[Cryptography] cryptography Digest, Vol 36, Issue 29

[Grant Schultz]

Subject: [Cryptography] More speculation on cryptographic breakthroughs.
ON 4/30, Ray Dillinger <bear at sonic.net> wrote

 >The "major crypto breakthrough" that we keep hearing about, may
 >be just a giant database of audio recordings of people typing
 >passwords.

Few question for thought:

- With most cell phones in pockets, is the audio quality good enough for 
this kind of attack?

- Would an effective countermeasure be to enter passwords via less 
audible means, such as touchscreens or mice, and picking out buttons on 
the screen?

- What if we simply press the keys more slowly to where they don't reach 
their maximum stroke and cause much audible output?

- I've wondered about the following:  If the NSA/FBI/etc. capabilities 
are as far-reaching as we fear, wouldn't they (FBI in particular) have 
the ability to conquer organized crime by now? Wouldn't they pwn any 
computer being used inside organized crime in other words?  (Of course 
if we're really paranoid, we could speculate that they are not putting 
organized crime out of business because it would tip their hand as to 
their capabilities...)

Grant Schultz