bill@flash.UUCP (William Swan) (08/29/89)
In article <721@umigw.MIAMI.EDU> wb8foz@Mthvax.Miami.Edu (David Lesher) writes: }The only means to conduct a secure conversation is on a secure }(encrypted) telephone. The STU-III is the current standard }for federal agencies and their cleared contractors. Millions }of your tax dollars went into this {gem, dog}. What is the STU-III encryption scheme? Why is it a {gem, dog}? -- Bill Swan entropy.ms.washington.edu!sigma!bill Send postal address for info: Innocent but in prison in Washington State for 13.5 years: Ms. Debbie Runyan: incarcerated 01/1989, scheduled release 07/2002. In now: 0 years, 7 months, 1 week, 1 day.
dl@ibiza.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher) (08/30/89)
> Article <33@flash.UUCP> From: bill@flash.UUCP (William Swan)
#
# What is the STU-III encryption scheme?
#
# Why is it a {gem, dog}?
Keeping this to my opinions and what has already
been in the Wash. Post:
I have no idea what the scheme is. It involves digitizing the
audio, according to some key that changes automatically. You
get a 'key' to start it. It is really a rom. First you call
in somebody who activates the phone via a master 'key'. Then
when you call J. Blow, the LCD identifies {s/h/it} and the
lower of both of your key clearance levels. Then they squawk
some more, and they agree on a code-of-the-minute.
(About once a month, it forgets, and the guy with the
master key comes back again and casts a new spell on it.)
Then you talk. Sometimes you can even understand the other
party.
If not, you hang up and write a cable instead. It must
BE IN UPPER CASE ONLY BECAUSE THE USG CABLE SYSTEM STILL HAS
(i kid you not) SOME BAUDOT TERMINALS. DONT USE ANY SPECIAL
CHARACTERS SUCH AS !@#$%^&*() OR YOU WILL GET IT BACK, UNSENT.
The STU III replaces the KY-71, aka STU II (don't even think
about its predecesser, the '5') which was 4 wire or
alternately, half-duplex. It dialed two pstn truncks at once!
I liked them-you could even UNDERSTAND people;-}
The real driving force of the STU III program was to put those
contractor conversations that are presently 'in the clear'
under SOME form of encryption. I guess, later on, after the
costs went thru the Van Allen belt, that those folks we can't
talk about decided they were a good idea for the -71 folks,
too. That way, RCA, ATT, and Galvin Manufacturing could sell
more of them.
Enough of this. Everything I say is a lie, anyhow, to confuse
you, and the {other} Bad Guys.
Flash! Murphy gets look and feel copyright on sendmail.cf
{gatech!} wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (305) 255-RTFM