From: trestrab@GVSU.EDU (BETH TRESTRAIL)
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 93 21:33:08 PST
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: Pablo and NSA
Message-ID: <9311057550.AA755080250@GVSU.EDU>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



>> NSA provided Columbian officials with the tools
>> necessary to decipher communication between the
>> Columbian drug lord and his cohorts.  Escobar had been
>> communicating by computer using the American Pretty
>> Good Privacy (PGP) software product which was
>> compromised by NSA officials working at a remote
>> listening station in the Columbian jungle. 
>>
>> 
>
>
>Hopefully this is a joke.  However, it does bring up a point.  The NSA can
> put fear into people's minds by simply *claiming* the ability to
>compromise PGP.  They don't have to really be able to.
>Just start a rumor, sit back, and watch what happens.
>
>Jim_Miller@suite.com
>

          Under any circumstances of what the NSA may or may not be
          able to do regarding breaking PGP, your traffic is certainly
          no worse off than sending it in the clear, and most likely
          quite a bit better off.

          Jeff
          trestrab@gvsu.edu