Computer Graphics Introduction, Open GL, Line and Circle drawing algorithm
iTwin: A secure USB device that enables remote file access without cloud risks
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SEMINAR REPORT
ON
“iTWIN”
By:-
SUMIT KUMAR SHARMA
Roll No: 11142507
Branch: CSE (5th SEM)
Sec: A (A3)
Year: 2014-2018
MAHARISHI MARKANDESHWAR UNIVERSITY
MULLANA, AMBALA, 133207
DEPT.OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
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ABSTRACT
iTWIN
A USB flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. A Cloud Storage is also a similar case where in the
data is stored remotely and is accessed whenever needed.
But a drawback of this USB flash drives is its small size cause of which it can easily be
misplaced or lost. This is a particular problem if the data it contains is sensitive and
confidential. In Cloud Storages the data can be stolen or misused if the username and
password of an account to access the storage is hacked by someone. There are many more
drawbacks like limited storage, no security, back up, temp files, no remote disable etc.
iTwin is a 'limitless' secure USB device that enables users to access, edit & share all their
files & media between any two online computers anywhere in the world. The only limit is the
size of your computer’s hard drive. iTwin is an innovative solution that allows remote file
access without the security and privacy risks of the cloud and USB flash drives. It’s very easy
to access as a USB device and no special installation is required. iTwin uses thoroughly
analyzed crypto protocols and algorithms(AES 256 bit encryption). It has features like bi-
directional file access, no temp files, remote disable, smart key generation, and password
support and twintrust authentication
iTwin was invented by an Indian named Lux Anantharaman. After achieving a Bachelors
degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from IIT in Chennai and a Masters degree
from IISc in Bangalore, Lux worked first as an IT security researcher at the Institute of
Systems Science, Singapore and then as senior researcher at Kent Ridge Digital Labs and the
Institute for Infocomm Research. Lux specializes in PKI implementations, efficient digital
certificate revocations and usable security. Lux was pursuing a part-time MBA at NUS
Business School, Singapore, but put studies on hold because of potential of iTwin.
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CONTENTS
Abstract 2
Table of Contents 3
1: Introduction 4
2: How to Use iTwin 4-5
3: Features 5-6
4: Create a Private VPN 6-8
5: Uses 8-9
6: Summary 9-10
References 10
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1. INTRODUCTION:
iTwin is a revolutionary new file sharing and remote access device brought to you by a
company called iTwin. It's like two ends of a cable, without the cable. It's as simple to use as
a flash drive. It’s literally plug and play.
iTwin can connect any two online computers anywhere in the world. iTwin enables you to
have access to any or all of your home computer's files and folders while you're on-the-go.
Similarly, you can also use iTwin to access to any or all of your office computer's files and
folders while on-the-go. There's no in-built limit to the amount of storage you can access with
iTwin while you're on-the-go. The only limit is the size of your hard drives. The only other
"limit" is the speed of your Internet connection. The faster it is, the better your experience.
You can select files for accessing later on-the-go, or you can edit them remotely, without the
files leaving your computer. You can also back-up files to your home or office computer
while you're out on-the-go. It's so easy, it's unbelievable.
iTwin was invented by an Indian named Lux Anantharaman. After achieving a Bachelors
degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from IIT in Chennai and a Masters degree
from IISc in Bangalore, Lux worked first as an IT security researcher at the Institute of
Systems Science, Singapore and then as senior researcher at Kent Ridge Digital Labs and the
Institute for Infocomm Research. Lux specializes in PKI implementations, efficient digital
certificate revocations and usable security. Lux was pursuing a part-time MBA at NUS
Business School, Singapore, but put studies on hold because of potential of iTwin.
2. HOW TO USE ITWIN:
When we connect iTwin, you'll see a regular window pop-up, just as you would if you
plugged in a regular USB flash drive. Drag and drop files and folders into this window to
share them - as many as you want. Leave your computer with one half of iTwin connected to
it. Detach the other half of iTwin and take it with you. Wherever you go, you can remotely
access the shared files, simply by plugging the half you are carrying into any online Windows
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computer, anywhere. iTwin allows you to transfer files to - or from - your home computer Or
your office computer. Or your friend's, or your colleague's! iTwin also allows you to edit the
shared files on a remote computer, while keeping them on that remote computer, (no need to
transfer those files before you edit them).
Fig.2.1
3. FEATURES:
Like A Limitless Capacity Secure USB Drive:
iTwin allows you to securely access your entire hard drive. It's as if you are carrying an
access-key to all your files in a device that fits in the palm of your hand. And unlike portable
storage, iTwin lets your data stay safely at home (or in the office).
Remotely edit shared files:
Remotely edit any shared file from any location. iTwin allows you to keep a single version on
one computer, with you and your chosen iTwin partner collaborating directly on this version.
Say goodbye to multiple versions of files flying around by email.
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Backup your data from anywhere:
When you are on the road, you can use iTwin to move copies of files from your laptop to
your home or office computer. If you are traveling and taking lots of pictures, you can free up
your SD card by moving files onto your laptop and transferring them back home. It keeps
your data safe and secure.
One-time cost. No fees, ever:
Don't pay for cloud storage. Don't pay subscription fees for file access. Don't get locked in.
You have all the storage you need on your computer and home hard drive. With iTwin, share
it and access it from anywhere.
Data Security:
iTwin doesn't store any data on itself. It just enables a secure connection between two
computers. Your remote data can only be accessed if you have the physical iTwin with
you. Additionally, you can set up your iTwin to require a password. iTwin includes a feature
that allows you to remotely disable the connection should you lose your remote iTwin
half. So you can rest assured that your data is safe, even if you lose your iTwin device. If
you have ever lost a portable memory device, you know that terrible feeling. We want to
make sure this never happens to you again. It even makes use of AES(256 bit key encryption)
in order to transfer the data from one computer to another.
4. CREATE A PRIVTE VPN:
We can create our own Private VPN and connect any two networks using the two halves of
our iTwin device.
1. To access your Trusted Computer and its network from a remote location, pair an iTwin
device and install iTwin Connect on one computer in your network.
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Fig.4.1
2. Unplug one half of the device and leave the other half plugged into your Trusted Computer.
Leave it powered on and online. Carry the unplugged half with you.
Fig.4.2
3. With one half of your iTwin attached to your Trusted Computer, insert the other iTwin half
into any other online computer. If iTwin Connect is not installed on the computer, it will first
install iTwin Connect. The iTwin Connect icon will then be visible in the taskbar notification
area once the software starts.
4. The two halves of your iTwin have now created a secure Virtual Private Network between
your two computers. Using this VPN tunnel you can access your whole remote network using
iTwin Connect.
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Fig.4.4
5. By default, iTwin Connect allows you to access resources from two networks
simultaneously. This feature is called partial tunneling. You can simultaneously access sites
from your home networks and your remote network. This means that sites blocked on one
network may be accessed though the other network.
6. If you use “Teleport Remote” all Internet traffic will be routed through Trusted, via a
secure encrypted channel. Thus, it will appear as if you are browsing the Internet from your
Trusted Computer. This feature is called full tunneling. ‘Teleport Me’ feature is useful when
you need to protect yourself from eavesdroppers on your untrusted local network or free
public Wi-Fi hotspots at airports and cafes. ‘Teleport Me’ effectively changes your IP address
to that of your Trusted Computer. To websites and services that depend on your IP address
for location, it will appear as if you are browsing from your Trusted Computer
5. USES:
Well Suited for Suits:
iTwin appeals to small business owners who don't need to invest in actual servers and VPNs,
as well as business travelers looking to minimize the risk of carrying sensitive data on a
laptop. Really, anyone who would rather carry a notebook for portability but might
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unexpectedly need access to their bigger hard drive (and for security purposes can't host files
in the cloud) would see the value of iTwin. And now that iTwin works with Macs—and
between Mac and PCs—it's an appealing product for even more kinds of users.
iTwin can't meet the needs of small businesses that need to give multiple employees access to
the same files simultaneously, as iTwin currently only operates on the "twin" one-on-one
basis. But if security concerns are the only worries keeping you down on earth and away
from the cloud, iTwin is an excellent solution.
6. SUMMARY:
The Cloud looms above us all, threatening to rain down a tech torrent onto our hard drives
and memory sticks, frying their circuits into obsolescence. Thankfully, we're not quite there
yet but the iTwin marks a step in that direction. It's a twin pack of USB sticks that lock into
each other, and can transfer files between each other over the web - from thousands of miles
apart.
Stuck together, the iTwin twins look like a double-ended USB flash memory stick. However,
there's no real storage available in either. Instead, this natty gadget creates a sort of wormhole
through the internet, joining together the two computers that the halves of the iTwin are
plugged into.
It doesn't all happen by magic, mind. To start with, the two ends of the iTwin have to be
plugged together, and into a computer. The driver software, included on the stick itself, will
install and the two ends will be linked together as a pair. You then need to leave that USB
stick plugged-in, and the host computer switched on, before plugging the other end into
another internet-connected computer.
Do so and, voila, the software will install in a minute on the second computer and the
estranged identical twins will start talking over the web. However, you aren't given full and
unrestricted access to the first computer's hard drive.
Instead iTwin creates its own "virtual storage" drive that appears as a network drive in
Windows's My Computer area. Either computer can then fill this space with any kind of files
and folders - it's much like using a USB stick, except that there's no actual storage here in the
traditional sense. The data isn't uploaded to some mystical cloud server either. Getting your
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head around how iTwin really works takes some thought. Adding a file to the stick's storage
is more like clearing it for sharing with its buddy rather than involving any direct file transfer.
When online transfer of files is very simple with a high-speed broadband connection, iTwin
relies on the dual selling points of security and that "it just works" factor, in justifying its
£100 price tag. For the most part these two arguments are sound too. We did have a little
trouble installing the software on one computer during testing, but this seemed to be due to an
earlier mid-install abort and was soon sorted.
The iTwin's metal-covered body is strong and very light - not too surprising considering there
can't be all that much to fit in, component-wise. The only durability concern is that the
connection between the twins is exposed. However, it's more likely to become a problem by
being caked with dirt, dust or generic gunk rather than the victim of physical damage. Lights
on the side of the iTwin tell you if there's something awry (a red light, naturally), and if it's
currently working away - with a blue light.
REFERENCES:
http://static.trustedreviews.com/099543|e088_itwin.jpg
http://www.itwin.com/
www.seminarsonly.com/
www.slideshare.net/itwin-the-limitless-usb-drive
www.itwin.com/pdf/is_magazine_feature.pdf