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Numbers Stations Move From Shortwave To VoIP

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the something-to-puzzle-over dept.

IO ERROR writes "For decades, intelligence agencies have been sending secret messages to their agents in the field using shortwave numbers stations broadcasting encrypted messages for all to hear and puzzle over. Now someone is putting numbers stations on VoIP telephone numbers for anyone to call, and posting messages to Craigslist to alert the recipients to the existence of their messages. One of them went up last month and now a second one has appeared. Will there be a third? Who's behind them? And can you crack the code?"

12 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. I deciphered it! by ScaryMonkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Always... drink... your... Ovaltine?

  2. Re:Numbers Station here on slashdot - OUTGOING! by dgatwood · · Score: 5, Funny
    My guess as to what the messages say?

    Dearest Love,

    Meet me behind the abandoned warehouse. Don't wear underwear.
    Just a hunch.

    --

    Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  3. Re:it's a joke by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Haven't you heard? No one wants to be a computer scientist these days to figure out hard-to-crack computer codes. The CIA is hiring high school students with Microsoft certifications to create their secret codes. The fact that they got VOIP to work was a miracle in itself.

  4. The Numbers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    4 8 15 16 23 42

    1. Re:The Numbers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Execute.

  5. Waste of time by caller9 · · Score: 3, Funny

    So some ham radio freaks or cryptologists are playing tricks. Who gives half a crap?

    Want something really secure? Use one of those messages that self destruct like inspector gadget. As a bonus, it could really jack somebody up if thrown into their face. Also, they can be easily delivered by any method of transportation no matter how impossible, as evidenced by numerous Inspector Gadget episodes, where "the chief" maneuvers into some unthinkable situation only to have the tossed, usually over the shoulder, crumpled message end up giving him severe burns to his face and uppper body upon detination. Even when you go phew! because it totally missed you, guess what, you were wrong and you blow up anyway. Try and get with that hype shit NSA!

  6. I think this is obvious. by ScentCone · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's the promo for Dan Brown's new book. All of the fashionable Masons are using VoIP for their rituals and world control these days.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    1. Re:I think this is obvious. by griffjon · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's true! The V is the Masonic Square, with the I and P forming the compass. The "o" is meant to stand in for the "G" in the center. It's OBVIOUS PEOPLE.

      (the preceeding may have been sarcasm)

      --
      Returned Peace Corps IT Volunteer
  7. Re:Eh, ok by Photon+Ghoul · · Score: 2, Funny

    Then when the Suede Denim Secret Police come knocking they sure won't be knocking on my door.

    But they will be coming for your uncool niece.

  8. Re:Numbers Station here on slashdot - OUTGOING! by qray · · Score: 2, Funny

    Looks like one of those number sequences Compute magazine would publish for Commodore 64 programs and such. I remember typing in all those data statements and then having to double check all the numbers when something didn't work. Maybe those programs in Compute weren't really programs at all but contained secret communications that just happen to double as programs.

    --
    Q

  9. Re:Numbers Station here on slashdot - OUTGOING! by Gogo0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    They must be dupes!

  10. Re:Numbers Station here on slashdot - OUTGOING! by secolactico · · Score: 2, Funny

    Have you noticed that every group is sent twice?

    Maybe they forgot to turn off the "local echo".

    --
    No sig