NSA cryptanalytic breakthrough

The Guardian has published more information on the NSA global surveillance program. This time it’s about NSA’s ability to intercept and decode a big part of global internet traffic.

According to these documents ‘US and British intelligence agencies have successfully cracked much of the online encryption relied upon by hundreds of millions of people to protect the privacy of their personal data, online transactions and emails, according to top-secret documents revealed by former contractor Edward Snowden.’

The Guardian also reveals that the NSA has made some kind of cryptanalytic breakthrough

‘Strict guidelines were laid down at the GCHQ complex in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on how to discuss projects relating to decryption. Analysts were instructed: "Do not ask about or speculate on sources or methods underpinning Bullrun." This information was so closely guarded, according to one document, that even those with access to aspects of the program were warned: "There will be no 'need to know'.

Very interesting stuff!