Fred, was this you??..............
(And they think that Divx will be safe.)
British Gov't Spy Computer System Snatched From Whitehall
****British Gov't Spy Computer System Snatched From Whitehall 01/16/98 LONDON,
ENGLAND, 1998 JAN 16 (NB) -- By Steve Gold, Newsbytes. It what could turn out to be
one of the most embarrassing government admissions of the last few years, the British
government has admitted today that a customized computer encryption computer has "gone
missing" from the Cabinet Office next door to 10 Downing Street, normally the Prime Minster's
residence, in London.
According to the government press office, the "spy computer system" was used for sending
highly encrypted messages to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the MI5/MI6 security
services. Newsbytes understands that the computer, the size of a VCR, operates over wireline
and wireless communications links.
Newsbytes notes that the Cabinet Office is normally surrounded by police and even access to
Downing Street itself is controlled by uniformed officers.
According to Scotland Yard, Charing Cross police station is "investigating an allegation of theft
from a government building in central London." No other details about the theft, including the
date of when the unit disappeared, have been released.
Although the Cabinet Office claims that there are no security problems associated with the
apparent theft of the unit, Newsbytes notes that the computer almost certainly uses the top
secret Rambutan encryption system, which is claimed to be absolutely hacker-proof.
The Rambutan encryption system is normally chip-based and has a highly complex encryption
algorithm developed by Cheltenham-based CESG, part of the Zergo group, to protect files and
data communications.
The encryption system operates at speeds of up to 64,000 bits per second and is suitable for
ISDN (integrated service digital network) and analog modem communication, as well as analog
and digital radio links.
Reported by Newsbytes News Network, newsbytes.com .
(19980116)
Copyright cNewsbytes News Network. |
