July 30th, 2024

PGP: The software that changed Internet Privacy and Cryptography

The video discusses the historical significance of cryptography, highlighting the Allies' decryption of the Enigma Code in WWII and the development of PGP encryption, emphasizing its impact on secure communication.

Read original articleLink Icon
PGP: The software that changed Internet Privacy and Cryptography

The video highlights the historical significance of cryptography through two major events. First, it discusses World War II, where the Allies' successful decryption of the Enigma Code was pivotal in saving lives and changing the war's outcome. Second, it covers the development of PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption by Phil Zimmermann, which challenged government regulations on encryption and transformed secure communication. The video underscores the complexity of cryptography and the essential role of information security professionals. It also notes the collaborative effort in creating PGP in 1991, which introduced a Web of Trust among users. Overall, the content illustrates the evolution of cryptography and its profound impact on security and communication.

Link Icon 4 comments
By @Thoreandan - 9 months
Nice vid. If you didn't know the early history of PGP, the OG user's guide served as a great introductory read to the core concepts of encryption / PKI.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy#Early_hist...

https://ia601407.us.archive.org/9/items/pgpguide.-lst/PGPGUI... (35pp, .txt) https://web.archive.org/web/20201205180542/https://www.tech-... (same, .pdf)

By @sliken - 8 months
From the best of my memory:

I was at codecon, many years ago, in SF, at JWZ's bar. I forget if Philip Zimmermann was there, or if his story was told by someone else. Basically plenty of hassle from the USA government about exporting a munitions (strong encryption source code). Court case (if not several), hassle at the border, tax audit, delays flying, etc. etc. etc.

Someone else stepped up, mentioned their similar story, and having talked to their lawyer about the statue of limitations. They released the proprietary RSA M4 encryption source code. A bit of cloak and dagger. A anonymous physical letter to some 3rd party, saying "I think you have the capabilities, I'd like you to post this source code, if you accept post to sci.crypt looking for Joe Random". The code was released anonymously, with no repercussions.

Food for thought.

By @berratype - 9 months
I did not expect THAT video intro.