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Symantec Restricts Crypto Export

PhilK writes "Symantec is now refusing to sell LC5 (the Windows password cracking tool, previously from @stake) to anyone outside of the USA and Canada, claiming new Homeland Security laws. Symantec declined to field questions on the rationale for its policy and whether it applies to other products." From the article: "Symantec's restrictions recall the dark days of the crypto wars when users outside the US were not entitled to buy products featuring strong ciphers. These rules, relaxed by the Clinton administration and following a long running campaign by cryptography experts and net activists, are once again rearing their head. Symantec's response to our reader (below) suggests the policy was imposed on it by the US government."

6 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Now... by wishbone · · Score: 5, Funny

    All your Cyphers are belong to U.S.

  2. Good News/Bad News by sunderland56 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bad news: I can't buy a copy of LC5.

    Good news: According to another Slashdot story, I can download one for free from a French web site!!

  3. Re:Time to sing... by meringuoid · · Score: 2, Funny
    My thoughts will not cater to duke or dictator no man can deny-- Die Gedanken sind frei! Are you listening, Dubya?

    Your song sounds subversive. Your name has been added to the aviation watch list. Have a nice day, citizen.

    --
    Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
  4. laughable by eyrieowl · · Score: 2, Funny

    hey, the government is just worried that scary e-terrorists that don't know how to download the software for free will break into the dept. of homeland security and compromise the sensitive windows 95 network they've got running.... i, for one, feel safer already.

  5. Dark days indeed. by merc · · Score: 4, Funny

    What sad times are these when passing ruffians can say 'Ni' at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land. Nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design cryptographic software are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.

    --
    It's true no man is an island, but if you take a bunch of dead guys and tie 'em together, they make a good raft.
  6. four words by martin · · Score: 2, Funny

    stable, horse, bolted and door

    Q. make a familiar phrase out of the above
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    .
    .
    .
    .
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    .
    .
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    .
    .
    .
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    A. Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted