May 1993 - cypherpunks-legacy

my menu sys.
by J. Michael Diehl 25 May '93

25 May '93

After I posted my menu batch file for pgp, I realized that I hadn't put my name on it, which I felt I should do. So, here it is, with with my copyleft message attatched. I hope someone enjoys it. rem This is the PGP menu system by Mike Diehl version 0.0. This program rem requires 4dos command.com replacement to run. It may run under norton's rem N-dos. Since I wrote this program for my own use, and in an effort to help rem with the cypherpunk cause, I am releasing this program into the public rem domain. I ask that this message not be removed, and that you do not rem distribute modified copies of this program. Further, I hope that, if you rem think this program makes pgp easier to use, you will send me an (encrypted) rem email message telling me so. It helps my ego to think someone likes my rem program besides me. ;^) I have enclosed my pgp 2.2 public key at the end rem of this file. Take care, and enjoy. Mike Diehl. rem @echo off setlocal break on :main cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 4 29 16 49 2 red on black scrput 1 27 blue on black Mike's PGP shell ver. 0.0. scrput 3 35 blue on black MAIN MENU scrput 5 32 red on black Encrypt a file. scrput 7 32 red on black Decrypt a file. scrput 09 32 red on black siGn a file. scrput 11 32 red on black Wipe file. scrput 13 32 red on black Next menu. scrput 15 32 red on black Quit. scrput 18 5 white on black Select an option by typing the corisponding capitalized letter. scrput 19 5 white on black For example, to encrypt a file, you would press the E key. inkey /K"EeDdGgWwNnQq" %%in goto menu1-%in :menu1-q screen 17 26 pause cls endlocal quit :menu1-e cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of a file to be scrput 19 5 white on black encrypted. Then you will be asked for the names of scrput 20 5 white on black the people who should be able to read the file. scrput 21 5 white on black Enter them all on the line separated by a space. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the file to encrypt. screen 7 52 input %%file if exist %file goto menu1-e-good scrput 15 10 red on black That file is not in the current directory! screen 16 10 pause goto menu1-e :menu1-e-good drawbox 10 3 12 74 2 red on black scrput 11 5 red on black Enter the name(s) of the recipients. screen 11 52 input %%in cls rem I never claimed that this would be elegent.... drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you are asked if you want to mark this message "For Your Eyes Only," scrput 19 5 white on black and if you want to sign the message. If you reply 'y' to the first scrput 20 5 white on black question, the recipient will only be ablt to display the message. He scrput 21 5 white on black won't be to save it. If you reply 'y' to the second question, the scrput 22 5 white on black recipient will know for certain that the message is from you. drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 7 5 red on black Would you like to mark this "For Your Eyes Only?" inkey /K"ynN" %%f drawbox 10 3 12 74 2 red on black scrput 11 5 red on black Would you like to sign this message? inkey /K"ynN" %%s if "%f" == "y" goto f if "%s" == "y" goto s cls pgp -pe %file %in goto encrypted :f if "%s" == "y" goto sf cls pgp -mep %file %in goto encrypted :sf cls pgp -mesp %file %in goto encrypted :s cls pgp -pes %file %in :encrypted echo %(a)name[%file].asc is the name of the encrypted file. pause goto main :menu1-d cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of a file to be scrput 19 5 white on black read. Then you will be asked if you want to save the scrput 20 5 white on black plaintext file. If you do, you will be asked for a scrput 21 5 white on black new filename. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the file to read. screen 7 52 input %%file if exist %file goto menu1-d-good scrput 15 10 red on black That file is not in the current directory! screen 16 10 pause goto main :menu1-d-good cls pgp -m %file goto main :menu1-g cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of a file to be scrput 19 5 white on black signed. If you sign a message, it can be proved that scrput 20 5 white on black it came from you. There is no "Plausible Deniability." scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the file to signed. screen 7 52 input %%file if exist %file goto menu1-g-good scrput 15 10 red on black That file is not in the current directory! screen 16 10 pause goto main :menu1-g-good cls pgp -s %file echo %(a)name[%file].asc is the name of the signed file. pause goto main :menu1-w cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of a file to be scrput 19 5 white on black wiped. Remember, after a file is wiped... scrput 20 5 blink white on black There is no way to retrieve the file! scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the file to wiped. screen 7 52 input %%file if exist %file goto menu1-w-good scrput 15 10 red on black That file is not in the current directory! screen 16 10 pause goto main :menu1-w-good cls pgp -w %file goto main :menu1-n cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 4 29 16 49 2 red on black scrput 1 27 blue on black Mike's PGP shell ver. 0.0. scrput 3 35 blue on black SECOND MENU scrput 5 32 red on black Add a key. scrput 7 32 red on black Extract a key. scrput 09 32 red on black View a key. scrput 11 32 red on black Fingerprint. scrput 13 32 red on black Next menu. scrput 15 32 red on black Quit. scrput 18 5 white on black Select an option by typing the corisponding capitalized letter. scrput 19 5 white on black For example, to add a key to your ring, you would press the A key. inkey /K"AaEeVvFfNnQq" %%in goto menu2-%in :menu2-q goto menu1-q :menu2-a cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of a file that scrput 19 5 white on black contains the keys to be added to your public key ring. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the file to read. screen 7 52 input %%file if exist %file goto menu2-a-good scrput 15 10 red on black That file is not in the current directory! screen 16 10 pause goto main :menu2-a-good cls pgp -ka %file pause goto main :menu2-e cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the key ID to be extracted. scrput 19 5 white on black Then you will be asked for the names of the file to scrput 20 5 white on black put the key in. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the key ID to extract. screen 7 52 input %%in drawbox 10 3 12 74 2 red on black scrput 11 5 red on black Enter the name of the file that is to hold the key. screen 11 59 input %%file if not exist %file goto menu2-e-good scrput 10 10 red on black That file already exists in the current directory! screen 16 10 pause goto main :menu2-e-good cls pgp -kx %in %file echo %(a)name[%file].asc contains the key for %in. pause goto main :menu2-v cls pgp -kv pause goto main :menu2-f cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of the person who's key fingerprint you scrput 19 5 white on black want to examine. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the person. screen 7 52 input %%in cls pgp -kvc %in echo Remember to write this information down! pause goto main :menu2-n cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 4 29 16 49 2 red on black scrput 1 27 blue on black Mike's PGP shell ver. 0.0. scrput 3 35 blue on black THIRD MENU scrput 5 32 red on black Generate a key. scrput 7 32 red on black Remove a key. scrput 09 32 red on black Disable a key. scrput 13 32 red on black Next menu. scrput 15 32 red on black Quit. scrput 18 5 white on black Select an option by typing the corisponding capitalized letter. scrput 19 5 white on black For example, to generate a new key, you would press the G key. inkey /K"GgRrDdNnQq" %%in goto menu3-%in :menu3-g cls pgp -kg pause goto main :menu3-r cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of the key to be scrput 19 5 white on black removed. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the key to remove. screen 7 52 input %%in cls pgp -kr %in pause goto main :menu3-q goto menu1-q :menu3-d cls drawbox 0 0 23 78 2 red on black drawhline 17 0 79 1 red on black drawbox 6 3 8 74 2 red on black scrput 18 5 white on black Here you will be asked for the name of the key to be scrput 19 5 white on black either disabled or re-enabled. scrput 7 5 red on black Enter the name of the key. screen 7 52 input %%in cls pgp -kd %in pause goto main :menu3-n goto main I may be reached by any of these addresses. mdiehl(a)triton.unm.edu, al945(a)cwns9.ins.cwru.edu Or, in care of Rory McManus at r.mcmanus4(a)genie.geis.com -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Version: 2.2 mQA9Aiu/jVAAAAEBgM2F5mSlCA+KRd6TXIrqmPfiiAEytwSttZs7Yua939GMu2mP JL+5Qpi/ZKqF2nAJAwAFEbQsSi4gTWljaGFlbCBEaWVobCwgMSwgPG1kaWVobEB0 cml0b24udW5tLmVkdT4= =lyvx -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

1 0

macworld
by Steven Levy 25 May '93

25 May '93

two short comments about the macworld privacy issue we have a long lead time and the column about digital telephone (oops, telephony) was in before the clipper stuff broke and eric, while correct about Mitch Ratcliffe being a fine reporter who is totally on top of privacy stuff, has the publication wrong - Mitch is with MacWeek, not Macworld. Easy to confuse. Steven

1 0

Oregon, guns, etc.
by greg＠ideath.goldenbear.com 25 May '93

25 May '93

Brad Cox (bcox(a)gmu.edu) writes: > >I'm sure lots of people could give examples of areas where "everyone" > >*is* armed, and while they certainly don't rely on "the government" > >(i.e., local police forces) for protection, most would agree the > >situation is not desirable ... > > Yep. Switzerland for sure (every draft age citizen keeps an assault rifle > and ammo). Similarly for most US rural states; Oregon, South Carolina, > Texas and Arizona come to mind. So do shooting ranges and guns shows most > anywhere. This is absolutely untrue of Oregon - at least in the Willamette Valley. I see fewer guns (and gun-racks in pickup trucks) here than I did when I lived in Southern California. It is difficult for me to express how uninterested I am in the prospect of debating gun control here in cypherpunks. I will compromise with "very, very, uninterested." -- Greg Broiles greg(a)goldenbear.com Golden Bear Computer Consulting +1 503 465 0325 Box 12005 Eugene OR 97440 BBS: +1 503 687 7764

1 0

FOIA INFO 2/2
by fergp＠sytex.com 25 May '93

25 May '93

[ continued from previous message ] I do not want just "interim" documents. I want all documents as they appear in the "main" files and "see references" of all units of your agency. If documents are denied in whole or in part, please specify which exemption(s) is(are) claimed for each passage or whole document denied. Please provide a complete itemized inventory and a detailed factual justification of total or partial denial of documents. Give the number of pages in each document and the total number of pages pertaining to this request. For "classified" material denied please include the following information: the classification (confidential, secret or top secret); identity of the classifier; date or event for automatic de-classification, classification review, or down-grading; if applicable, identity of official authorizing extension of automatic de-classification or review; and if applicable, the reason for extended classification. I request that excised material be "blacked out" rather than "whited out" or cut out and that the remaining non-exempt portions of documents will be released as provided under the Freedom of Information Act. Please send a memo (copy to me) to the appropriate units in your office to assure that no records related to this request are destroyed. Please advise of any destruction of records and include the date of and authority for such destruction. As I expect to appeal any denials, please specify the office and address to which an appeal should be directed. I believe my request qualifies for a waiver of fees since the release of the requested information would primarily benefit the general public and be "in the public interest." I can be reached at the phone listed below. Please call rather than write if there are any questions or if you need additional information from me. I expect a response to this request within ten (10) working days, as provided for in the Freedom of Information Act. Sincerely, name: _______________________________________________ address: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ telephone: __________________________________________ signature: __________________________________________ SAMPLE AGENCY REQUEST LETTER DATE: TO: FOIA/PA Unit This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I request a complete and thorough search of all filing systems and locations for all records maintained by your agency pertaining to and/or captioned ______________________________________________________ [describe records desired and/or insert full and ______________________________________________________ formal name] ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ including, without limitation, files and documents captioned, or whose captions include: ______________________________________________________ [insert changes in name, commonly used names, ______________________________________________________ acronyms, sub-groups and the like] ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ I also request all "see references" to these names, a search of the ELSUR Index or any similar technique for locating records of electronic surveillance. This request is also a request for any corresponding files in INS Headquarters or regional offices. Please place any "missing" files pertaining to this request on "special locate" and advise that you have done this. If documents are denied in part or whole, please specify which exemption(s) is(are) claimed for each passage or whole document denied. Please provide a complete itemized inventory and detailed factual justification of total or partial denial of documents. Specify the number of pates in each document and th total number of pages pertaining to this request. For classified material denied, please include the following information: the classification rating (confidential, secret, or top secret); identify the classifier; date or event for automatic de-classification, classification review or downgrading; if applicable, identify the official authorizing extension of automatic de-classification or review; and, if applicable, give the reason for extended classification. I request that excised material be "blacked out" rather than "whited out" or cut out. I expect, as provided by the Freedom of Information Act, that the remaining non-exempt portions of documents will be released. Please send a memo (copy to me) to the appropriate units in your office or agency to assure that no records related to this request are destroyed. Please advise of any destruction of records and include the date of and authority for such destruction. As I expect to appeal any denials, please specify the office and address to which an appeal should be directed. I believe my request qualifies for a waiver of fees since the release of the requested information would primarily benefit the general public and be "in the public interest." I can be reached at the phone listed below. Please call rather than write if there are any questions or if you need additional information from me. I expect a response to this request within ten (10) working days, as provided for in the Freedom of Information Act. Sincerely, name: _______________________________________________ address: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ telephone: (___)_______________________________________ signature: __________________________________________ SAMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL LETTER Date: To: FOIA/PA Appeals Office RE: Request number [Add this if the agency has given your request a number] This is an appeal pursuant to subsection (a)(6) of the Freedom of Information Act as amended (5U.S.C. 552). On [date], I received a letter from [name of official] of your agency denying my request for [describe briefly the information you are after]. This reply indicated that an appeal letter could be sent to you. I am enclosing a copy of my exchange of correspondence with your agency so that you can see exactly what files I have requested and the insubstantial grounds on which my request has been denied. [Optional paragraph, to be used if the agency has withheld all or nearly all the material which has been requested]: You will note that your agency has withheld the entire (or nearly the entire) document (or file, or report, or whatever) that I requested. Since the FOIA provides that "any reasonably secregable portion of a record shall be provided to any person requesting such record after deletion of the portions which are exempt," I believe that your agency has not complied with the FOIA. I believe that there must be (additional) secregable portions which do not fall within FOIA exemptions and which must be released. [Optional paragraph, to be used in the agency has used the (b)(1) exemption for national security, to withhold information] Your agency has used the (b)(1) exemption to withhold information [I question whether files relating to events that took place over twenty years ago could realistically harm the national security.] [Because I am familiar with my own activities during the period in question, and know that none of these activities in any way posed a significant threat to the national security, I question the designation of my files or portions of my file as classified and exempt from disclosure because of national security considerations.] [Sample optional argument to be used if the exemption which is claimed does not seem to make sense; you should cite as many specific instances as you care to of items withheld from the documents that you have received. We provide two examples which you might want to adapt to your own case.] "On the memo dated _____________ the second paragraph withheld under the (b)(1) exemption appears to be describing a conversation at an open meeting. If this is the case, it is impossible that the substance of this conversation could be properly classified." Or, "The memo dated _____ refers to a meeting which I attended, but a substantial portion is deleted because of the (b)(6) and (b)(7)(c) exemptions for unwarranted invasions of personal privacy. Since I already know who attended this meeting, no privacy interest is served by the withholding." I trust that upon examination of my request, you will conclude that the records I requested are not properly covered by exemption(s) [here repeat the exemptions which the agency's denial letter claimed applied to your request] of the amended FOIA, and that you will overrule the decision to withhold the information. [Use if an itemized inventory is not supplied originally] If you choose instead to continue to withhold some or all of the material which was denied in my initial request to your agency, I ask that you give me an index of such material, together with the justification for the denial of each item which is still withheld. As provided in the Act, I will expect to receive a reply to this administrative appeal letter within twenty working days. If you deny this appeal and do not adequately explain why the material withheld is properly exempt, I intend to initial a lawsuit to compel its disclosure. [You can say that you intend to sue, if that is your present inclination; you may still decide ultimately not to file suit.] Sincerely yours, name: ____________________________________________ address: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ signature: ___________________________________________ [Mark clearly on envelope: Attention: Freedom of Information Appeals] FBI ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS FBI Headquarters, J. Edgar Hoover Bldg, Washington, D.C., 20535, 202-324-5520 (FOI/PA Unit) Field Offices Albany, NY 12207, U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, 518-465-7551 Albuquerque, NM 87101, Federal Office Bldg., 505-247-1555 Alexandria, VA 22314, 300 N. Lee St., 703-683-2681 Anchorage, AK 99510, Federal bldg., 907-272-6414 Atlanta, GA 30303, 275 Peachtree St. NE, 404-521-3900 Baltimore, MD 21207, 7142 Ambassador Rd., 301-265-8080 Birmingham, AL 35203, Room 1400, 2121 Bldg. 205-252-7705 Boston, MA 02203, J.F. Kennedy Federal Office Bldg., 617-742-5533 Buffalo, NY 14202, 111 W. Huron St., 716-856-7800 Butte, MT 59701, U.S. Courthouse and Federal Bldg., 406-792-2304 Charlotte, NC 28202, Jefferson Standard Life Bldg., 704-372-5485 Chicago, IL 60604, Everett McKinley Dirksen Bldg., 312-431-1333 Cincinnati, OH 45202, 400 U.S. Post Office & Crthse Bldg., 513-421-4310 Cleveland, OH 44199, Federal Office Bldg., 216-522-1401 Columbia, SC 29201, 1529 Hampton St., 803-254-3011 Dallas TX 75201, 1810 Commerce St., 214-741-1851 Denver, CO 80202, Federal Office Bldg., 303-629-7171 Detroit, MI 48226, 477 Michigan Ave., 313-965-2323 El Paso, TX 79901, 202 U.S. Courthouse Bldg., 915-533-7451 Honolulu, HI 96850, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., 808-521-1411 Houston, TX 77002, 6015 Fed. Bldg and U.S.Courthouse, 713-224-1511 Indianapolis, IN 46202, 575 N. Pennsylvania St., 317-639-3301 Jackson, MS 39205, Unifirst Federal and Loan Bldg., 601-948-5000 Jacksonville, FL 32211, 7820 Arlington Expressway, 904-721-1211 Kansas City, MO 64106, 300 U.S. Courthouse Bldg., 816-221-6100 Knoxville, TN 37919, 1111 Northshore Dr., 615-588-8571 Las Vegas, NV 89101, Federal Office Bldg., 702-385-1281 Little Rock, AR 72201, 215 U.S Post Office Bldg., 501-372-7211 Los Angeles, CA 90024, 11000 Wilshire Blvd, 213-272-6161 Louisville, KY 40202, Federal Bldg., 502-583-3941 Memphis, TN 38103, Clifford Davis Federal bldg., 901-525-7373 Miami, FL 33137, 3801 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-3333 Milwaukee, WI 53202, Federal Bldg and U.S. Courthouse, 414-276-4681 Minneapolis, MN 55401, 392 Federal Bldg., 612-339-7846 Mobile, AL 36602, Federal Bldg., 205-438-3675 Newark, NJ 07101, Gateway I, Market St., 201-622-5613 New Haven, CT 06510, 170 Orange St., 203-777-6311 New Orleans, LA 70113, 701 Loyola Ave., 504-522-4671 New York, NY 10007, 26 Federal Plaza, 212-553-2700 Norfolk, VA, 23502, 870 N. Military Hwy., 804-461-2121 Oklahoma City, OK 73118, 50 Penn Pl. NW, 405-842-7471 Omaha, NB 68102, 215 N. 17th St., 402-348-1210 Philadelphia, PA 19106, Federal Office Bldg., 215-629-0800 Phoenix, AZ 85004, 2721 N. central Ave., 602-279-5511 Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Federal Office Bldg., 412-471-2000 Portland, OR 97201, Crown Plaza Bldg., 503-224-4181 Richmond, VA 23220, 200 W. Grace St., 804-644-2531 Sacramento, CA 95825, Federal Bldg., 916-481-9110 St. Louis, MO 63103, 2704 Federal Bldg., 314-241-5357 Salt Lake City, UT 84138, Federal Bldg., 801-355-7521 San Diego, CA 92188, Federal Office Bldg., 619-231-1122 San Francisco, CA 94102, 450 Golden Gate Ave., 415-552-2155 San Juan, PR 00918 U.S. Courthouse and Fed. Bldg., 809-754-6000 Savannah, GA 31405, 5401 Paulson St., 912-354-9911 Seattle, WA 98174, 915 2nd Ave., 206-622-0460 Springfield, IL 62702, 535 W. Jefferson St., 217-522-9675 Tampa, FL 33602, Federal Office Bldg., 813-228-7661 Washington, DC 20535, 9th and Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-324-3000 FEDERAL AGENCIES (SELECTED ADDRESSES) Central Intelligence Agency Information and Privacy Coordinator Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 20505 202-351-5659 Civil Service Commission Appropriate Bureau (Bureau of Personnel Investigation, Bureau of Personnel Information Systems, etc.) Civil Service Commission 1900 E Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20415 202-632-4431 Commission on Civil Rights General Counsel, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 1121 Vermont Ave., N.W. Room 600 Washington, D.C. 20415 202-254-6610 Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of the Secretary Consumer Product Safety Commission 1111 18th St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20207 202-624-7700 Department of Defense/Dept. of Air Force Freedom of Information Manager Headquarters, USAF/DADF Washington, D.C. 20330-5025 202-697-3467 I'd suggest calling first to insure the correctness of the addresses. Cheers. Paul Ferguson | The future is now. Network Integrator | History will tell the tale; Centreville, Virginia USA | We must endure and struggle fergp(a)sytex.com | to shape it. Stop the Wiretap (Clipper/Capstone) Chip.

1 0

FOIA INFO 1/2
by fergp＠sytex.com 25 May '93

25 May '93

Phil Karn e-mailed me about posting dotted "i"s and crossed "t" FOIA sample letters. These are perhaps the best that I've seen and work well, however, I would suggest that takers have them notorozied prior to sending them the agengies in question. - -- FOIA FILES KIT - INSTRUCTIONS USING THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REVISED EDITION Fund for Open Information and Accountability, Inc. 339 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012 (212) 477-3188 INSTRUCTIONS The Freedom of Information Act entitles you to request any record maintained by a federal Executive branch agency. The agency must release the requested material unless it falls into one of nine exempt categories, such as "national security," "privacy," "confidential source" and the like, in which case the agency may but is not compelled to refuse to disclose the records. This kit contains all the material needed to make FOIA requests for records on an individual, an organization or on a particular subject matter or event. HOW TO MAKE A COMPLETE REQUEST Step 1: Select the appropriate sample letter. Fill in the blanks in the body of the letter. Read the directions printed to the right of each letter in conjunction with the following instructions: For organizational files: In the first blank space insert the full and formal name of the organization whose files you are requesting. In the second blank space insert any other names, acronyms or shortened forms by which the organization is or has ever been known or referred to by itself or others. If some of the organization's work is conducted by sub-groups such as clubs, committees, special programs or through coalitions known by other names, these should be listed. For individual files: Insert the person's full name in the first blank space and any variations in spelling, nicknames, stage names, marriage names, titles and the like in the second blank space. Unlike other requests, the signatures of an individual requesting her/his own file must be notarized. For subject matter or event files: In the first blank space state the formal title of the subject matter or event including relevant dates and locations. In the second blank space provide the names of individuals or group sponsors or participants and/or any other information that would assist the agency in locating the material you are requesting. Step 2: The completed sample letter may be removed, photocopies and mailed as is or retyped on your own stationary. Be sure to keep a copy of each letter. Step 3: Addressing the letters: Consult list of agency addresses. FBI: A complete request requires a minimum of two letters. Sen done letter to FBI Headquarters and separate letter to each FBI field office nearest the location of the individual, the organization or the subject matter/event. Consider the location of residences, schools, work and other activities. INS: Send a request letter to each district office nearest the location of the individual, the organization or the subject matter/event. Address each letter to the FOIA/PA office of the appropriate agency. Be sure to make clearly on the envelope: ATTENTION--FOIA REQUEST. FEE WAIVER You will notice that the sample letters include a request for fee waiver. Many agencies automatically waive fees if a request results in the release of only a small number of documents, e.g. 250 pages or less. Under the Act, you are entitled to a waiver of all search and copy fees associated with your request if the release of the information would primarily benefit the general public. However, in January 1983, the Justice Department issued a memo to all federal agencies listing five criteria which requesters must meet before they are deemed entitled to a fee waiver. Under these criteria, a requester must show that the material sought to be released is already the subject of "genuine public interest" and "meaningfully contributes to the public development or understanding of the subject"; and that she/he has the qualifications to understand and evaluate the materials and the ability to interpret and disseminate the information to th public and is not motivated by any "personal interest." Finally, if the requested information is already "in the public domain," such as in the agency's reading room, no fee waiver will be granted. You should always request a waiver of fees if you believe the information you are seeking will benefit the public. If your request for a waiver is denied, you should appeal that denial, citing the ways in which your request meets the standards set out above. MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF YOUR REQUEST Customarily, you will receive a letter from each agency within 10 days stating that your request has been received and is being processed. You may be asked to be patient and told that requests are handled cafeteria style. You have no alternative but to be somewhat patient. but there is no reason to be complacent and simply sit and wait. A good strategy is to telephone the FOIA office in each agency after about a month if nothing of substance has been received. Ask for a progress report. The name of the person you talk with and the gist of the conversation should be recorded. try to take notes during the conversation focusing especially on what is said by the agency official. Write down all the details you can recall after the call is completed. Continue to call every 4 to 6 weeks. Good record keeping helps avoid time-consuming and frustrating confusion. A looseleaf notebook with a section devoted to each request simplifies this task. Intervening correspondence to and from the agency can be inserted between the notes on phone calls so that all relevant material will be at hand for the various tasks: phone consultations, writing the newsletter, correspondence, articles, preparation for media appearances, congressional testimony or litigation, if that course is adopted. HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU ARE ENTITLED TO ... AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU DO NOT After each agency has searched and processed your request, you will receive a letter that announces the outcome, encloses the released documents, if any, and explains where to direct an appeal if any material has been withheld. There are four possible outcomes: 1. Request granted in full: This response indicates that the agency has released all records pertinent to your request, with no exclusions or withholdings. The documents may be enclosed or, if bulky, may be mailed under separate cover. This is a very rare outcome. Next Step: Check documents for completeness (see instructions below). 2. Requested granted in part and denied in part: This response indicates that the agency is releasing some material but has withheld some documents entirely or excised some passages from the documents released. The released documents may be enclosed or, if bulky, mailed under separate cover. Next step: Check documents released for completeness (see instructions below) and make an administrative appeal of denials or incompleteness (see instructions below). 3. Request denied in full: This response indicates that the agency is asserting that all material in its files pertaining to your request falls under one or the nine FOIA exemptions. These are categories of information that the agency may, at its discretion, refuse to release. Next step: Make an administrative appeal (see instructions below). Since FOIA exemptions are not mandatory, even a complete denial of your request can and should be appeals. 4. No records: This response will state that a search of the agency's files indicates that it has no records corresponding to those you requested. Next step: Check your original request to be sure you have not overlooked anything. If you receive documents from other agencies, review them for indications that there is material in the files of the agency claiming it has none. For example, look for correspondence, or references to correspondence, to or from that agency. If you determine that there are reasonable grounds, file an administrative appeal (see instructions below). HOW TO CHECK FOR COMPLETENESS Step 1: Before reading the documents, turn them over and number the back of each page sequentially. The packet may contain documents from the agency's headquarters as well as several field office files. Separate the documents into their respective office packets. Each of these offices will have assigned the investigation a separate file number. Try to find the numbering system. Usually the lower right hand corner of the first page carries a hand-written file and document number. For instance, an FBI document might be marked "100-7142-22". This would indicate that it is the 22nd document in the 7142nd file in the 100 classification. As you inspect the documents, make a list of these file numbers and which office they represent. In this way you will be able to determine which office created and which office received the document you have in your hand. Often there is a block stamp affixed with the name of the office from whose files this copy was retrieved. the "To/From" heading on a document may also give you corresponding file numbers and will help you puzzle out the origin of the document. When you have finally identified each document's file and serial number and separated the documents into their proper office batches, make a list of all the serial numbers in each batch to see if there any any missing numbers. If there are missing serial numbers and some documents have been withheld, try to determine if the missing numbers might reasonably correspond to the withheld documents. If not, the release may be incomplete and an administrative appeal should be made. Step 2: Read all the document released to you. Keep a list of all document referred to the text--letters, memos, teletypes, reports, etc. Each of these "referred to" documents should turn up in the packet released to you. If any are not in the packet, it is possible they may be among those document withheld; a direct inquiry should be made. In an administrative appeal, ask that each of these "referred to" documents be produced or that the agency state plainly that they are among those withheld. Of course, the totals of unproduced vs. withheld must be within reasons; that is, if the total number of unproduced documents you find referred to the text of the documents produced exceeds the total number of documents withheld, the agency cannot claim that all the referred to documents are accounted for by the withheld category. You will soon get the hand of making logical conclusions from discrepancies in the totals and missing document numbers. Another thing to look for when reading the released documents if the names of persons or agencies to whom the document has been disseminated. the lower left-hand corner is a common location for the typed list of agencies or offices to whom the document has been directed. In addition, there may be additional distribution recorded by hand, there or elsewhere on the cover page. There are published glossaries for some agencies that will help in deciphering these notations when they are not clear. Contact FOIA, Inc., if you need assistance in deciphering the text. Finally, any other file numbers that appear on the document should be noted, particularly in the subject of the file is of interest and is one you have not requested. You may want to make an additional request for some of these files. HOW TO MAKE AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL Under the FOIA, a dissatisfied requester has the right of administrative appeal. the name and address of the proper appeal office will be given to you by each agency in its final response letter. This kit contains a sample appeal letter with suggesting for adapting it to various circumstances. However, you need not make such an elaborate appeal; in fact, you need not offer any reasons at all but rather simply write a letter to the appeals unit stating that "this letter constitutes an appeal of the agency's decision." Of course, if you have identified some real discrepancies, you will want to set them for fully, but even if you have not found any, you may simply ask that the release be reviewed. If you are still dissatisfied after the administrative appeal process, the FOIA gives you the right to bring a lawsuit in federal district court on an expedited basis. SAMPLE FBI REQUEST LETTER Date: To: FOIA/PA Unit Federal Bureau of Investigation This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I request a complete and thorough search of all filing systems and locations for all records maintained by your agency pertaining to and/or captioned: ______ _____________________________________________________ [describe records desired and/or insert full and _____________________________________________________ formal name] _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ including, without limitations, files and documents captioned, or whose captions include _____________________________________________________ [insert changes in name, commonly used names, _____________________________________________________ acronyms, sub-groups, and the like] _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ This request specifically includes "main" files and "see references," including, but not limited to numbered and lettered sub files, "DO NOT FILE" files, and control files. I also request a search of the ELSUR Index,a nd the COINTELPRO Index. I request that all records be produced with the administrative pages. I wish to be sent copies of "see reference" cards, abstracts, search slips, including search slips used to process this request, file covers, multiple copies of the same documents if they appear in a file, and tapes of any electronic surveillances. I wish to make it clear that I want all records in you office "identifiable with my request," even though reports on those records have been sent to Headquarters and even though there may be duplication between the two sets of files. [ continued next message ] Paul Ferguson | The future is now. Network Integrator | History will tell the tale; Centreville, Virginia USA | We must endure and struggle fergp(a)sytex.com | to shape it. Stop the Wiretap (Clipper/Capstone) Chip.

1 0

Correction
by fergp＠sytex.com 24 May '93

24 May '93

[HOn Sat, 22 May 1993 14:20:25 -0400 (EDT), Eric S. Raymond <uunet!snark.thyrsus.com!esr> wrote - > To join the cypherpunks mailing list, send a request to: > cypherpunks(a)toad.com Not to be a nit-picker, but shouldn't that be: cypherpunks-request(a)toad.com Subsequent posts to the list should be to: cypherpunks(a)toad.com Cheers. Paul Ferguson | The future is now. Network Integrator | History will tell the tale; Centreville, Virginia USA | We must endure and struggle fergp(a)sytex.com | to shape it. Stop the Wiretap (Clipper/Capstone) Chip.

1 0

matrix - rsa
by Timothy Newsham 24 May '93

24 May '93

Hi , I was reading through some books at the library the other day and came across this, has anyone given any thought to implementing this scheme? Matrix Extensions of the RSA Algorithm Chih-Chwen Chuang and James George Dunham CRYPTO '90 , page 140. They suggest a matrix extension of the RSA algorithm which uses much less computation time. They go on to prove that the security of the system is equivalent to RSA and the hash function used: "Under a chosen plaintext attack on the key, the securityof the new algorithm is equivalent to that of the RSA algorithm. Under a known plaintext attack on themessage, the security of the system rests upon that of the one-way function." Sounds like something worth looking into , as computation times are *much* faster than that of normal RSA.

1 0

espionage
by uni＠acs.bu.edu 24 May '93

24 May '93

I get: Taking other well-known identities: Silence = Ego + Espionage <= MC^2 + Espionage solving for Espionage,o-Light^2 Espionage >= Silence - MC^2of one's ego cannot exceed one's maximum potential energy (which has great explanatory powers re. the which raises some interesting points: [Portions deleted, no value judgement implied] I meant to suggest that the poster who compromised himself should have put his/her ego aside and overcome the urge to brag. hence espionage + ego = death. I like your analysis however.

1 0

Re: The New Mykotronix phones...
by jordan＠imsi.com 24 May '93

24 May '93

From mbriceno(a)aol.com Sat May 22 03:56:25 1993 If everybody would be armend, we would no longer look at the government as the sole provider of protectios from violent crimes, rape, or muggings. I'm sure lots of people could give examples of areas where "everyone" *is* armed, and while they certainly don't rely on "the government" (i.e., local police forces) for protection, most would agree the situation is not desirable ... /jordan

3 2

MacWorld Special Report
by dmandl＠lehman.com 24 May '93

24 May '93

There's a pretty solid Special Report in the new issue of Macworld (July, 1993) on the ever-increasing threats to electronic privacy. Part One is called "Bosses with X-Ray Eyes: Your Employer may be Using Computers to Keep Tabs on You"; Part Two is "Privacy in Peril: How Computers are Making Private Life a Thing of the Past." Highlights: The reporters performed a little test to see how easy it is to get information on people electronically. They managed to get stacks of personal, legal, and financial data on, among others, Janet Reno, Clint Eastwood, Edwin Meese, George Lucas, Joe Montana, William Hearst, and the CEO of Bank of America with very little trouble. A poll on employers' invasions of workers' privacy found that 21.6% of companies search employees' files. There's also a sidebar on the insecurity of email. Favorite quote: "The U.S. is a laughingstock among privacy experts because we protect video- tape-rental records, but not medical records." In the same issue, columnist Stephen Levy is harshly critical of the Digital Telephony Bill. He goes off on a tangent about cryptography, and, while he doesn't mention Clipper, he speculates that if the bill is passed, the banning of strong crypto would very likely be next. He mentions PGP in passing. These pieces are all very strongly pro-privacy. It's nice to see this kind of coverage. I think articles like these are a tremendous help in furthering cypherpunk goals. --Dave.

3 2