Letters: READER FEEDBACK

Dear 2600: Here's the latest info on phone scramblers. Phone scramblers/descramblers are a type of device which allows one to communicate over the phone without anyone being able to hear your conversation in between the source and destination of the call.  They are perfectly legal to own and operate, but there is one catch. (The following information was obtained from a phreak who worked with an ex-CIA agent - to verify the validity of this statement.)  The CIA, working in conjunction with AT&T, has the right to legally tap up to 600 phone lines in the U.S.  The way that they are able to do this is that Bell Telephone can "test" your line any time it likes to see if it is working in proper order.  Under the new ESS telephone system, finding scramblers/descramblers is very easy and once you are found, an instant file is generated on both the sender and the receiver of the call.  They (CIA) will also do their best to try and crack your scrambler code.  I have been told that they are extremely good at this.  My advice to those of you out there thinking about building such a device is to seek other ways and for those of you currently using them to stop.  Using these devices is simply waving a flag to AT&T and CIA saying, "I've got something important to say, and I don't want you to hear it."       Agent Orange Thanks for the info and for the warning.  While you're most probably correct about the powers that be taking a strong interest in any person using such a device, it seems absurd that we should have to constantly live in fear of having our privacy stripped, simply because we desire a little privacy! We face some real problems in the near future if surveillance continues to grow and not enough is done by individuals to curb it.  Technology is a deadly weapon for anyone. Stay alive, awake, and indignant - you can't lose.  Thanks for writing.

Dear 2600: I just had a horrible experience.  As a faithful subscriber to this magazine, I keep all of my copies in a special loose-leaf book.  This comes in very handy because they're not scattered all over the house, like most other things I possess.  But last week, I dropped my loose-leaf book on the floor and of course it opened, scattering all of the pages here and there.  Now, I have no trouble piecing together the first page of each issue, but I can't remember where the other ones belong, since they don't have any date on them!  Can you help me piece them back together and take steps to ensure that this tragedy doesn't reoccur in the future?  Thanks.       Miserable in Philadelphia You've raised a very good point, one which we overlooked completely.  While most of our stories are essentially "timeless," it does help to know when a certain article was printed.  For this reason, we have begun (as of this issue) to number our pages in manual format.  For instance, this is page 1-46 which means Volume 1, Page 46 of the year.  We hope this eases the suffering.  As far as previous issues, we will be coming out with a summary sheet towards the end of the year which well send to all subscribers.  We'll try to get yours out early.  And if anyone else knows of something we've overlooked or wants to make a suggestion, please write.

Dear 2600: I'm working on a book that gives the hackers' viewpoint and explains why he/she penetrates computer systems.  I believe that even though I'm currently incarcerated, I could get a publisher to publish such a book. To get this viewpoint I need help.  I need the input of people who are active - the more the better.  I also need the views of people who trash systems too.  All I've ever seen is the viewpoint of the law enforcement agencies, media, business, and hackers that are caught etc. etc. etc.  It's time your views were heard. What I would do is just edit letters etc. sent to me and use these as basis for the book.  By edit I mean pick the ones to be used in their entirety. People interested in helping me with this can write to me under handles or pen names at the following address.  Do not use your real name or address as my mail is censored by officials here.       John Gregg       Box 1000       Marion, IL 62959

A Correction

In our last issue, we erroneously gave our MCI Mail ID as 2600.  We didn't think there would be any problem in obtaining that ID, but there was.  The MCI Mail computer apparently can't handle all-digit usernames.  Our MCI Mail ID therefore, is 26HUNDRED.  Write to us there or at our mailing address or our new Telex address, all of which are listed on page one.  (Especially write to us if you can think of any new places to have an address!)