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From: ptb@mitre-bedford.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: US Radio Security Breached, Reagan Warned
Message-ID: <455@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 9-Dec-85 18:57:38 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.455
Posted: Mon Dec  9 18:57:38 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Dec-85 10:09:55 EST
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SUPER-DUPER-FLAME-THROWER on:

This lack of communications security by even the highest people in the
administration is PATHETIC!

If someone with illegal drug traffic is concerned about getting caught
and has effectively (I guess) bugged the government to find out what
is going on, imagine what the Russians will be (or are) doing.

I can understand the need for inter-agency transfer of information,
but come on guys, there's gotta be a better solution.  Perhaps having
common scramblers and having an inter-agency encryption code
coordinated through the National Telecommunications Policy Office or
something.  That way, at least it can be kept out of the public's (and
any enemys') hands.

Sorry, putting that "in the clear" sounds just plain irresponsible in my mind.
Neither will it do to outlaw the scanners, because that will mean that
only the governments that really WANT TO look around will be doing so,
and it will give those who are transmitting all of this information
kind of a false sense of security.  Not only that, but what do you do
with all of the people who already have scanners, tell them that it is
illegal to use them?  How do you enforce it?  Do you resort to
"arbritrary" search and seizure to find homes with scanners installed?

The only real solution is to encrypt anything sensitive.


				73 de Peter
				(ptb@mitre-bedford)

The opinions expressed herein are my own, and not necessarily that of
my employer.  (Hey, getting the opinions of my employer means that the
company has to be hired.... <<=== This might not be a bad idea.)

SUPER-DUPER-FLAME-THROWER OFF