Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

You mean "Spooks" isn't a documentary? :(

seriously though, I would have thought a password could be cracked though you make a good point, how can he be jailed. Like I said I found the story strange

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

I thought it could be cracked as well but you learn something new everyday :(:D

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

So does this mean that the right to remain silent does not extend to computer passwords?

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

Would look like it as he is locked up for remaining silent:erm: and very interesting question :D

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

I'd guess the fifty days are purely for refusing to disclose the password, he won't do fifty days and then walk away, when his time is done he'll go before the judge once more and be asked again for the password, that is if they have not cracked it by then.
If he refuses, he'll get another fifty days...and so on.

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

I would say that's covered under double deopardy, but that's another human right our Labour dear leaders have unburdened us with.

I don't know if it's urban legend or not and wether it happened here or abroad, but didn't a priest get an indefinite prison sentence for refusing to divulge details of a murder obtained under confession. Even if it happened again iu;m sure the European Court would overturn it.

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

Double jeopardy was done away with in 2005.

I haven't heard that story about the priest.

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

There are plenty of examples where the right to remain silent doesn't exist.

Having to provide the name of the driver of a vehicle is the example that immediately springs to mind.

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

You can download encryption from the Internet free of charge and encrypt a message that is unlikely to be broken in your lifetime, even assuming there are massive advances in computing power during that time.

The only option is to try every possible combination of letters, numbers and punctuation. Think about how long that will take given the 26 letters of each case, 10 numbers, and various bits of punctuation over 50 characters ;)

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

I wonder if they've tried 'password123' :)

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

He'll just do the fifty days. they won't keep going around in circles asking him for the password, and putting him away again if he won't or can't tell them.

---------- Post added at 09:38 ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 ----------

What if you genuinely can't remember it? what if you had a piece of paper with a line of 50 characters hidden in a safe deposit box on the otherside of the world, that you said is the correct password that doesn't work when they go and bring it back?

---------- Post added at 09:58 ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 ----------

That's only got 11. this one's got 50 and might even work :)

SIERRA MIKE FOXTROT CHARLIE YANKEE CHARLIE SIERRA CHARLIE

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

50 alpha characters is crazy, entropy of 256 bits + (more like 270)

Even if it could be cracked I very much doubt that the black helicopter squadron would admit they had the capability.

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

Well even if he dodges being charged this time he'll be under watch until he slips up..:erm:

Re: Man jailed over computer password refusal
 

There are many encryption programs available free on the internet that use algorithms that if properly implemented are nigh impossible to crack. 3DES & Blowfish 256 are a couple that spring to mind.
A couple of techniques:
Brute force every option that will take longer than the age of the universe...seriously
Rubber hose decryption which involves hitting him with a rubber hose until he reveals it.

Nobody can remember a random 50 character passwords unless it's a phrase or lyrics to a song he may have in his music collection. A decent personality profile should indicate what it might be.

Brute forcing a password like "johnny" has to be started from scratch if he changes it to "Johnny"