Thread: Encryption

  1. #1

    Encryption

    I have heard that there are U.S. laws against high degrees of encryption. Well, I have a question..Err..Three questions:

    1) Is this really true?

    2) What is the reason for this?

    3) How much encryption can you do?
    What will people say if they hear that I'm a Jesus freak?
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  2. #2
    Linguistic Engineer... doubleanti's Avatar
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    there are laws against exportation, i know that much... i'd imagine it's more of a government/military reason... as for the third question, that's really a broad question... if you [or anyone] did more research on the topic, we speak more intelligently about it... any specific technology you're questioning?
    hasafraggin shizigishin oppashigger...

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    Registered User C_Coder's Avatar
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    I don't know about the US, but in the uk they passed a law not so long ago, where you have to register your encryption key's with the police if they ask for it, they don't have to suspect you of anything, they can just be nosy bastards and failure to comply will result in severe punishment. I suppose all it goes to show is that new encryption is pretty good if they have to resort to this
    All spelling mistakes, syntatical errors and stupid comments are intentional.

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    Re: Encryption

    Originally posted by gnu-ehacks
    I have heard that there are U.S. laws against high degrees of encryption. Well, I have a question..Err..Three questions:

    1) Is this really true?

    2) What is the reason for this?

    3) How much encryption can you do?
    1). yes

    2). the goverment likes to be able to spy on your files

    3). The current maximum encryption available to the public is 128 bit(read the bottom to know why this has changed in certain countries). It should be noted the goverment uses 1024 bit so we really are left out in the dark...

    Until recently the U.S. Department of Commerce did not allow software exported from the United States (except to Canada) to include encryption stronger than 56-bit keys except in limited circumstances. Now, users outside the United States and Canada can employ the maximum encryption allowed in their regions by local law, with the exception of Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, and Serbia.

  5. #5
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    Doesn't using encryption simply draw attention to communications? The old "if it's hidden, it must be worth finding" syndrome.
    Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity unto the dream.

  6. #6
    the goverment uses 1024 bit
    Ouch. I didnt know this.
    Doesn't using encryption simply draw attention to communications? The old "if it's hidden, it must be worth finding" syndrome.
    A parallel thought being: The best place to hide something is right out in the open.
    Something vaguly related some people may be interested in (about security and the gov):
    http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/46
    "There's always another way"
    -lightatdawn (lightatdawn.cprogramming.com)

  7. #7
    Hamster without a wheel iain's Avatar
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    there is a degree of truth in it but i think it being exagerrated slightly.

    Ceratin encryptions methods in the US are restricted to Military and Federal uses only - for reasons of National security, paranoia - call it what you wish. The thought behind it being - why do standard citizens need 256 bit encryption on emails saying hell to frineds and family - and they have a point.

    In the UK there is no such law (to my knowledge) but any encyption key requested by law enforcement agenices must be provided. for the same reasons as above.

    While tis may seem an invasion of privacy - it is alos to preserve national security. They dont read every mail and message that gets posted around thenet - its not possible. They are only permitted to intercept 'suspect' mails from flagged offenders/suspects.

    So unless you are an international terrorist, drug barron or arms dealer - you really have very little to worry about.
    Monday - what a way to spend a seventh of your life

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    1) Yes

    2) It's because they are classified as a certain kind of advanced munition. It's also because they don't have the resources to crack 128bit encryption yet.(Although if there were a major war, they could probably get together a Los Alamos-style science collaboration on quantum computing and get it done in a year or two)

    3) 128 bit is usually considered the standard. Anything above that is superfluous right now. I think you can get more if you really want it.

    As for "if it's hidden, it must be worth finding", many people encrypt and "sign" all their communications, regardless of how benign, so that no one can tell the difference between "Hi mom" and "Here are the documents I pilfered from the chairman of the joint chiefs", just in case they feel they have to do things like that at some point in time.
    All generalizations are false

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