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Symantec Restricts Crypto Export

Posted by Zonk on from the bad-old-days dept.

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."

1 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. LC5 - L0phtCrack by spacerog · · Score: 5, Interesting
    It is quite a shame to think of what could have been only to see what has become.

    Yeah, I know, I'm partly at fault. Still, things could have been great.

    But hey, we were all just a bunch of FBI Snitches anyway. Which if true means that there is probably a secret back door in L0phtCrack and still in LC5 that transmits all cracked passwords direct to the FBI so that they can get into any server anywhere. Of course if that is true (and of course it is) DHS and Symantec should actively promote the use and distribution of LC5. All the more passwords they can get. Whatever.

    - Space Rogue
    L0pht Heavy Industries
    Whacked Mac Archives
    Hacker New Network
    Sell Out
    FBI Snitch

    (Pay no attention to this rambling bitter old man.)