THE ROSE REVIEW: Entertainment & Technology

WiFi's Little Secret - You're Not 100 Percent Safe -- Protect your identity and data when using a WiFi "hotspot" - StealthSurfer II makes wireless surfing secure

Stealth Ideas Inc (www.stealthsurfer.com), a portable privacy software company, announced that its recently unveiled StealthSurfer II device will now allow for 100-percent secure and encrypted wireless Web browsing. StealthSurfer II is a thumb-sized flash storage drive which allows consumers to surf the Web with anonymity from any computer - even over a wireless connection. StealthSurfer II's integrated privacy features keep surfers safe from identity theft as well as from phishing and pharming spam attacks. Ideal for frequent coffee shop surfers, airport travelers, Internet café goers or anyone who uses their laptop wirelessly in a public "hotspot," the StealthSurfer is the most robust and complete privacy and identity protection tool on the market.

The Risk

Wireless networks in public areas or "hot spots" (like Internet cafés) often do not provide adequate security. A recent polling revealed that most public and private Wi-Fi networks used no encryption at all. Moreover, even when the host does have the proper security settings enabled, consumers still leave themselves at risk to knowledgeable hackers or wardrivers (those who use easy-to-obtain "sniffing" software to find unprotected networks). Once penetrated, an experienced attacker could implant malicious programs, including spyware, adware or Trojan horse applications, directly onto a computer.

The Solution

With StealthSurfer II, wireless Internet access is totally safe and secure. By using the device's customized FireFox browser and integrated IP masking, an encrypted tunnel is created between the surfer's laptop and the receiving Web site. This encrypted data stream cannot be read by anyone but the host computer. Any data packets intercepted would appear as illegible data garbage rendering the attack useless. All user data (such as confidential credit card and social security numbers) remains protected and secure.

Tiny enough to carry on a keychain, the USB 2.0 flash drive plugs into the USB port of a computer and allows users to surf the Web with total privacy. The device is available in memory configurations of 128-megabytes to one-gigabyte at pricing starting at $99. Small, sleek and versatile, StealthSurfer II offers the very best in portability, privacy and identity theft protection.

Comprehensive Privacy Solution - all integrated under one hood

StealthSurfer II is loaded with a host of privacy protection tools that are seamlessly integrated into one tiny and portable keychain device. With all these tools "under one hood," users can not only protect their laptop or personal computer, but can now take this virtual "armor" with them wherever they go - even when traveling or using public computers. The full suite of protection includes:

Firefox (high-speed browser with enhanced security):
Surf the Web with the newest Internet browser with the highest security capabilities available. Firefox empowers users to browse faster, more safely and more efficiently than with any other browser. Built with security in mind, Firefox keeps computers safe from malicious spyware and includes a comprehensive set of privacy features to keep online activity secure.

Anonymizer Anonymous Surfing (complete IP masking):
Anonymous Surfing safeguards a user's identity and Internet activities by shielding their IP, or Internet address, from hackers and online snoops. An encrypted path is created between a user's computer and the Internet using 128-bit SSL technology, the most secure form of SSL available, to ensure the highest level of protection and anonymity.

RoboForm (one-click form-fill and user ID/password management application):
This integrated tool simplifies the process of filling out online forms by storing multiple user identities, including name, address, phone number, and other important information required by the user; it also securely stores confidential data such as passwords, bank accounts, and credit card numbers.

Thunderbird (portable email access):
Access an email account anywhere at anytime. Thunderbird gives users a faster, safer and more productive email experience. Designed to prevent viruses and to stop junk mail, this tool is portable and can secure both POP mail (such as through Outlook or Outlook Express) and Web-based email.

About Stealth Ideas Inc :
Stealth Ideas Inc is a portable software solution company integrating products for computer software with a focus on secure, convenient and portable applications. The company was launched in 2002 by a team of experienced business owners with a track record for bringing innovative technologies to the consumer arena. Architects of the StealthSurfer and StealthSurfer II have a long history in technology innovations and leadership and are the creators of the third-party telephone billing systems of the early 80s. The StealthSurfer line of products is designed to offer both consumer and enterprise professionals the security and portability needed in today's Web-centric world. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.stealthsurfer.com , or call 888-742-4747.

But they say it's only available for a limited time, and only to AOL members. The trials run anywhere from 30 days to 3 months. No charge to you if you cancel before the trial ends. Members can even get free phone minutes to use, whether they wind up signing up for AOL's phone service or not.

So, even though AOL has been making a big push into offering free online content (and making money with ads on such content), it still wants to get new paying subscribers, and this enticement is intended to show some of its cool advanced features (which cost extra $, above the monthly member fee). Examples: phone services via broadband, online music downloads, caller alert, and more.

For more info, go to www.aol.com

How will Google's recent investment into AOL affect all this? Perhaps Google will develop new services for AOL. Also, an AOL spinoff IPO (away from Time Warner) is one rumored possibility, in a year or two. Holy Deja Vu: Could it be AOL will become a darling Internet stock again, leading to late-nineties-esque mania once more? Stay tuned....