Forwarded from: Tcat Houser <Tcat@private> http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/tech/news/2658910 By ELLEN SIMON Associated Press July 1, 2004 NEW YORK - There's a new security threat at some of the nation's military bases - and it looks uncannily like a can of Coke. Specially rigged Coke cans, part of a summer promotion, contain cell phones and global positioning chips. That has officials at some installations worried the cans could be used to eavesdrop, and they are instituting protective measures. Coca-Cola Co. says such concerns are nothing but fizz. Mart Martin, a Coca-Cola spokesman, said no one would mistake a winning can from the "Unexpected Summer" promotion for a regular Coke. The cans have a recessed panel on the outside and a big red button, he said, adding, "It's very clear that there's a cell phone device." Winners activate it by pushing the button, which can only call Coke's prize center, he said. Data from the device can only be received by Coke's prize center. "It cannot be an eavesdropping device," he said. Nonetheless, military bases, including the U.S. Army Armor Center at Fort Knox, Ky., are asking soldiers to look over their Coke cans before going to classified meetings. "We're asking people to open the cans and not bring it in if there's a GPS in it," said Master Sgt. Jerry Meredith, a Fort Knox spokesman. Sue Murphy, a spokeswo-man for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, said personal electronic devices aren't permitted in some buildings and conference rooms. The Marine Corps said all personnel had been advised of the cans and to keep them away from secure areas. Paul Saffo, research director at the Institute for the Future, a technology research firm, compared the concern about the Coke cans to when the Central Intelligence Agency banned Furbies, the stuffed toys that could repeat phrases. "There's things generals should stay up late at night worrying about," he said. "A talking Coke can isn't one of them." But Bruce Don, a senior analyst at the Rand Corp., said the military's concern is rational. "There's a lot of reason to worry about how that technology could be taken advantage of by a third party without Coke's knowledge," he said. _________________________________________ Help InfoSec News with a donation: http://www.c4i.org/donation.html
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