True enough, the braindamaged ECPA notwithstanding. But even calls placed between conventional telephones can, on occasion, be almost as easily intercepted. Tune around below 6 MHz or so with the SSB receiver. Rumor has it that dedicated circuits belonging to travel reservation services have been heard in this manner. At present, users communicating over the network have little privacy.
Sophisticated users can easily intercept and read messages.
This lack of security has increasingly worried computer experts as the use of the networks has spread. For many scientists and engineers, the networks have become a mainstay in their communications, used to exchange research results as well as carry on conversations that would otherwise occur over the telephone. Under the new system, not only can an encrypted message be sent but the message will carry concealed information that will leave no doubt for the recipient that the person who says he sent the message did indeed send it. The recipient will also know with certainty that the message has not been altered. The encryption will be offered to 400 computer networks that are tied by the Internet network.