The New York Times reported today that a German computer engineer has deciphered and published the secret code used to encrypt most of the world’s digital mobile phone calls, in what he called an attempt to expose weaknesses in the security of global wireless systems. Apparently they are specifically talking about GSM, a 21 year old technology…
I personally think this is yet another attention seeking article, this is nothing new, why else would the world leaders for years get special cellphones with 256-bit encryption or whatever if the existing technology is considered to be safe (until today as the article claims).
Anyway, go read the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/technology/29hack.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss and feel free to comment on this. I am looking forward to see your views.
These sorts of issues never get fixed unless someone points out they exist. Same thing is true of the issues with RFID, etc.
These sorts of issues never get fixed unless someone points out they exist. Same thing is true of the issues with RFID, etc.
For those who have been paying attention, it’s obvious the reason GSM encryption is so weak is that the people who want to listen in on your calls want it that way.
Echelon, the global listening system operated by Western governments, depends on access. In the US, the NSA has had secret (and completely illegal) network access to all major telcos and networks for well over 10 years.
This listening is no theory. It’s a documented fact…and the ability to listen was HUGELY enhanced after 9/11.
The last thing governments want is encryption that’s hard to crack. That’s why we don’t have it.
For those who have been paying attention, it’s obvious the reason GSM encryption is so weak is that the people who want to listen in on your calls want it that way.
Echelon, the global listening system operated by Western governments, depends on access. In the US, the NSA has had secret (and completely illegal) network access to all major telcos and networks for well over 10 years.
This listening is no theory. It’s a documented fact…and the ability to listen was HUGELY enhanced after 9/11.
The last thing governments want is encryption that’s hard to crack. That’s why we don’t have it.