Timothy C. May writes:
Hey, I've just been told in e-mail that my $200,000 figure for the Clipper keys (a tape or compilation of the ones that are held in escrow) is way too low, probably by two orders of magnitude.
Maybe so, as having these keys could mean a lot.
Indeed. If/when this technology becomes widespread, to the right/wrong people this data will become an exceedingly valuable target for theft or destruction. We're talking outlandish James Bond plots here; it becomes realistically worthwhile. If you're an organization with no special love for the US Government and plenty of resources at your disposal, would you choose to go through the pain and labor of trying to break the cryptosystem when you know the keys are all sitting around in a couple of filing cabinets? -- | GOOD TIME FOR MOVIE - GOING ||| Mike McNally <m5@tivoli.com> | | TAKE TWA TO CAIRO. ||| Tivoli Systems, Austin, TX: | | (actual fortune cookie) ||| "Like A Little Bit of Semi-Heaven" |