What about cellular phones, especially GSM? As I have heard GSM is supposed to be secure, at least thats what the salespersons tell every time they are selling a GSM.
I know ciphering algorithms A3, A8 and A5 are used in GSM phones, but I know nothing more about them.
I got the following from mjos@math.jyu.fi a couple of months ago. Unfortunately I was unable to attend or listen on mbone. Does anyone know more about this?
University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory
SEMINAR SERIES
10th October Bill Chambers, King's College, London PROBLEMS OF STREAM CIPHER GENERATORS WITH MUTUAL CLOCK CONTROL
..
GSM:n salausalgoritmi on juuri tuota tyyppiä. Chambers yritti pitää tuota nimenomaista esitelmää jo yli vuosi sitten, mutta silloin viralliset tahot puuttuivat asiaan ja esitys peruttiin. Hän on löytänyt algoritmista aukkoja, joiden avulla purkuaika saadaan erittäin lyhyeksi.
ps. ne meistä, jotka pääsevät mboneen käsiksi, voivat seurata tapahtumia livenä :)
[Free translation: The GSM encryption algorithm is of exactly that type. Chambers tried to have this particular presentation over an year ago, but at that time the official side interfered and the presentation was cancelled. He has found holes in the algorithm that can be used to make decryption (without key) very quick. PS. Those of us who can get access to mbone, can follow it live.] Tatu