[Cryptography] What is a secure conversation? (Was: online forums...)

Jon Callas jon at callas.org
Sat Dec 28 11:37:41 EST 2013


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On Dec 27, 2013, at 10:54 AM, ianG <iang at iang.org> wrote:

> Hmmm... I have to think about this some more.  If you don't see this message, stick your hand up.

Me, I didn't see it.

I should confess that I have moderator privs for the list, too, but barely have enough time to read it. I've also been a more sucky moderator, letting in things that are Perry's peeves and not mine more. 

In the general problem, I think Ben Franklin's old maxim that three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead is apt. In general, you can't have a secure system that meets the properties of a mailing list or forum.

It's kinda like saying that you want a conversation that is secure only to the people within earshot, and as people go in and out of earshot, the security allows or denies them. You have to ask how "secure" is different from "within earshot."

	Jon


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