Question about encryption protocols such as ADP and DMR Enhanced Privacy

[telxonmaster]

First off, i am NOT asking how to break encryption, nor am I asking for software to do the same. I'm asking about my own personal communications, and how secure they are or aren't.

I hear countless discussions about ADP and Enhanced Privacy being broken, but have yet to actually see proof of this. Has anyone actually broken them firsthand, or witnessed it being done? How long did it take?

In my scenario, I run encryption for simplex traffic between me and 1-2 other people at large events, camping, etc. I don't see there being a high likelihood of my comms being compromised, nor do I think it would be worth the time for someone to want to, it's more of a way to prevent casual snoops, as opposed to hiding anything sensitive.

I'd assume that you need to capture a fair amount of traffic to have enough data to start attacking it, and if that's the case, 2 people casually using a channel likely would require a lot longer than a large organization with many users.

On the other hand, I'm using my DTR radios more and more, as they excel in so many areas, namely the range and the fact that there are currently no known ways to listen in on private groups, with the likely exception of Motorola themselves, or perhaps some 3 letter agencies.

I'm just tired of hearing "it's broken" without anyone providing actual proof. Broken by who? An electronics engineer with a lab full of expensive gear, or someone with a $20 SDR and some coding skills? There's a big difference

 

[buddrousa]

For 1 no expert here but to do what you are referring to could be done just not easy.
1 you would have the right stuff.
2 you have to have a constant signal for a time long enough to decode or guess it.
3 I doubt anyone at a campground would have said equipment.

 

[stantorres]

You might be able to break that encryption with a Drogan's Decoder Wheel

 

[telxonmaster]

Buddrousa, This is what I thought. For one, my comms aren't going to be interesting enough to want to crack, and I'm not on the air constantly.

Stantorres, I don't think it would matter what algo you'd be running in that case!

 

[KevinC]

My cousins friend knows someone who saw a story about someone cracking ADP, so it's true.

But seriously, if the key variable isn't transmitted OTA I'm pretty sure the only way is brute force. The length of the key variable will determine the amount of effort needed to find it.

ETA...but I'm not a cryptologist so my answer could be completely incorrect.

 

[belvdr]

Another thing to consider is if it's even worth worrying about if your comms can be decrypted. If it's just chit-chat, then I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[RodStrong]

I hear countless discussions about ADP and Enhanced Privacy being broken, but have yet to actually see proof of this.

Bingo. Don't worry about it brah.

 

[rescuecomm]

Real time decoding of your comms is unlikely. That said,, change your key between outings and remember that low RF power is your friend.