.
It is easy, though, to knock a computer
accidentally and the developer has taken this into account. The
Barracuda benefits from an intelligent alarm system, which will only
sound for a period of one second should accidental movement occur, but
beware, should the movement not stop the alarm will continue until the
computer is static - at this point the alarm will still sound for a
further 120 seconds before falling silent.
Having an independent power supply makes Barracuda
extremely versatile as even with the mains supply switched off
computers with this security device will still be protected. The power
supply benefits from a trickle charge when the computer is in use ensuring
that the unit is always ready for action.
Installation requires care. First, ensure
that you have disconnected the computer from the mains supply before you
remove the cover. Never work inside a computer without using an earthing
strap, which will protect you from receiving a nasty shock; even after you
have disconnected from the mains static electricity can still build-up.
The manual is easy to follow and deals with the correct jumper setting
before installation as these need to be changed from their shipping mode.
Each stage of the installation is easy to
follow while fitting the dye capsules is simple to do. A read switch is
supplied, which is similar to a door or window sensor on a home alarm
system, and after installing it you can check that it is correctly fitted
by running the software to test it. The software installation also caused
no problems and it was easy to set the ambient light levels and the motion
sensor. It is important that you check that both boxes are on, that you
have tested the read switch and ensured that you have armed the dye
capsule.
Once installed Barracuda needs two
hours to charge before it will be active and ready to protect your
computer. If you cannot boot-up your computer, for whatever reason, you
can locate the LED and button on the rear of the expansion slot where you
have located the Barracuda. This will allow you to input a
four-digit password, which will enable you to disarm the unit manually.
