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'Let's Encrypt' Project Strives To Make Encryption Simple

Posted by Soulskill on from the reaching-for-peak-encryption dept.

jones_supa writes: As part of an effort to make encryption a standard component of every application, the Linux Foundation has launched the Let's Encrypt project (announcement) and stated its intention to provide access to a free certificate management service. Jim Zemlin, executive director for the Linux Foundation, says the goal for the project is nothing less than universal adoption of encryption to disrupt a multi-billion dollar hacker economy. While there may never be such a thing as perfect security, Zemlin says it's just too easy to steal data that is not encrypted. In its current form, encryption is difficult to implement and a lot of cost and overhead is associated with managing encryption keys. Zemlin claims the Let's Encrypt project will reduce the effort it takes to encrypt data in an application down to two simple commands. The project is being hosted by the Linux Foundation, but the actual project is being managed by the Internet Security Research Group. This work is sponsored by Akamai, Cisco, EFF, Mozilla, IdenTrust, and Automattic, which all are Linux Foundation patrons. Visit Let's Encrypt official website to get involved.

4 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Warning!!! by bazmail · · Score: 5, Funny

    Having conversations that your government can't eavesdrop on is tantamount to terrorism.

    You have been warned.

    1. Re: Warning!!! by pla · · Score: 5, Insightful

      we live in the Surveillance Age now and will probably be for the rest of our lives.

      Probably true - But I'll still use encryption for my private files and communications. I'll still refrain from screaming what I had for breakfast into the ether. I'll still make up random information when registering for any service that doesn't need real info to perform its core function. I'll still "fuzz" personal details when relevant to discussions on sites such as Slashdot. I'll still bait telemarketers even though they probably know more about me than I do. And, I'll still make Officer Twitchy get a warrant to search my phone, even if it means I get shot in the back trying to peacefully walk away.

      Accepting the reality of something doesn't mean you should just give up - We all unavoidably die, why don't we all just commit suicide now and save ourselves the hassle of wasting all that time working and sleeping and exercising-so-we-can-live-longer and such? Sometimes, "accepting" something means "fight harder anyway".

    2. Re:Warning!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes but if everybody has access to simple to use encryption that stigma goes away, when encrypted traffic is the norm rather than the exception then Its use is not a red flag. Mass adoption is in itself protection.

  2. Re:Encryption done right isn't simple... by bazmail · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Making it simple will go a long way to avoiding PEBCAK problems. Simpler processes give less opportunity for human error.