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TSA Master Keys

schneier.com

111–120 of 149 posts

Re: TSA Master Keys

#111

The worst damage an individual can do to the environment, short of starting a tire fire at the dump, is to fly. Save the environment and avoid the TSA, don't fly.

I am pretty sure that in terms of person-miles per gallon flying is comparable to automobiles. Are you referring to some secondary damage that flying causes?

Re: TSA Master Keys

#112
post #23

So luggage handlers can open my suitcase, put in some drugs, and at the other end I can get caught for having drugs in my luggage? They should setup a service where you checkin your luggage, they check it for drugs or illegal stuff, they seal it, and at arrival you get your suitcase with the guarantee that it had no drugs at checkin.

If the authorities want to frame you they don't have to go to so much trouble. The officer just uses the drugs in his pocket. The problem is the laws, clearly.

I assume the goal isn't to frame you, but to smuggle drugs.

Baggage handler/TSA agent at airport #1 opens baggage, places drugs inside, calls baggage hander/TSA agent at airport #2 with luggage brand and traveler name.

When flight arrives, hander #2 intercepts baggage. At this point, they either take the whole suitcase, or remove the drugs and the traveler is none the wiser.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#113
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems like a ridiculous waste of money. The people paying for it (US citizens and those who travel into or through the US) would surely see it as a waste. But the people profiting don't, and the people profiting are the same people who make the laws mandating them. I opt out of the naked scanners every time I fly. Just tell the TSA clown trying to herd you into the naked scanner the magic phrase "I'm opting out." A…

I'd do it if I have cause to fly into the States again, but I can't help but think its not really going to help much. From my youthful experiences at being a knob, I'd say don't piss off food makers/deliverers, or airline staff. I once annoyed a Qantas security lady, and I noticed it for a fair few trips afterwards. Then again, with wealthy interests controlling the US, I can't really see what will help at this stage…

You can opt out politely; I do it all the time. Recently, it's been interesting, since I dislocated my shoulder and can't yet lift my arm as high as they want me to. But it still seems to work out.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#114
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think this is the story you are talking about: http://www.news.com.au/national/killer-escaped-prison-after-...

> THE design for a key that allowed a convicted killer to escape from a Territory prison was printed on the cover of a booklet given to all inmates, it has been revealed. Pahahaha. That sounds like something you'd find in an ARG puzzle, but this was a prison. Kinda curious how the other prisoner had jeweler's equipment in his cell, it seems like that could be pretty dangerous. Good behavior?

Most prisons don’t look like it’s shown in movies, but more like http://static.businessinsider.com/image/53862b38ecad041f184e...

It’s also not uncommon for many criminals to be allowed to leave the prison and walk around in the surrounding area to go to stores, etc, unless they are a direct threat.

So, having this equip in the cell is not unusual.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#115

The worst damage an individual can do to the environment, short of starting a tire fire at the dump, is to fly. Save the environment and avoid the TSA, don't fly.

I am pretty sure that in terms of person-miles per gallon flying is comparable to automobiles. Are you referring to some secondary damage that flying causes?

Actually, flying is better than almost all cars sold in the US (except for the VW Up!, which comes close).

An Airbus A380 uses the equivalent energy of 3l gasoline per passenger per 100km. This is a mileage of 80mpg.

Only rail is more efficient.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#116
post #95
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A knife leaves obvious traces. Using a key both avoids making it immediately obvious and adds ambiguity – since most bag theft happens as part of organized rings inside airports, that's significant because it allows the airlines to avoid paying compensation by requiring hard proof that something expensive was actually in the bag when it entered the system and missing before you left.

So use a ballpoint pen on the zipper. You jam it in the nylon teeth so they separate, and you can loot the bag. Afterwards, use the zipper pull to heal the teeth and there's no trace you were in there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpIJVWXsBBI To counter this (and unauthorized use of a TSA key), wrap your bag in industrial cling-wrap plastic. You should also go right to baggage claim when you land. Most airports don…

That's definitely a valid attack on one type of bag but the point stands for everything else: e.g. many people use hard-shell cases for important things, which also radiate “more valuable than socks – steal me”.

In both cases, the problem is the same: the system makes a visible promise of security and has an easy silent failure mode. Getting rid of the TSA “safe” locks or locks at all on zippered bags would improve security by accurately communicating the level risk.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#117
post #72
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most luggage isn't really secure in the first place. It takes less time to open up a suitcase with a good knife than it does to unzip many suitcases. The idea that a little padlock will protect your suitcase from thieves is laughable. Like physical mail, the system is based on trust, and trying to patch security onto it is difficult.

Padlocks protect you from baggage handlers getting a little on the side while on the job. If a baggage handler slices your bag open with a knife, that's going to be noticed quickly, and the odds of being caught are high. If the bag is unlocked and he can merely unzip it, pocket something valuable, and replace it, then that may not be discovered for many hours or even days, and the odds of being caught are much lower.…

> and the odds of being caught are high

I had checks stolen from a carry-on bag at JFK, by a TSA employee, pretty much right under my nose. Some airports have had mafia-run theft rings operate for months or years before getting caught.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#118
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least then you can claim someone tampered with it. What if they steal your laptop from your baggage. Can you still claim you had it in there? Unless they open it right before the cameras (and they'll know where those are), you won't be able to do that.

Sure you can. I know a few people who lost their luggage - in those situation they just claimed the maximum value the airline would pay, so they suddenly had 5 laptops and jewelry in their luggage. I'm not saying that's a morally right thing to do(it isn't) but the airline will just take your word for it.

I don't know how that worked out for those people but the time that happened to me, the airline most definitely did NOT take your word for it. Their policy, which was standard on most U.S. carriers when I checked at the time, was to reimburse per-pound at a rate set for used clothing. If you wanted any more than that, you had to show purchases receipts to justify the price, which was aggressively appreciated, and they outright excluded anything with a plug so those 5 laptops wouldn't even be paid at the old t-shirt rate.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#119
post #117
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Padlocks protect you from baggage handlers getting a little on the side while on the job. If a baggage handler slices your bag open with a knife, that's going to be noticed quickly, and the odds of being caught are high. If the bag is unlocked and he can merely unzip it, pocket something valuable, and replace it, then that may not be discovered for many hours or even days, and the odds of being caught are much lower.…

> and the odds of being caught are high I had checks stolen from a carry-on bag at JFK, by a TSA employee, pretty much right under my nose. Some airports have had mafia-run theft rings operate for months or years before getting caught.

Did you discover the theft right away, or only after the fact?
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