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GSM Decryption Published
Hugh Pickens writes "The NY Times reports that German encryption expert Karsten Nohl says that he has deciphered and published the 21-year-old GSM algorithm, the secret code used to encrypt most of the world's digital mobile phone calls, in what he called an attempt to expose weaknesses in the security system used by about 3.5 billion of the 4.3 billion wireless connections across the globe. Others have cracked the A5/1 encryption technology used in GSM before, but their results have remained secret. 'This shows that existing GSM security is inadequate,' Nohl told about 600 people attending the Chaos Communication Congress. 'We are trying to push operators to adopt better security measures for mobile phone calls.' The GSM Association, the industry group based in London that devised the algorithm and represents wireless operators, called Mr. Nohl's efforts illegal and said they overstated the security threat to wireless calls. 'This is theoretically possible but practically unlikely,' says Claire Cranton, a GSM spokeswoman, noting that no one else had broken the code since its adoption. 'What he is doing would be illegal in Britain and the United States. To do this while supposedly being concerned about privacy is beyond me.' Simon Bransfield-Garth, the chief executive of Cellcrypt, says Nohl's efforts could put sophisticated mobile interception technology — limited to governments and intelligence agencies — within the reach of any reasonable well-funded criminal organization. 'This will reduce the time to break a GSM call from weeks to hours,' Bransfield-Garth says. 'We expect as this further develops it will be reduced to minutes.'"
Yeah, it's off-topic. But there's no way Slashdot will ever run THIS story
Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by U.S.
Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi.
Both Saudi nationals have since emerged in leadership roles in Yemen, according to U.S. officials and the men's own statements on al Qaeda propaganda tapes.
Both of the former Guantanamo detainees are described as military commanders and appear on a January, 2009 video along with the man described as the top leader of al Qaeda in Yemen, Abu Basir Naser al-Wahishi, formerly Osama bin Laden's personal secretary.
Nothing is stopping you from submitting the story. Something to think about - what category would it fall under?
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Best "String" Ever!
Now come on, you didn't even provide a link. Many stories are rejected from Slashdot, especially mine which shouldn't be. It's all about finding the appropriate forum. This one is "News for Nerds, stuff that matters." I just don't understand why all my stories keep getting rejected...! Anyway, posting with my name because I also don't believe in the karma system so much (but still a little) and next time, PROVIDE a link!
Shh.
on Nov. 9, 2007
Just think, if Bush had bothered to hold trials for the fuckers they'd have been swinging from the gallows off Havana. Instead, he set free a bunch of bombers to "show them democrats" that their touchy-feely "rule of law" shit was a pile of crap and the constitution is a goddamn piece of paper.
First problem:
Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot...
Did you catch the key word?
Second problem:
Let's continue to hear the truth today instead of falling pray to the media whore known as Slashdot.
Yep -- you're a moron. Slashdot is a "Media Whore", yet you linked to ABC News? Just what media is Slashdot a whore to?
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
Fuck a nigger.