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Schneier on National ID Cards, Key Escrow Locks, E-voting

Posted by michael on from the uncommon-sense dept.

Schneier's Cryptogram newsletter this month touches on a lot of subjects near and dear to our hearts: national ID cards, TSA-approved luggage locks, a cost-benefit analysis of stealing an election via hacking evoting machines, a nifty credit with audible security, etc.

5 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hard to verify out-of-state ID cards... by cuiousyellow · · Score: 5, Informative
    Schneier said it better than I could so I'll just quote the article you failed to read...
    The first problem is the card itself. No matter how unforgeable we make it, it will be forged. And even worse, people will get legitimate cards in fraudulent names.

    Two of the 9/11 terrorists had valid Virginia driver's licenses in fake names. And even if we could guarantee that everyone who issued national ID cards couldn't be bribed, initial cardholder identity would be determined by other identity documents... all of which would be easier to forge.
  2. TSA-accessable lock has an indicator by Animats · · Score: 4, Informative
    There's an indicator on the TSA-openable lock that turns red when it's opened with the master key. So you have some idea of what's going on. The next step should be to put a clock in the thing, so you know when it was opened. That helps place blame.

    You ought to be able to call your luggage on your cell phone and get its location. Wherify has announced a product for this, but isn't yet shipping.

  3. Hong Kong = "National" ID Card by Dr.Hair · · Score: 5, Informative
    Hong Kong actually has a "national" ID card. Since so few people here drive, you can't use a driver's license as a form of identification. The new smart ID cards have a chip in them that stores the digitised thumbprint and signature among other information. They also function as a national library card and you can apply for a free e-cert (PKI) administered by Hong Kong Post

    Yes, the police are allowed to randomly ask you for your ID card. Most of the checks seem to be for immigration violations by mainlanders. On the other hand the HK government is putting in place fast immigration checkpoints, where you run your ID card through a scanner and provide your thumbprint and you're on your way without ever being questioned by immigration officials.

  4. Re:We already have a National ID. by ToasterTester · · Score: 4, Informative

    By law social security cards are NOT suppose to be used as an ID number. But its one of those laws the government looks the other way on. Many states use it for drivers license number, many schools use it for a student ID, and so on.

  5. Re:Yes, and the devices collect the data by NortWind · · Score: 4, Informative
    Well your info on the license is a matter of public record. And if the bartender feels like telling someone it's his right.
    It's also your right to check whether or not your driver's license will stick to a really, really strong magnet.