Your IT Consultant

Encryption Protects Data Unless It Doesn’t

March 15, 2021

We are constantly telling folks that encryption is your friend. Encrypting data will protect it from unauthorized access. That’s why law enforcement keeps whining about having a back door to allow them access to the encrypted data. Of course, you should use a strong passphrase when encrypting data and use an encryption service or software that doesn’t have a back door. Apparently, some criminals were duped into using an encrypted chat app that was cracked by the police.

Tripwire reported that the police in Belgium and the Netherlands have arrested more than 80 people for criminal activity. The news reported that Europol said, since mid-February, authorities were able to monitor “the information flow of approximately 70,000 users of SKY ECC, unlocking the encryption.” The press release from the Dutch police showed an officer holding an encrypted SKY ECC phone. However, SKY ECC says the photo shows a fake app and not the secure app they deliver. Busted.

The lesson here is to know what you are using and only install apps from known and trusted sources. Apparently, those arrested 80+ people need a remedial class.

Email:  Phone: 703.359.0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsimek
https://amazon.com/author/johnsimek
https://senseient.com