Re: Secure passwords?

"nemo_outis" <abc@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Xns97286406A4BCFabcxyzcom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> "Hairy One Kenobi" <abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in
> news:Qxxmf.480$q4.124@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:
>
> > The real reason is even more simple - faster boxes tend to radiate
> > more and, since most of that is the computer equivilent of
> > "tum-te-tum, hurry up and type something", the interferance will help
> > to conceal unshielded keyboard and screen signals (which is all one is
> > interested in).
>
> The putative effects of interference are frequently overestimated. It is
> electronic child's play to filter interference and even, given the
> enormous redundancy in many signals, to extract information many decibels
> *below* the noise floor.

"Child's play"? Gotta have a cite for that one.. admittedly, I'm assuming
that the box is somewhere close to the CRT and keyboard..

> >> Some interesting speculations (and with Tempest we are all
> >> speculating to some degree).
> >
> > Not necessarily (although I certainly don't claim to be an expert!).
> > Even the most unobservant person will be able to compare and contrast
> > a bit of Tempested kit that they are using day-in, day-out with the
> > equivilent standard kit. Last I looked, the UK classification for
> > Tempest was the same level as the canteen menu at the local Job
> > Centre.
>
> I disagree. Few have access to Tempest kit to make observations, other
> than illustrations in manufacturers' brochures (which disclose little
> other than the obvious). A few may work with such devices but almost
> always in an environment where physical security confines their
> interactions solely to use, not investigation. Virtually no one except
> those related to the manufacturer or maintenance crews has a chance to
> get "under the hood." Not for nothing are even the standards themselves
> classified.

Few != None

Some of us may well have used such equipment for years (hint, hint)

See above for the trivial classification level, at least here in the UK.

Saying that, it's perfectly possible that thr /are/ higher-classification
documents floating around - after all, a UK Defence Screen sequence
(classified as Confidential) was shown on the BBC's Horizon programme in
full. Similarly, some sonar kit fitted to Trafalgar class subs was
classified as Secret - in regards to where on the boat it was placed, and
its specification - but was clearly listed in both Jane's and other
publications.

Wouldn't surprise me overmuch if the exact performance characteristics were
stil classified - basically for what they tell you about the sensors being
employed. Simply estimating the weight of Tempested kit should tell you how
much steel has been involved in the shielding, let alone simply buying
something and taking it apart!

H1K


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