Security experts: NIST encryption standard may have NSA backdoor   [Security]

Cryptography expert Bruce Schneier is warning software developers that a random-number algorithm documented in a NIST encryption standard may be susceptible to a backdoor planted by the NSA.

Ozon   Sun, Nov, 2007

736 Diggs, 75 Comments

Portrait of the Modern Terrorist as an Idiot   [Security]

Terrorism is a real threat, and one that needs to be addressed by appropriate means. But allowing ourselves to be terrorized by wannabe terrorists and unrealistic plots -- and worse, allowing our essential freedoms to be lost by using them as an excuse -- is wrong. Commentary by Bruce Schneier.

MrBabyMan   Thu, Jun, 2007

1091 Diggs, 98 Comments

The Human Brain is a Poor Judge of Risk   [General Sciences]

When an animal -- lizard, bird, mammal, even you -- senses something that's a potential danger, the amygdala is what reacts immediately, triggering the fight-or-flight response. This kind of thing works great if you're a lizard or a lion. We humans have a completely different pathway to cope with analyzing risk. Commentary by Bruce Schneier.

MrBabyMan   Thu, Mar, 2007

632 Diggs, 52 Comments

Why Smart Cops Do Dumb Things   [Security]

Much of our country's counterterrorism security spending is not designed to protect us from the terrorists, but instead to protect our public officials from criticism when another attack occurs. Commentary by Bruce Schneier.

MrBabyMan   Thu, Feb, 2007

981 Diggs, 59 Comments

Worried about the airline losing your luggage? No problem. Just pack a gun.   [Security]

The airline wouldn't want to be responsible for losing a gun, right? That's one photographer's solution to making sure his expensive camera equipment is watched carefully by the airline when he has to check it as luggage. He packs a starter pistol in his camera bag and declares it as a firearm.

ironicsans   Sun, Sep, 2006

3688 Diggs, 115 Comments