its possible to decrypted frequency in 2023?

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mikewazowski

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can we hear the frequencies that are encrypted (police, fire) with RTCL-SDR, DSD +, SDSshark. can we decrypt frequencies, because they will go digital and encrypt
No, you cannot decrypt encrypted frequencies. If we could, why would someone spend money encrypting?
 

jaspence

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Digital is not encryption and many digital systems can be monitored in the different radio services using P25, DMR, NXDN, and other formats.
 

ladn

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can we hear the frequencies that are encrypted (police, fire) with RTCL-SDR, DSD +, SDSshark. can we decrypt frequencies, because they will go digital and encrypt
Digital does not equal encryption. It's just a different form of modulation/waveform.
Consumer level scanners, et al, don't have the necessary hardware to decode encrypted signals.

Hypothetically, it is possible to decrypt AES 256 encryption because all of the possible keys are known and can be generated. BUT the number of keys is astronomically large. There are other protocols besides AES 256, but decrypting any of them by brute force is well beyond the capabilities of a hobbyist. Here's an explanation from stack overflow:

"If you were simply brute forcing every possible key, there would be 2^256 keys you need to try. You'd expect to find it after going through (on average) half of the keys, so average expected number of attempts would be 2^255. This is a Really Big Number. If every atom on earth (about 1.3 * 10^50 atoms) was a computer that could try ten billion keys a second, it would still take about 2.84 billion years. Brute-forcing is simply not possible - you'd need to find a weakness in the algorithm that lets you take a short-cut here."
 

Chance

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The same encryption algorithms that are used in radio are also used to protect internet transactions, disk drives, national security, and just about every element of life nowadays where you don't want a eavesdropper. If one was able to easily decrypt AES 256, they would not be wasting their ability on scanning.

It is expected that at some point in the future the generally accepted encryption algorithms of today will be easily cracked. Perhaps quantum computing or some other yet to be discovered technology. So perhaps if you were to capture the radio traffic of some major event today, in 50 years from now you might be able to decrypt it.
 

RaleighGuy

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can we hear the frequencies that are encrypted (police, fire) with RTCL-SDR, DSD +, SDSshark. can we decrypt frequencies, because they will go digital and encrypt

It's rumored if you fold and connect two paperclips in just the right way, with the proper cable, and correct color paperclip based on the frequency you want to decrypt, you should be able to hear something. Of course it might depend on the gauge of aluminum you used to make your hat.
 

MStep

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This moderator disagrees. This thread is about decrypting encrypted signals. The referenced thread is about a linkage between live streaming and encryption.
That's cool. As they say, (almost) everything in "moderation". ;-) Thanks for clarifying. I originally suspected, as one of the posters suggested, that this thread might be closed quickly. I'm happy to see that it was not.
 
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Scan125

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Not wanting to point fingers (and I often point at myself with a slap to the forehead) I think many of us ask questions which on later reflection should have been obvious.

In the OP's original post/question they may have been thinking that going digital means encryption. Well this have already been discussed and answered above.

The "slap the forehead moment" is do we ever step back for a moment ask ourselves do we want our supposedly HTPPS/encrypted transactions to readily decrypted so people can see our financials etc."

One often needs to turn the compass needle at yourself and ask the question. If you do that then you have answered your own question.

That said asking is decryption of anything is possible then "nothing is impossible" but the earth may freeze over before that happens.

Also I'm reading / hearing that there are growing concerns about Quantum and Neural computers being able to radically reduce the time to crack any given encryption. This could be a concern for "static" data.

However for encrypted data/transmissions then unless they are recorded they are just disturbances in the ether and useful real time decryption is never going to happen unless you can find the encryption/decryption key.

If a simple car remote can/do use hopping codes to counter interception than I strongly suspect that radios that use encryption do even more anti attack methods of not using the same key all the time.
 

n2nov

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The underlying philosophical question is whether public service agencies should encrypt their transmissions. Arguments over the years keep pointing to "national security" or "undercover operations". Here in NYC we are now observing local dispatch frequencies being converted to encrypted communications. To put it bluntly, if government does not trust the citizens, should citizens trust the government?
 

GlobalNorth

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It is quite possible to do so, if you have a very advanced understanding of abstract algebras [yes, there are many forms of algebra] and higher order mathematics. You'll also need to have access to a supercomputer to work through all possible permutations.

If Euler's totient function, phi function, modular arithmetic, Fermat's little theorem, Eratosthene's sieve, and Diffie-Hellman theory, et.al. are understandable, you have somewhat of a foundation to begin studies in modern cryptography.
 

MStep

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The underlying philosophical question is whether public service agencies should encrypt their transmissions. Arguments over the years keep pointing to "national security" or "undercover operations". Here in NYC we are now observing local dispatch frequencies being converted to encrypted communications. To put it bluntly, if government does not trust the citizens, should citizens trust the government?
Hi Charles--- Long time since we chatted. In response to your post about the local dispatch frequencies, It has to be a massive undertaking in New York City to make sure every single base, mobile and portable unit is correctly "keyed" into the system. One glitch could put the officers and civilians lives at stake. I can understand encryption currently for limited tactical operations, where the command unit would also have access to the analog side of the system.

But it's hard for me to imagine knowing (as I imagine you do) how easily the bureaucracy can screw things up, and I would be surprised if they are actually able to implement a full system here in New York City. And notwithstanding the gripes from the major and minor press services, other city agencies, and various politicos. It could very well be a situation where the ends do not justify the means. You give up more than you get in return.

To the OP's original thought, given the amount of equipment currently available to monitor the bands, you always have to wonder, with a "container" so big, it requires a lot of vigilance to look for even the tiniest of leaks.

The arguments will continue to resonate over those "national security" or "undercover operations" concerns. As to member "chance" comment above, "It is expected that at some point in the future the generally accepted encryption algorithms of today will be easily cracked. Perhaps quantum computing or some other yet to be discovered technology. So perhaps if you were to capture the radio traffic of some major event today, in 50 years from now you might be able to decrypt it."

To which I say, the way technology is moving, I think "5 years" is a more reasonable. Especially if all radios in the system would have to be "the same" to allow for intercommunication.

To member "GlobalNorth", if Albert Einstein were with us today, he would probably look at the algorithms, shake his head, and then say "This is all too simple, you guys have fun; I'm going to the beach."

Nevertheless. let the show begin.
 
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