Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

OTPs and number stations can't be cracked mathematically and the channel is secure as long as the receiving end doesn't let the pad get into bad hands (this is achieved by compartmental communications and code words on top).

I would have thought that recent OpenSSL, SecureTransport and GnuTLS news would disprove your point. Not only that, we don't know what bad actors with unlimited resources can do with our communications if tapped.

So number stations and OTP are still viable and always will be.

With respect to numbers stations the transmission is centralised as well which means it's hard to break the channel infrastructure without crossing a border physically.



Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: