December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

Butt-Head
by nobody＠rosebud.ee.uh.edu 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

L.A. Times Jan. 3, 1994 p. D1 THAT'S WHAT HE GETS FOR COMPLAINING SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Computer Inc., after receiving a complaint from famed scientist Carl Sagan, has changed the internal code name for an upcoming model to "Butt-Head Astronomer" from "Carl Sagan," the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Sagan asked the company to stop using his name after an article about the new computer appeared in MacWeek magazine, the newspaper said. The Computer is one of three Apple models that will use the PowerPC microprocessor, which was developed by an alliance of Apple, Motorola Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. For those of tender sensibilities, Butt-Head Astronomer will be known as BHA for short. -Bloomberg Business News

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A Crypto Biblio
by Michael Edward Marotta 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

number 006 CLACKER'S DIGEST December 6, 1992. philosophy and applications for analytical engines ------------------------------------------------------------------ (46 lines) A Cryptography Bibliography by mercury(a)well.sf.ca.us (Technically, cryptography is MAKING codes while cryptanalysis is BREAKING them. Both are subsumed under cryptology. A CIPHER is a regular transposition such as A=Z, B=Y, etc., while a CODE is a table of arbitrary symbols.) Kahn, David, THE CODEBREAKERS, MacMillan, 1967. The MOST complete history with specific examples. Written before public keys, RSA, etc., but still THE place to start. Marotta, Michael, THE CODE BOOK, Loompanics, 1987, Overview of history and post-1967 developments. Sinkov, Abraham, ELEMENTARY CRYPTANALYSIS: A MATHEMATICAL APPROACH, Random House, 1968. Sinkov worked for Friedman on the breaking of Purple. First rate. Gaines, Helen Fouche, CRYPTANALYSIS, Dover, 1956. A classic work. The first step to breaking codes and ciphers. Lysing, Henry, SECRET WRITING, Dover, 1974. Another reprint of another classic. Smith, Laurence Dwight, CRYPTOGRAPHY, Dover, 1955. Ditto. Konheim, Alan G., CRYPTOGRAPHY: A PRIMER, John Wiley, 1981. Textbook for mathematicians from IBM's Watson Center. Includes public keys, digital signatures. Meyer, Carl H., and Matyas Stephen M., CRYPTOGRAPHY, John Wiley, 1982. From IBM Cryptography Competency Center. For computers, includes public keys, digital signatures. Weber, Ralph E., UNITED STATES DIPLOMATIC CODES AND CIPHERS 1775- 1938, Precedent, 1979. Not just a history! The appendix contains the all the keys!! Chadwick, THE DECIPHERMENT OF LINEAR B, Vintage, 1958. Worked with Michael Ventris on unraveling Minoan script. Yardley, Herbert O., THE AMERICAN BLACK CHAMBER, Ballantine 1981, Random House, 1931. Yardley broke German ciphers in WWI and then Japanese ciphers of 1920, and was fired in 1931 because "Gentlemen don't read each other's mail." (anonymous), THE DATA ENCRYPTION STANDARD, National Bureau of Standards, January 1977, NTIS NBS-FIPS PUB 46. (anonymous), DATA SECURITY AND THE DATA ENCRYPTION STANDARD, National Bureau of Standards, 1978, Pub 500-27; CODEN: XNBSAV. Rivest, Ronald L., Shamir, A., and Adleman, L., "A Method for Obtaining Digital Signatures and Public-key Cryptosystems," COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM, February, 1979. The last word. -------------------------- 30 ------------------------------------

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AT&T licenses crypto modules
by paul＠poboy.b17c.ingr.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Below is a press release posted by David Arneke of AT&T to the Telecom Digest. It looks like the licensing chain goes RSA -> ISC -> AT&T -> you, but it's encouraging that these libraries are available: they offer good potential for continuing and even accelerating the spread of strong crypto out beyond the bounds of the online world. -Paul AT&T LICENSES LINKABLE CODE FOR SECURE SOFTWARE GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- AT&T is giving software developers access to linkable code modules for encryption, public key exchange and other communications security functions. AT&T announced today that a comprehensive library of linkable code modules, including RSA security technology and the NIST Digital Signature Algorithm, is available for licensing. Linkable code is available in the form of linkable object module libraries and Windows Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs), which are under license from Information Security Corporation of Deerfield, Illinois. [ .. deletia .. ] "Electronic commerce has an inherent requirement for privacy, data integrity, authentication and non-repudiation," said Larry Salter, director of secure systems and services for AT&T Secure Communications Systems. "These capabilities are ideal for PCMCIA and smart-card applications as well as conventional software for PCs and workstations." The package includes code for DES encryption, the ElGamal public key cryptosystem, the Digital Signature Algorithm, the Secure Hash Standard and most RSA security functions, including RSA encryption, key management and digital signatures; MD5 hashing functions; and the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol. A proprietary encryption algorithm for exportable applications is available as well. More than a dozen military and civilian federal agencies and a growing number of corporations have already licensed the code for new software applications, Salter said. "This is a full range of information security functions, relying on the most widely accepted government and commercial standards," Salter said. Prices for code packages containing DSA technology are $750 for the DOS/Windows version, $1,000 for the Macintosh version and $1250 for the UNIX version. For code packages containing RSA technology are $300 for the DOS/Windows version, $400 for the Macintosh version and $500 for the UNIX version. The license allows developers to load the code into two workstations for software development. Royalty payments are required for distribution of applications to end users. [ .. descriptions of AT&T's shrinkwrapped products deleted .. ] Software developers can get more information on licensing the AT&T linkable code module library by calling the AT&T Secure Communications Customer Service Center, 1 800 203-5563. -- Paul Robichaux, KD4JZG | "Change the world for a better tomorrow. But perobich(a)ingr.com | watch your ass today." - aaron(a)halcyon.com Intergraph Federal Systems | Be a cryptography user- ask me how.

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farewell cypherwonks...
by Jim Demmers 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

I picked up the following tidbit off of the Computists' Communique: The Cypherwonks list for electronic democracy, cryptography, digital cash, etc., "has essentially died at the hand of one of its founders and his numerous detractors." Other members are seeking a moderated forum. [Sam Sternberg (samsam(a)vm1.yorku.ca) NETWORKS and COMMUNITY, 1/3/94. net-hap.] - jim |=======================================================================| | | | Jim Demmers Public Domain, Inc. INET: jdemmers(a)pd.org | | P.O. Box 8899 jim.demmers(a)oit.gatech.edu | | Atlanta, GA 30306-0899 balder(a)gnu.ai.mit.edu | | USA | | Phone: 404-377-2627 FAX: 404-894-9135 | | | |=======================================================================|

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Microsoft-Cryptography-Redmond, WA
by farber＠central.cis.upenn.edu 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

>Posted-Date: Thu, 6 Jan 1994 03:03:07 -0500 >Newsgroups: sci.crypt >Path: >netnews.upenn.edu!newsserver.jvnc.net!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd. >com!uunet!microsoft!wingnut!y-wait >From: y-wait(a)microsoft.com (Usenet Job Response Account) >Subject: Microsoft-Cryptography-Redmond, WA >Organization: Microsoft Corporation >Date: Thu, 6 Jan 1994 01:27:44 GMT >Distribution: na >Lines: 35 >Apparently-To: farber@linc > >MICROSOFT > * * ADVANCED CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY DIVISION * * > >Do you need a research challenge which results >in tangable product? Then the Advanced Consumer >Technology Division at Microsoft is the place >for you! Microsoft is looking to challenge the >brightest mathematical minds with the latest >advances in cryptography. The ideal candidate >will be responsible for the research, analysis, >verification, and recommendation of cryptographic >standards as well as the design of new standards. >Candidate should be familiar with authentication >techniques, blind signatures, digital signature >and time-stamping techniques, public key >encryption systems, hashing methods, and >encryption standards. Familiarity with RSA, DES, >minimum knowledge systems, and Digital Cash/Smart >Card technology a plus. A MS/Phd degree in >Mathematics, with a focus on cryptography desired. > >If you are interested in working in a small team >environment developing first version products, >mail your resume to: > > Microsoft Corporation > Attn: Recruiting > Dept. N5930-0105 > One Microsoft Way > Redmond, WA 98052-6399 > >or FAX your resume to 206-869-0947, Attn: N5930-0105 > >No phone calls please. We are an equal opportunity >employer and support workforce diversity. > >

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Re: cryptopolitics:
by freeman＠MasPar.COM 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Mike Ingle says: > cryptopolitics: Any sufficiently advanced government is indistinguishable > from anarchy. And conversely? -- Jay Freeman

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cypherpolitics
by Perry E. Metzger 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Any sufficiently advanced mailing list is indistinguishable from noise. Perry

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RSA & General Magic
by Harry S. Hawk 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

General Magic in their media kit which was handed out at MacWorld today states; "General Magic picks RSA to provide security for Telescript and Magic Cap. Jan 6th 93 (sic) - GM announced today it has licensed tech. from RSA to provide security services for its Telescript communications engine.... GM used RSA's BSAFE toolkit, with encryption and digital sig. features based on RSA Public Key Cryptosystem and RSA's RC4 symmertic stream cipher. -- Harry S. Hawk habs(a)extropy.org Electronic Communications Officer, Extropy Institute Inc. The Extropians Mailing List, Since 1991 EXTROPY -- A measure of intelligence, information, energy, vitality, experience, diversity, opportunity, and growth. EXTROPIANISM -- The philosophy that seeks to increase extropy.

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info
by freeman＠oxygen.aps1.anl.gov 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Howdy, Any info that you can send regarding premise, scope of project, effects, etc. would be greatly apreciated. I'm really curious as to how this all works. thanks David Freeman freeman(a)anlaps.aps.anl.gov

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U.S. Sprint Using SSN as Passcode?
by cfrye＠ciis.mitre.org 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

While listening to NPR this morning, I heard the director of US Sprint giving a demonstration of his company's new voice-activated long distance calling system. The user dials 1-800-GIVEUS$ and verbally enters his/her passcode. Apparently, the system recognizes and checks the code as well as analyzing the caller's voice pattern, comparing it to a recorded sample to verify the caller's identity. So, what's the catch? As hinted in the title, the passcode is the customer's SSN plus one digit supplied by US Sprint. Now all the bad guys need is a sharp set of ears or a microphone in the phone booth and they have us by the <insert name of whatever organs you hold near and dear to your heart>. I hope this idiotic passcode scheme dies a quick, horrible death. Maybe I misunderstood or the reporter got it wrong (a permutation on the SSN is little better, though), but I don't think so. ObRant about the dangers of giving out one's SSN deleted for brevity. -- Best regards, Curtis D. Frye - Economic Analyst, Software Alchemist, Aspiring Author cfrye(a)ciis.mitre.org "If you think I speak for MITRE, I'll tell you how much they pay me and make you feel foolish."

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