I am everything you hate about people on the internet. I am here to help.

[Blacklight]

I am male, mid 20's and grew up with this technology.
Wondering what something means?
Wondering how to do something?
Wondering how your kids did something?
Wondering if you should let your kids do something?

No Strawberry, stay. It's one of the few threads where you could say that and set people wondering and awaiting a rebuttal. I'm actually keen to see how the encryption debate goes.

I got my first computer, an Amstrad, when I was 12. I too loved Chuckie Egg!

Coding was fun, trying to use the word-processor on that green monstrosity was a nightmare.

I started learning computing and wordprocessing in secondary, back in the 90s. I trained office workers in WordPerfect as a summer job, those were the days!

I remember when the Telex was in use, and when the Fax was a technological marvel. I got my first laptop at Uni, back in 1997. I was a Beta tester for Microsoft Networks, and had my first proper internet experience back in 1998.
How old were you then, Blacklight?

I have worked in the IT and internet industry since 1999.

We may be mums, some of us in our 40s, but we are not daft, or demented! We have grown up with this technology too, and seen it develop from infancy to what it is today.

If we dont know about Ask FM, or bother about Twitter or Instagram, it is because it is not relevant. The great thing about technology today is that there is so much to chose from, you can easily sidestep what you dont need. This does not mean we dont have the ability to find out what it is and how to use if we want to. Heck, we have learnt so much else, why the assumption we cant work things out for ourselves?

Because you think we are older? Because we are parents? Or because we are women (at least most of us are) ?

Encryption is roughly based on two things. How important is the data, how long will it take to crack. The second part is what I'm interested in, given the speed at which processing power increases, merely dismissing a brute force as being ineffective TODAY doesn't account for the speed at which it could be achieved in 20 years. The question; more than anything, is why can't I encrypt something so that no one will ever be able to access it?

why can't I encrypt something so that no one will ever be able to access it?

That is a ludicrous question. Nobody can encrypt something and be sure of NOBODY ever being able to access it unless you are prepared to throw more money at it than the actual data is worth. I'm assuming here that your data is no more important than anyone else's random stuff. Feel free to tell me if you are working for MI5 or something.

why can't I encrypt something so that no one will ever be able to access it?
In a sort of non-intended way, I suspect you've managed that trick on this thread..

Did you join MN to talk about encryption protocols and algorithms, blacklight? That seems, er, unusual to me. I'm pretty sure there are many forums that would be more interested in such a discussion and they'd probably be less sweary, less likely to poke fun at you, and less mean, too. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

What on earth could you wish to encrypt forever?
Financial data held by organisations should be kept for a limited period of time and security standards should be maintained. If it's personal stuff then in 20 years time you'll be able to review it or if something has gone wrong you'll be beyond caring.
The best protection is your choice to keep stuff private and off the internet or cloud.

@Opopanax

It is as you point out, ludicrous but is essentially what the entire point of encryption is. No?

@BuffytheThunderLizard
Yes and no, the main factors are making something simple and making it secure, two polar opposites. To be more secure you require a longer key, to be simpler you need a shorter key [to remember] my point is, assuming I am not bothered by the speed of encryption, why can I not select a key length far beyond anything that is possible to brute force within a lifetime?

Well, wiggle my mouse. I can't believe this is still rumbling on.

Nor the obliviousness of the OP & his toasty toes.

@ChippingInGluggingOn

To be angry at someone on the internet is like being angry with your computer. Yes there is a person on the other end, but you are just text on a screen. Why is there any need to get upset.

Glad you weren't scared off after all, blacklight. Your interests do sound intriguing. Perhaps you might become another Pigletjohn.

#myquestionsareignored :)

@GiddyOnZackHunt

What could I wish to encrypt forever? Anything that has my personal details within it. Anything. My employment details, bank account spread sheets, credit card statements, contacts lists, absolutely anything.

Why? What purpose would endless encryption serve? The point of encryption is NOT to encrypt all data forever. It is to encrypt it until it is no longer worth breaking the encryption (for most data that is not a great length of time).

So either you're voluntarily putting this stuff online (why?) or you're holding it with organisations over whom you have no control.
Important stuff is held in my head. Other stuff is on physical media. I have a very small footprint. There's little a determined hacker could target except via a bank or large website.
Don't let paranoia overrule common sense.

@GiddyOnZackHunt

I don't; I still have a facebook account.

Yes and I put nothing on fb that I wouldn't put on a billboard.
So why the encryption worries?
You said spreadsheets, credit cards etc. Are you talking about changing the establishment or your personal security?
I'm away to bed and will pick up tomorrow.

This reads like a web chat!!
I preferred the idris Elba one to be honest!!

just text on a screen

THE OP IS SCOTTISHMUMMY! I win, I win and I claim my £5.

Plus were we not promised a knob picture earlier on in the thread. I'm on the phone app but it appears to remain unposted!

MagratsHair, you must be right!!
I thought I kinda had an idea what SM does for a living and techy stuff was Not It
The OP is not typing in 3 lines though…..

Encryption, eh?
Can we not just all write in lemon juice?

I can borrow ds's Invisible Ink pen?

Yes, that's the level of technology I can cope with - just!