Pretty Good Privacy: PGP An Encryption System by Philip R. Zimmermann -Mark, Dave, Bobby-

Childhood Born February 12 th, 1954 in Camden, New Jersey Born February 12 th, 1954 in Camden, New Jersey Independent Independent Dreamt of becoming an astronomer Dreamt of becoming an astronomer Became interested in codes while watching M.T. Graves and the Dungeon Became interested in codes while watching M.T. Graves and the Dungeon

Education Attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton Attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton Originally wanted to major in Physics Originally wanted to major in Physics Ended up majoring in Computer Science Ended up majoring in Computer Science Created his own code as his final project Created his own code as his final project Graduated University in 1978 Graduated University in 1978

Early Adulthood Got Married in 1977 to Kacie Cavenaugh (switchboard operator) Got Married in 1977 to Kacie Cavenaugh (switchboard operator) Worked for Harris Computer Systems Worked for Harris Computer Systems Moved to Boulder, Colorado and became a freelance computer consultant Moved to Boulder, Colorado and became a freelance computer consultant Founded Metamorphic Systems Founded Metamorphic Systems

PGP  Zimmermann released his first version of PGP in 1991  Designed to give the common user a means of totally secure communication  Originally distributed as freeware on the internet

What is PGP?  Hybrid of symmetric and asymmetric encryption systems Message encrypted with symmetric cipher (IDEA)Message encrypted with symmetric cipher (IDEA) Key encrypted with asymmetric cipher (RSA)Key encrypted with asymmetric cipher (RSA)  Message and key were then bundled and sent  Resulted in a secure and resource efficient cipher

The Release of PGP  PGP was publicly released onto the internet This meant that anyone internationally could see itThis meant that anyone internationally could see it

The Case U.S. Customs officials looked into ViaCrypt and Austin Code Works U.S. Customs officials looked into ViaCrypt and Austin Code Works The National Security Agency argued that it would difficult to keep tabs on hostile governments and foreign terrorists The National Security Agency argued that it would difficult to keep tabs on hostile governments and foreign terrorists Since WWII the US has regarded cryptographic software as a weapon of war Since WWII the US has regarded cryptographic software as a weapon of war

The Case Continued Because PGP had such a high strength, it was deemed impermissible to export Because PGP had such a high strength, it was deemed impermissible to export The PGP fell under the Arms Export Control Act The PGP fell under the Arms Export Control Act The main problem with the PGP was that it was simply too hard to decipher. The main problem with the PGP was that it was simply too hard to decipher. The PGP compromised National Security The PGP compromised National Security

The Defense Zimmermann along with ViaCrypt felt as though their rights were being infringed Zimmermann along with ViaCrypt felt as though their rights were being infringed Right to Privacy Right to Privacy Public access to secure cryptography Public access to secure cryptography Right to publish digital writings Right to publish digital writings Right to equal protection under the law Right to equal protection under the law Zimmermann was unable to pay for legal defenses to fight the government Zimmermann was unable to pay for legal defenses to fight the government

The Electronic Frontier Foundation The EFF responded to Zimmerman’s case through three separate actions The EFF responded to Zimmerman’s case through three separate actions Raised and contributed a great deal of funds to support Zimmermann legally Raised and contributed a great deal of funds to support Zimmermann legally Researched the facts of PGP and other related cases to prepare themselves for future cases Researched the facts of PGP and other related cases to prepare themselves for future cases Launched a First Amendment campaign in order to raise money and educate policy makers along with the general public Launched a First Amendment campaign in order to raise money and educate policy makers along with the general public

Case Conclusion Three years after the case began, all the charges were dropped in early 1996 Three years after the case began, all the charges were dropped in early 1996 Zimmerman was then free from any more governmental scrutiny Zimmerman was then free from any more governmental scrutiny

Conclusion After the case was dropped, Zimmermann founded his own company and continued to refine his product releasing an updated version of PGP along with other related products PGP has had a large effect in many important communications Questions?