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Hardware Voice Encryption


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Im currently looking at the design of a hardware based voice encryption system that can be used with any mobile phone. Current voice encryption are software based, and are glorified toys ( sorry guys but its true!) , and require both ends to have the same phone and software.

Any "M" types out there know of hardware products that do this kind of thing?

Also, if we were to create something that weighed two ounces and would work with any phone that had bluetooth or a line in, would you buy it and how much would you pay?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Im currently looking at the design of a hardware based voice encryption system that can be used with any mobile phone. Current voice encryption are software based, and are glorified toys ( sorry guys but its true!) , and require both ends to have the same phone and software.

Any "M" types out there know of hardware products that do this kind of thing?

Also, if we were to create something that weighed two ounces and would work with any phone that had bluetooth or a line in, would you buy it and how much would you pay?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Im currently looking at the design of a hardware based voice encryption system that can be used with any mobile phone. Current voice encryption are software based, and are glorified toys ( sorry guys but its true!) , and require both ends to have the same phone and software.

Any "M" types out there know of hardware products that do this kind of thing?

Also, if we were to create something that weighed two ounces and would work with any phone that had bluetooth or a line in, would you buy it and how much would you pay?

There is just one hardware device I know, called Crypt-a-cell (about £820 Incl.VAT / device) compatible with some really old fashion Nokia devices. It looks like this:

tn_3f32c8e24e7f7937e32f1454ec514d46.jpg

This device encrypts, to military level, outgoing and incoming, voice communications over the GSM network, by creating an encrypted communications channel with either an encryption centre or another Crypt-a-Cell unit.

No doubt, first major disadvantage is that the connection sockets (inputs) are so different that you just can not use a universal connector. You have to go wireless (Bluetooth I think is the most reliable and energy saving).

Increasing cell size by using this device should not be a problem for those who want to keep secrets... secret. I presume that nobody want to encrypt cell conversations with his... mom e.g.

Encrypted voice will be transmitted over gsm network (some kind of voice scrambler) , or as data over GPRS (fully encrypted packages)?

In first case will be no annoying and confusing delay. But if encryption is data packets based (GPRS) there will be a delay, depending on what encryption algorithm you use (stronger mean slower).

For example, if you want to use a medium encryption as AES (Advanced Encryption Standards) or DES (Data Encryption Standard) authorized by the National Security Agency for use by the US Government, then there will be a delay (lag) of 1.40 to 1.80 seconds. I know, doesn't look to much but trust me, in a real life conversation, this is confusing you.

In case you want to use a higher encryption algorithms like AES 256 Bits, Elliptic Curve 384 Bits (RSA 7680 Bits Equivalent) and Diffie Hellman 4096 Bits, then lag will be a bit bigger because bandwidth usage in standby mode is about 1 KB per minute, and on secure call about 250 KB per minute. I only know just one Israel based company producing military grade encryption apps. for mobile phones, available for ordinary users. And its very costly (about 1500$ for a lifetime single license).

I think you should start thinking about who or what kind of people will use this device. Definitely, teenagers are not interested (maybe a few 007 fans). Mom and Dad can not intercept their conversations about school attendance :) In my opinion, your target should be people over 25-30 years of age, corporate people, PI's, human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, etc. They have professional secrets to keep safe. They are not to happy pressing cell buttons every time when they need a secure call, that's why a simple and fast on/of encryption device will be more than welcome for them.

Asking about price: for this people and their secrets no prices are too high... Moreover, a price like 20-30$ will make them think about a toy not a real encryption device.

On the other hand, making a call using data encryption, you thereby attracting further unwanted attention to network provider and Big Brother. You probably have something to hide - they will think.

Talking about voice scrambler (device or software based): obviously, the main advantage is that there is no need for two paired devices. On the phone without a voice scrambler, the voice will be still intelligible, but (more or less) not recognizable. The main advantage is coming from the point of view of law: the voice is already altered, so in case the phone is tapped, that tape can not be a valid evidence. No forensic specialists can say for certain, that scrambled voice belong to X.

My question: why a crypto-device and not a software solution? It more easy deployable, no shipping taxes, no extra costs, no special approvals.

Cheers,

Tudor.

PS: I've read some nice things about FlexiSPY and some failed encryption software, here.

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  • 1 month later...

Hello,

Architect, I must say to you that this piece of equipment that you describe have a huge sales potential.

The problems with the encryption software solutions actually available on the market is that all of them work point to point which requires that at least two phones have the same software solution. This way it is only possible to the user to have secure (hypothecically) phone conversations with only one or two other persons. The other problem is that all the software available in the market are very limited to a small list of compatible phones. This two problems, decreases severely the sales potentials.

If you can design an encryption hardware that can overcome this two problems, let me know, I certainly will be available to be in the forefront as a reseller of this product.

Regards,

Nuno Abrantes

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Hey Nuno.

Any encrypted communication (via gprs, gsm, etc.) needs to be... decrypted on the corespondent device. If not, there is no reason to use just one encryption device. So, you will need at least two encryption devices.

I have to admit that software based encryption solutions are limited to a few phone types. But let's think: this is not that kind of device needed (and used) by masses. Interested or potential costumers/users are coming from few social categories. So, who is using already a smartphone (usually expensive) then is not a problem buying a device/software for encryption.

I'm running myself an forum about intelligence, spy-tech, gsm, cdma, Thuraya proffesional interception, encryption and decryption, how to detect and avoid professional gsm interceptors, spy news, etc. Unfortunately is not in english language, but you can use Google Translate. Just recently I've started few posts on english (spy news mainly).

If you are interested, I'll send you a link.

Cheers,

Tudor.

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Hey Nuno.

Any encrypted communication (via gprs, gsm, etc.) needs to be... decrypted on the corespondent device. If not, there is no reason to use just one encryption device. So, you will need at least two encryption devices.

I have to admit that software based encryption solutions are limited to a few phone types. But let's think: this is not that kind of device needed (and used) by masses. Interested or potential costumers/users are coming from few social categories. So, who is using already a smartphone (usually expensive) then is not a problem buying a device/software for encryption.

I'm running myself an forum about intelligence, spy-tech, gsm, cdma, Thuraya proffesional interception, encryption and decryption, how to detect and avoid professional gsm interceptors, spy news, etc. Unfortunately is not in english language, but you can use Google Translate. Just recently I've started few posts on english (spy news mainly).

If you are interested, I'll send you a link.

Cheers,

Tudor.

Hello Tudor,

You are right in everything you said, but even to the corporate clients, sometimes it´s very dificult to market this kind of software/hardware if they have to buy several licences (software) or several pieces (hardware) to make safe conversations.

It will be more easier if someone succeeds and make possible some kind of mechanism that secures one phone and make it untraceable to any kind of interception attempt independently of the third party phones are safe or not. If encryption is not possible in this way, maybe there is another way.

I believe that this solution is very dificult to achieve, but I hope that someone can bring it to reality.

About your forum, of course im interested B). Please send the link.

Regards,

Nuno Abrantes

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Talking about voice encryption hardware: there is an US based company (Las Vegas), called Meganet Corporation claiming that they are the single producers in the world for voice encryption hardware compatible with java phones, PDA's, land line phones and satelite phones.

Well, if they are the single producers, then there is a big opportunity to come out with a brand new product.

By the way: they are suppliers for DoD (Department of Defense) for some spy phones (looks ordinary java phones) with less features than FlexiSPY enabled phones... :)

Please have a look on this commercial movie.

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