Slashdot Mirror


How Long to Crack an 'Encrypted' HD?

brainburger asks: "In the UK, Tony Blair has recently lost a parliametary vote to allow the police to hold terrorist suspects for 90 days without trial. One of the justifications the police gave for the extension from 14 days to 90 days was that they need the extra 76 days to decrypt the computer hard-drives of suspects. This has been seen by some as the only compelling reason to allow 90 days. The time-limit has been extended to 28 days instead, but Tony Blair insists 90 days is required. Are there really any encryption systems that cannot be cracked in 28 days, but which can be cracked in 90? Aside from the not-much-discussed issue that the police can no longer interrogate a suspect after they are charged, I suspect the police meant unencrypted machines. What do you think?"

6 of 733 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Dupe by bennini · · Score: 3, Informative

    this is no dupe?!?!!? what are u talking about. the last article stated that blair wanted 90 days.
    this article states that he didnt get what he wanted.

    quite different if u ask me...and somewhat interesting

  2. Re:I'm amazed at how the UK is handling this by defile · · Score: 5, Informative

    Such detention is not allowed in the US.

    In case you're not being sarcastic, you might be shocked to read about Jose Padilla.

  3. Re:They're welcome to try it by meowsqueak · · Score: 4, Informative

    Beware if you come to New Zealand and are arrested over your HDD. The defense of Not Incriminating Yourself no longer applies to electronic encryption and passwords and you will be charged with something like obstructing justice or worse. My understanding is you could end up in prison for twelve months simply by refusing to decrypt your data.

  4. This sounds like a bogus excuse by Kaemaril · · Score: 5, Informative

    Hold on. Anyone remember the Regulation of Investigatory Powers 2000 Act? Isn't it an offence - punishable by a prison sentence - to not hand over encryption keys? If they need to crack it, they can just tell the suspect to hand over his key(s). If he/she doesn't, he goes down for more than 90 days anyway ...

  5. Re:Before you answer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    They don't need to do that. Over here, refusing to reveal an encryption key when required by the Police is an offence in itself.

    RIP Act 2000

  6. Re:Before you answer by slavemowgli · · Score: 4, Informative

    No. It should happen like this: you're arrested because you match the description of a burglar or other criminal they're looking for (although whether merely wearing a suit of the same colour should be counted as "matching the description" is debatable, too); you're brought before a judge within 24 hours, who will issue a formal arrest warrant, and you will be given time to consult with your lawyer. Your background will be checked, and *if* there is no easy reason why you must be innocent (such as having attended a conference in another town at the time the crime in question happened!), *then* a search warrant for your home can be issued by a *judge*.

    --
    quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.