Government corrupted RSA

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by Denny Crane, Dec 21, 2013.

  1. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/20/us-usa-security-rsa-idUSBRE9BJ1C220131220

    (Reuters) - As a key part of a campaign to embed encryption software that it could crack into widely used computer products, the U.S. National Security Agency arranged a secret $10 million contract with RSA, one of the most influential firms in the computer security industry, Reuters has learned.

    Documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden show that the NSA created and promulgated a flawed formula for generating random numbers to create a "back door" in encryption products, the New York Times reported in September. Reuters later reported that RSA became the most important distributor of that formula by rolling it into a software tool called Bsafe that is used to enhance security in personal computers and many other products.

    Undisclosed until now was that RSA received $10 million in a deal that set the NSA formula as the preferred, or default, method for number generation in the BSafe software, according to two sources familiar with the contract. Although that sum might seem paltry, it represented more than a third of the revenue that the relevant division at RSA had taken in during the entire previous year, securities filings show.

    The earlier disclosures of RSA's entanglement with the NSA already had shocked some in the close-knit world of computer security experts. The company had a long history of championing privacy and security, and it played a leading role in blocking a 1990s effort by the NSA to require a special chip to enable spying on a wide range of computer and communications products.
     
  2. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    There's more at the link. Lots of details.

    The last paragraph is my reaction.

    What does this mean?

    You can't trust anyone with security anymore. It seems everyone has a price, and RSA's was a measly $10M.

    This is a security breach of the first order. There is no internet server the govt. can't simply log into and view the files. Yes, RSA back door means the can log into systems. Not only that, but if you encrypt your hard disk, which all operating systems seem to have as an option, they can decrypt your files and read them.

    Ike once said to beware the military/industrial complex. This is worse than companies getting favored deals from government, it is government corrupting companies for nefarious purposes.

    A government only barfo could love.
     
  3. DaLincolnJones

    DaLincolnJones Well-Known Member

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    to think, Nixon was impeached for the break in at The Watergate hotel in order to record private meetings at the Democratic National Convention...now its fine and dandy to be able to bug every computer? wow
     
  4. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    This stuff goes back to the Clinton era. TIA and custom chips to be put in everyone's computer.

    W didn't end it.

    O turned the volume up to 11.
     
  5. MARIS61

    MARIS61 Real American

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    Obviously, the NSA through RSA has committed criminal fraud upon not only every consumer of computer products but also upon most legitimate computer security software companies. In monetary damages it is easily the largest fraud ever known to be committed in America.

    I look forward to the mass prosecutions and prison sentences for all involved and the immediate and total dissolution of the rogue NSA. :dunno:
     
  6. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    It's not that I love it. But I'm not surprised by this. At all.

    barfo
     
  7. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    You continuously defend it. They "grant us our rights" kind of statements. So they grant us the right of privacy except there is no privacy?

    The courts are finally weighing in, barfo, and they're not saying things like "this NSA stuff makes my sphincter twitch uneasily, so I'm going to rule against it." More like, "the 4th amendment grants us privacy and the government is violating it with this program."

    "Living document," my ass.
     
  8. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    This has to go back before Clinton. That means it's Carter's fault.
     
  9. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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  10. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Now that I think of it, Carter probably inherited it from...Johnson, of course.
     
  11. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Don't think I've ever made any such statement?

    I'll take your word for it that your ass is alive ...with the sound of music.

    barfo
     
  12. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Gee, we just had this discussion the other day. You started by saying 2nd amendment is a religious thing, remember? And I wrote that the whole constitution should be the "religious" thing. And then you started talking loony stuff like "living document" and "government grants us rights."
     
  13. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I remember that.

    That sounds like you, all right.

    Don't think so. More like you started raving about that stuff. I don't believe I've ever typed the words 'living document', except just now.

    barfo
     
  14. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    OK, barfo.

    But you won't be hiding under your bed in fear of the government accessing everyone's computers.
     
  15. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    That is true. I haven't even taped over the camera on my laptop. They could be watching me right now!

    barfo
     
  16. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    The question is whether it's right that they "could be watching" you anytime they want without warrant?
     
  17. BlazerWookee

    BlazerWookee UNTILT THE DAMN PINWHEEL!

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    "Computer Security," lol...
     
  18. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Is that a question? Of course it's not right.

    barfo
     
  19. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

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    I think the real shame is turning this into a liberal vs. conservative thing. For all intents and purposes, it seems we have a shadow government and it's no longer tin-foil hat territory. Go ahead and blame Clinton, Reagan, Nixon, Johnson, Carter, Obama, Ford and anybody else you can think of; you're missing the point.
     
    GrandpaBlaze likes this.
  20. bluefrog

    bluefrog Go Blazers, GO!

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    You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Nikolokolus again.
     

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