Two NSA Algorithms Rejected by the ISO

Posted on By infossl
algorithms, backdoors, cryptanalysis, edwardsnowden, encryption, internetofthings, nsa, Security technology

The ISO has rejected two symmetric encryption algorithms: SIMON and SPECK. These algorithms were both designed by the NSA and made public in 2013. They are optimized for small and low-cost processors like IoT devices. The risk of using NSA-designed ciphers, of course, is that they include NSA-designed backdoors. Personally, I doubt that they’re backdoored. … Read More “Two NSA Algorithms Rejected by the ISO” »

Computer Alarm that Triggers When Lid Is Opened

Posted on By infossl
alarms, apple, computersecurity, Security technology, tamperdetection

“Do Not Disturb” is a Macintosh app that send an alert when the lid is opened. The idea is to detect computer tampering. Wire article: Do Not Disturb goes a step further than just the push notification. Using the Do Not Disturb iOS app, a notified user can send themselves a picture snapped with the … Read More “Computer Alarm that Triggers When Lid Is Opened” »

Russia is Banning Telegram

Posted on By infossl
backdoors, cellphones, encryption, jamming, russia, Security technology, securitypolicies

Russia has banned the secure messaging app Telegram. It’s making an absolute mess of the ban — blocking 16 million IP addresses, many belonging to the Amazon and Google clouds — and it’s not even clear that it’s working. But, more importantly, I’m not convinced Telegram is secure in the first place. Such a weird … Read More “Russia is Banning Telegram” »

Friday Squid Blogging: Squid Prices Rise as Catch Decreases

Posted on By infossl
Security technology, squid

In Japan: Last year’s haul sank 15% to 53,000 tons, according to the JF Zengyoren national federation of fishing cooperatives. The squid catch has fallen by half in just two years. The previous low was plumbed in 2016. Lighter catches have been blamed on changing sea temperatures, which impedes the spawning and growth of the … Read More “Friday Squid Blogging: Squid Prices Rise as Catch Decreases” »

Lifting a Fingerprint from a Photo

Posted on By infossl
cameras, drugtrade, fingerprints, identification, Security technology

Police in the UK were able to read a fingerprint from a photo of a hand: Staff from the unit’s specialist imaging team were able to enhance a picture of a hand holding a number of tablets, which was taken from a mobile phone, before fingerprint experts were able to positively identify that the hand … Read More “Lifting a Fingerprint from a Photo” »

The DMCA and its Chilling Effects on Research

Posted on By infossl
dmca, hacking, reverseengineering, Security technology

The Center for Democracy and Technology has a good summary of the current state of the DMCA’s chilling effects on security research. To underline the nature of chilling effects on hacking and security research, CDT has worked to describe how tinkerers, hackers, and security researchers of all types both contribute to a baseline level of … Read More “The DMCA and its Chilling Effects on Research” »