News Tagged "CNET"
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Q&A: Schneier Warns of Marketers and Dancing Pigs
In a security industry full of FUD and hype, cryptographer and consultant Bruce Schneier offers a no-nonsense reality check verging on social commentary.
He has worked on numerous ciphers, hash functions, and other cryptographic algorithms that are arcane to the average computer user but which have been instrumental in protecting the privacy of data. But his influence extends beyond the world of encryption.
Schneier wrote several bestselling books—including “Secrets and Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World,” “Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly about Security in an Uncertain World,” and his latest, “Schneier on Security”—that provide perspective on risks and threats in everything from e-mail to airport security. And his …
Bruce Schneier's New View on Security Theater
Security expert Bruce Schneieris rightly regarded as one of the industry’s most intelligent and insightful participants. He has made substantial personal contributions to the science of cryptology, and has written some of the best books on the subject.
Like many smart people, Schneier is also highly opinionated. Although I have yet to hear a technical opinion from Schneier that I disagree with, some of his nontechnical opinions are—in my opinion—open to debate.
For example, Schneier coined the term “Security Theater” to describe measures that serve to make people feel safer without significantly improving security in any real sense…
Schneier Questions Need for Security Industry
Outspoken author and security guru Bruce Schneier has questioned the very existence of the security industry, suggesting it merely indicates the willingness of other technology companies to ship insecure software and hardware.
Speaking at Infosecurity Europe 2007, a leading trade show for the security industry, Schneier said, “the fact this show even exists is a problem. You should not have to come to this show ever.”
“We shouldn’t have to come and find a company to secure our e-mail. E-mail should already be secure. We shouldn’t have to buy from somebody to secure our network or servers. Our networks and servers should already be secure.”…
Security Vision: Bruce Schneier
Tech entrepreneur Bruce Schneier is one of America’s best-known computer security experts. His testimony before Congress helped defeat legal restrictions on cryptography sought by the FBI and the National Security Agency when an appellate court ruled in 1999 that crypto algorithms were a form of speech covered by the First Amendment.
Schneier co-founded security services company Counterpane Internet Security, where he serves as chief technologist. Arguing that constant vigilance, not technology, is the best defense against computer break-ins, Schneier believes security breaches are nonetheless fated to increase as networking systems become more complex…
Cryptographer Slams NT Security
A top cryptographer said Microsoft’s version of a key protocol in Windows NT is so flawed that users should avoid using virtual private network software based on Microsoft’s Point to Point Tunneling Protocol.
Bruce Schneier, a noted cryptographer, said the PPTP in Windows NT 4.0 is so broken it can’t be fixed with patches—a position that Microsoft disputes.
“I believe it’s fundamentally broken,” said Schneier, who authored a widely used cryptography textbook. “What we’re seeing is the basic problem of proprietary security standards. These are really dumb mistakes, kindergarten crypto.”…
Sidebar photo of Bruce Schneier by Joe MacInnis.