[FedCom] Encryption ???

[Chris Parris]

Richard Reynolds wrote:

> so my question is how easy are these encrypted radios to decode. it seems to
> me that it wouldnt be that hard to decode them once you decyphered there key
> you could continue to decode until a new key was in place do they really
> change all that often, i would think you could get the key in a week or less
> using a variety of methods.

I'm no expert, but if it was easy, we'd all be doing it now...

Besides obtaining the appropriate decoder for the encryption you are
trying to
break (DVP, DES, Fascinator, SENECA, etc.), trying to find the key by
brute
force computing would take a while, even with enough computing power.
And yes,
they do change keys often. Several agencies are able to re-key the
radios over
the air (OTAR), and others do it regularly enough that it would be tough
to keep
your key current. I know that at one time, Customs was using several
different
keys for different operations, depending on who was using the radios.


> also what is
> the legal impact of decoding these transmitions. is there a law that clearly
> states that you cant? or how about can?

The law now clearly states that decoding encrypted transmissions is
illegal.
Prior to the ECPA, I don't think it was explicitly stated, but it is
now...

 --

Chris Parris
Beaverton, OR
cparris2@compuserve.com