[Ir-l] [IR-L]: RIP and PGP

[Paul Mobbs]

Hi dudes,

>>> However, I have no time for PGP,
>>
>>That's because you don't know ho ridiculously easy and fast it is to use
>>PGP, and it is s-e-c-u-r-e, believe me.  There is no practical way the
>>filth can crack PGP messages effectively,  which is why they are trying
>>to proscribe it.  

I'm not so sure about that.

I was told of a project funded with GCHQ/NSA cash with University College
London to work on a large number factoring solution to PGP. Remember that
PGP doesn't use perfect primes - therefore it's vulnerable to factoring
solutions.

Even if this project has not been completed, it's only a matter of time
before factoring solution is available to PGP. It will still require a lot
of computing power, because factoring reduces the number of possible keys
rather than finding the key itself.

In any case PGP, whilst concealing the data in transit, doesn't solve the
problem of the data sitting on your system. They can come in and get that
when they want to. You might try an encrypt it, but if you study any system:

* people will always have unencrypted versions of their encrypted files;

* there will be chunks of the source file sitting in deleted disk sectors; and

* incredible amounts of data sit around in current and old fragments of
temporary files generated by the operating system.

Encrypted data stands out clearly from the background of more mundane data
on a computer system - because it is so random. also, because the process
of encryption takes time, you only encrypt 'important' information.
Therefore encrypting any file is the equivalent to putting a big, dayglo
banner on it saying "I'm really important data - please hack or crack me".

While encryption might be a useful way of communicating 'secretly', it
still avoids confronting the main issue: that the control freaks at the
Home Office and in the security services are seeking ways of monitoring and
deterring *lawful* and *legitimate* public protest.

The only way to take on the issue is to take these people on directly. That
means not using encryption, but sending our actions and intentions in plain
text so that it trips all the dictionary surveillance systems that the
State has to offer! The success of new laws such as the Terrorism Bill and
the RIP Bill, in terms of the governments approach, will not be successful
raids and searches. Remember that neither Bill creates specific offences -
they are both procedures for search, surveillance and investigation. It
will be the deterrent value the legislation has on ordinary people that the
security services will cherish, and which will restrict the ability of
people to campaign and organise.

There is no way to campaign *safely*. We just have to take people on and go
with whatever happens. Our only defence is not to work as individuals, but
as a 'reciprocity network' where we all look out for one another.



Peace 'n' love


P.



 



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"We are not for names, nor men, nor titles of Government, nor are we for
this party nor against the other
 but we are for justice and mercy and
truth and peace and true freedom, that these may be exalted in our nation,
and that goodness, righteousness, meekness, temperance, peace and unity
with God, and with one another, that these things may abound." (Edward
Burroughs, 1659 - from 'Quaker Faith and Practice')

THE FREE RANGE ACTIVISM NETWORK
Facilitators -
  Paul Mobbs - mobbsey at gn.ac.org, tel./fax 01295 261864
  Tim Shaw - timshaw at gn.apc.org, tel./fax 01558 685353
Website - http://www.gn.apc.org/pmhp/rangers/

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