| From: | Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Easy Unbreakable Encryption! |
| Date: | Wed, 21 Jun 1995 11:06:45 -0400 |
writes:
>> You're wrong. *ANY* encryption algorithm can be cracked, given enough
>> time and effort. This is a fact.
Robert> Not in real time, Rat...
Of course, that's the point of encryption, not to make the information
invulnerable but to make it cost an attacker more to break in than the
information is worth to him.
Robert> Sure, you can crack it eventually, but while they are talking?
Robert> Get real.
The NSA has systems right now that could break a single 1024-bit PGP key
in about 30 hours, assuming that they a) wanted to spend the time and
resources and b) wanted to publicly acknowledge that they have this
capability.
[...]
Robert> Except that there are probably about 10 million other phones in
Robert> the city ALL on similar frequencies. More like a beacon in a
Robert> floodlit area.
Well, if it's impossible to single out your cellphone, then it must be
impossible for you to make or receive calls, right? Wrong. The phone
companies can receive your signals and distinguish it from the 9,999,999
other cellphones out there just fine, thankyouverymuch. And if they can
do it, so can I.
All I need to find you is the frequency shift pattern used on your
particular phone (takes a trivial run against the phone company's
database to get that), two receivers keyed to that, and I'm on your
tail.
And you'll never know it.
--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> |Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox/|accelerate to dangerous speeds.
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |
