508
submitted 2 days ago by Dot@feddit.org to c/politics@lemmy.world
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 days ago

Probably, but whether they can understand it depends on whether Musk and Putin used decent end-to-end encryption. You'd expect they would, in which case the NSA may effectively have only the metadata.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -5 points 2 days ago

My sweet child...you think the NSA cannot break encryption?

[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I think it's possible they can't, depending on the algorithm used and whether they have low-level access to hardware and/or firmware. It's possible that some of the recommended algorithms were chosen for subtle NSA backdoors, and I'm sure they have a lot of resources to throw at high-value communications, but I'd be surprised if every algorithm in current use, with large enough keys, can be cracked by them. A low-level backdoor in the hardware device itself would be a different matter, and this seems like a more practical approach for the NSA than cracking the encryption directly, particularly where the participants are taking extra care. So I'd say it's possible but not certain that they can hear/read these conversations.

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

That does presuppose they don't have a direct tap on either or both lines somewhere.

[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

To get around end-to-end encryption the tap would have to be in the phone handset itself or a vulnerability in the code. I wouldn't rule either out.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -2 points 2 days ago

I can't say much, but I do know they have every computing capacity you can imagine, as well as at least one of every piece of HW, even the stuff that's built in a basement.

[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Still, as far as is commonly known, mathematically cracking encryption where the algorithm is good and keys are large and unique remains impractical for conventional computers. If they're secretly way ahead on quantum computing (which seems unlikely), or if they have discovered mathematical vulnerabilities in common algorithms that have not been published, then that's a different matter. But as far as we know, it must still be difficult for them to attack encryption directly. You suggest you know more than you can say, but if I were them I'd be looking at putting backdoors into phone/computer hardware to get hold of communications before they are E2E encrypted, and/or placing subtle vulnerabilities in open-source code.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -3 points 2 days ago
[-] WildPalmTree@lemmy.world 1 points 21 hours ago

What do you think they have? Alien computers? Not even super-computers make a dent in decryption.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 1 points 20 hours ago

If it's anything like their past, they have at least 2 working Quantum computers.

[-] WildPalmTree@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago

But this is not like the past. Quantum computers is not an step in evolution, it is a jump, as if from no computers to computers. Of course it's possible, but there is no basis or indication for it and so no reason to assume it. Why believe the less likely thing instead of the more likely?

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 1 points 5 hours ago

Not a conventional computer. Would you agree?

[-] WildPalmTree@lemmy.world 1 points 58 minutes ago

Which one? A super computer? Its just faster than a conventional computer by a factor that doesn't matter. A quantum computer? The public field would be way closer to that if "the government" had one that would be useful.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 1 points 48 minutes ago

Obviously you are not aware a Quantum does not operate like a conventional computer. That's fine. No reason to go further.

[-] Gerudo@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago

If you don't understand what the government/military technology is capable of, I'm sorry. I had a coworker who worked in and around extremely high level military surveillance years ago. Back then, they had the capability of turning on any cell phone microphone or camera and real time listen in. He wouldnt go beyond that, but did say/ the surveillance satellites in movies have nothing on current (even back then) capabilities. Imagine now

We are just now learning of Locate X who can pinpoint almost any phone location, tie it to advertising id's and view its movement history, and build an entire picture of what virtually any person on this planet is doing. That's just a company, not the government.

At this point in my life, I view anti tracking, ad block, encryption, alternate OSs etc. as keeping honest people honest. Military/govt. tech has ways around it all.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago

I once enabled some of of those things for a particular customer years ago.

I always liked the idea of leaving a text at a specific location for a specific phone.

[-] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

AES is freely available and if they knew of any weaknesses it probably wouldn't be approved for use on TS data.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -4 points 2 days ago
[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

I see the pot is calling the kettle black.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

But I never claimed to be an expert. Is this the same guy I just blocked?

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Nah, just a guy that read the entire comment tree.

While I agree with you that there's a very very high likelihood of the conversation being recorded in some form or another and likely through a side channel, I feel that your "my sweet child... do you not think the NSA can break encryption" comment to be both condescending to the person you replied to, and hypocritical to the comment I replied to.

Neither you nor I are cryptographers. We can't attest to the security or lack thereof of published cryptographic algorithms.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

Your last sentence is true. It is also true that members of the NSA are cryptographers, and plenty good at it too.

[-] Draces@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

You can't just be a good cryptographer to break a sound encryption. It doesn't work that way. You're basically saying you know p=np which is... I'll just say bold

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -1 points 1 day ago

Another expert heard from. Thans for the Input

[-] Draces@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Why talk down to someone with a valid point calling them a sweet child and then complain you're not an expert, I don't get what your stance is here

[-] WildPalmTree@lemmy.world 1 points 21 hours ago

My sweet child. Bold of you to assume the commenter knows what p=np means. :)

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

My stance for this conversation is amused

[-] Draces@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago
[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -1 points 1 day ago

I agree, you should be

[-] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Don't need to be an expert to know they've changed algorithms and recommended key lengths based on non-public information in the past.

If they allow an algorithm for their own data, it's unlikely they can easily break it.

They have other ways of listening to your phone calls. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/05/photos-of-an-nsa-upgrade-factory-show-cisco-router-getting-implant/

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I worked decades in the phone business. So, I kinda know how it works. Back in the day, we'd call this an invitation to a dick measurement. Not interested

[-] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

That's very exciting for you I suppose, my dad works at Nintendo. People can claim whatever they want on the Internet. You'll have to forgive me for not being impressed by your unverifiable bona fides.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -1 points 2 days ago

I thought I told you I wasn't interested

[-] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Interested enough to respond apparently. It's cute that you think you have some authority here though.

[-] Rapidcreek@lemmy.world -1 points 2 days ago

Well, I do have the authority to block someone who needlessly continues to bother me.

this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2024
508 points (98.1% liked)

politics

19107 readers
3677 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS