[ale] little math

[Geoffrey]

Brian MacLeod wrote:
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> On 2/11/10 10:05 AM, Geoffrey wrote:
>> The randomness of such a solution is, a, not random?  You'd simply be 
>> repeating that same data, hence not random.  Which returns me to my 
>> original question, why is random data necessary?  Why not just write nulls?
> 
> 
> - From what I have gleaned from the thread:
> 
> Because nulls aren't random either.  The idea is that there shouldn't be
> ANY pattern to the data on the drive because to create an encrypted
> store on the drive mean to create random looking data on the drive.  If
> "someone" were to inspect the drive, and see patterns (repeated "random"
> patterns or strings of 1s, 0s, or even nulls) then "someone" could
> determine there's encrypted data there (and it's approximate size,
> volume-wise), whereas if the whole thing has been randomized beforehand,
> then an attacker would have to work harder just to get that information,
> let alone anything else.
> 
> A form of security by obscurity, but in this case, a "reasonable" one in
> that it's not a critical to the functioning of the operations at hand or
> the security itself.

Okay, so I wasn't paying attention to the whole thread.  This does make 
sense now.  On the other hand, if you were simply trying to erase all 
the data on the drive, say, to dispose of it, then writing nulls would 
be sufficient.

> 
> Brian
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-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

"I predict future happiness for America if they can prevent
the government from wasting the labors of the people under
the pretense of taking care of them."
- Thomas Jefferson