This is a fairly accurate description of the situation, but neglects to emphasize that the reason [1-cypherpunk] bothers convincing [2-coerced associate] to use encrypted e-mail is because [1] understands its importance and is attempting to share/spread that understanding.
Although [3-Joe Sixpack] may not understand or appreciate encryption, [3]'s support is helpful to protect [1]'s cryptography rights. Furthermore once [3] has crypto, [3] will resist attempts to take it away (along with his six pack, etc.). --- Meyer Wolfsheim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > ... > There are three main classes of mail encryption users: > > 1. The people who demand true security. > > These are the cypherpunks, the government agencies, the savvy > drug dealers, financial traders, etc. They won't trust S/MIME, > they won't trust EnvelopeMail, and they won't use Zixit. They > might use PGP, though if they have the resources they'll use > something developed securely in-house. This class is fairly > small. > > 2. The people coerced into using encryption by [1]. > > This is the government contractors, cypherpunks' relatives, > the drug couriers, and other business partners of the first > class. These people will use whatever standard is dictated by > the people with whom they must do business. This class is > also small, but makes up the majority of mail encryption > users today. > > 3. The people who might use it if it is easy. > > This is Joe Sixpack. This is who you are worrying about, > wanting S/MIME to deliver on its promises. This is Templeton > is worrying about, wanting opportunistic mail encryption. > > Public key crypto is a complicated, confusing concept. To > date, no one has even proposed a system that would be both > secure under a reasonable threat model for [1] and simple > enough to be groked by [3]. And guess what? [3] doesn't care. > [3] isn't asking for it. [3] might use it if it existed, but > you'd be lucky to be appreciated for your troubles. Most > likely, you're only in for a lot of criticism when your > solution doesn't measure up to [1]'s standards. > > If you want to be the guardian of Joe Sixpack, go right > ahead. Be warned that it is a thankless job. > > > -MW- ===== end LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com
