Not hopeless yet

[lucid]

So we've all been talking a lot about recent developments regarding to the NSA cracking SSL and 4G and whatever else(can't remember). So I found this:

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/519171/nsa-leak-leaves-crypto-math-intact-but-highlights-known-workarounds/

I guess this isn't actually all that surprising, but it seems as though all that needs to be done is to strengthen the encryption. Evidentally 1024 bit RSA is child's play.

[vezzy]

Not really news. The NSA's supposed phenomenal cryptanalytic capabilities were mostly exaggeration as Schneier pointed out, but they did strengthen some known exploits, especially around the already exhausted RC4.

The NSA don't really need to actively break crypto anymore, or even collect that many information. They just sabotage existing standards, extort companies to surrender keys and send info and other black bag acts.

[lucid]

They just sabotage existing standards, extort companies to surrender keys and send info and other black bag acts.

Or as the internet would say; "Cooperated with other companies" in order to have them use encryption standards with built in backdoors.

[proxx]

Or as the internet would say; "Cooperated with other companies" in order to have them use encryption standards with built in backdoors.

Or as I would say ; fucked in the ass with a tie tickeling your back.

[rasenove]

Just what do they do with all these personal information? (Other than trying to trace wanted criminals)

They might be trying to collect secret info from other countries for the US gov. Or not, any other guess?

[vezzy]

They might be trying to collect secret info from other countries for the US gov. Or not, any other guess?

No shit.

The whole point of intelligence is information gathering. Espionage is a means. Not just on your own people, but on foreign nations as well, be they allies or adversaries. Technically there's pacts between certain nations not to collect information about each other, but no one actually follows them.

Most recent that was in the headlines was NSA spying on the G20 summit and the GCHQ (and vice versa - GCHQ on NSA).

[Kulverstukas]

With all this info gathering nonsense discussion going on, I'd suggest to watch this vsauce video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPBJgpK0Ulc
(might not be completely on topic, but meh)