Black box attacks (was Re: Crypto-Dongel)

[Cynthia H. Brown]

On Wed, 9 Apr 1997, Jeremiah A Blatz wrote:

> "Cynthia H. Brown" <cynthb at sonetis.com> writes:
> > If you're trying to destroy a standard IC, why don't you just hook up the
> > power and ground pins to a 120V AC outlet?  No special equipment or
> > substances required, just a couple of wires.  Done it myself, and some
> > chips make a really neat popping sound as the top blows off :-)
> 
> "Excuse me, Mr. Jack-booted Long Arm of The Law, do you mind putting
> your gun away whilst I just plug this evid^H^H^H^HPC Card into the
> wall? Thanks."

If Mr. Jack-Boots And Friends are standing behind you, it's too late
anyways.  You certainly won't have time to dig out the thermite /
magnesium, place it on the appropriate chip, and ignite it.  If you're
going to the trouble of rigging up an emergency destructo-circuit, you
might as well make sure you have something that fries the chip / PCMCIA
card completely. 

Cynthia
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		   Cynthia H. Brown, P.Eng.
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