RE: Detecting/estimate whether data is encrypted

["Paul Jenkins" <pjenkins () dsci com>]

Just a thought here, but Unencrypted data should have data at the beginning
(file header?) of the set, that says what the file is, ?right?, jpg, bmp,
mov, whatever. If the traffic or data is encrypted that would be unreadable.


-Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On
Behalf Of chris
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:19 PM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Detecting/estimate whether data is encrypted

Hi list,

For the purpose of some research, I'd like to check if (or how likely) a
piece of data is encrypted. I'm particularly interested in analyzing
whether network traffic is encrypted. To make things easier: I don't
mind which algorithm and/or key lengths are used, but just would like
express on a scale from 0% to 100% how likely the data is encrypted.

Some brainstorming led me to the conclusion that measuring the entropy
of data may be a good start. Drawback: there may be false positives,
mostly due to compression).

Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Chris


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securing Apache Web Server with thawte Digital Certificate
In this guide we examine the importance of Apache-SSL and who needs an SSL
certificate.  We look at how SSL works, how it benefits your company and how
your customers can tell if a site is secure. You will find out how to test,
purchase, install and use a thawte Digital Certificate on your Apache web
server. Throughout, best practices for set-up are highlighted to help you
ensure efficient ongoing management of your encryption keys and digital
certificates.

http://www.dinclinx.com/Redirect.aspx?36;4175;25;1371;0;5;946;e13b6be442f727
d1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attachment: smime.p7s
Description: