From: Eileen Dannemann
Date: February 6, 2013 10:33:23 AM PST (CA)
Subject: New technology: FREAKING OUT THE FEDS: SILENT CIRCLE: new encryption app “set to revolutionize privacy” announced (Feb.4, 2013)
A COMMENT FROM OUR NETWORK: And a new comment: had a brief look, this is nothing new. this kind of encryption has been available for decades and silent circle just repackages it also giving them the opportunity to add in backdoors.
in my experience, you will want to only use 100% open-source privacy and encryption tools. all commercial products for which you do not own source-code can be compromised
this is what i recommend and it’s a protocol not a product (understand the difference):
http://wiki.xmpp.org/web/OTR
Off-the-Record Messaging, commonly referred to as OTR, is a cryptographic protocol that provides strong encryption for instant messaging conversations. OTR uses a combination of the AES symmetric-key algorithm, the Diffie–Hellman key exchange, and the SHA-1 hash function. In addition to authentication and encryption, OTR provides perfect forward secrecy and malleable encryption.
the most advanced encrypted network that i have seen is called WASTE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WASTE
there’s a reason you’ve probably never heard of it. i think we need to make it more commonly used
SILENT CIRCLE: new encryption app set to revolutionize privacy and… freak out the Feds
For the past few months, some of the world’s leading cryptographers have been keeping a closely guarded secret about a pioneering new invention. Today, they’ve decided it’s time to tell all.Until now, sending encrypted documents has been frustratingly difficult for anyone who isn’t a sophisticated technology user, requiring knowledge of how to use and install various kinds of specialist software. What Silent Circle has done is to remove these hurdles, essentially democratizing encryption. It’s a game-changer that will almost certainly make life easier and safer for journalists, dissidents, diplomats, and companies trying to evade state surveillance or corporate espionage. Governments pushing for more snooping powers, however, will not be pleased.
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Best regards,
Eileen Dannemann
Director, National Coalition of Organized Women
319 855-0307