[Spooks] Question about spy numbers

[Chris Acuff]

Hello Jon,

The Numbers that we pick up are the countries transmitting messages to the
spies in the field.  That doesn't account for all of the numbers
transmissions though.  Some might be related to drug smuggling or
Clandestine operations or other things, but the majority of them are
believed to be espionage related.

The purpose is to transmit a message or whatever to an agent in the field.

They don't use the Enigma, they use a system called a one time pad, or a
variant of the one time pad.  One time pads are unbreakable IF they are used
right.  You can't force-crack it with a supercomputer or anything like that.
See these websites for more info about the one time pad:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-time_pad

http://www.decodesystems.com/mt/98oct/crypt.html

They use radio because an agent can turn it on and receive his/her message
and then hide it somewhere and not leave a trace of the numbers
transmission, unless he rouses suspicion and gets caught copying his message
red handed like one agent did.  Another reason that they still use radio is
that they can receive their message from almost anywhere in the world.

Encrypted packet radio would tie an agent to a decoder and/or a computer.
It doesn't require as much equipment if you use a one time pad, pencil,
paper, and a radio.

Anybody else have anything to add?

Chris A.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jon" <pcmanjon at swbell.net>
To: "Shortwave Spy Numbers Stations" <spooks at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:15 AM
Subject: [Spooks] Question about spy numbers


> Visit http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/spooks to unsubscribe from
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>
> So are these numbers we pick up actual spys or something secretive?
>
> What's the purpose of these things?
>
> They use enigma, enigma codes can be cracked in this day and age, can't
> they?
>
> Why do they still use radio instead of a more reliable way to send
> information?
>
> Encrypted packet radio would even be better
>
> thanks...
> jon