All IP traffic gets split into packets which are collected at the destination and re-assembled (BTW, it's why sending sensitive mail is better over TCP/IP than telephone or snail mail - the mesage gets split up into same-sized packets and each finds a different route over the network; dipping into a network, you would only get fragments). As the packets stream thru the router, you look at the contents of each packet. At least, that's my explanation.
Ideally, the point of insert for a malicious sniffer would a router at Jiscmail - but I trust that their security would not allow that. Although, quite -why- one would go to all trouble just to see these emails is a tad mysterious. I think we're thinking far too hard about this, folks. I say we should let the prvacy stand for a while longer. The email list is advertised on aboutpoetry and other places, so there are ways in for people who want to in the mean time.
----- Original Message -----
From: "david.bircumshaw" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2001 11:29
Subject: Re: archive
> Though I too am very much of the party that the archives shd remain locked
> only as a temporary measure surely the consensus view (with apologies to
> those who feel they shdn't be locked at all) is that they should be locked
> for now, whatever their long-term condition will be.
>
> (I dunno what packet sniffers are, either, sounds like something gluey that
> used to happen in the lifts here, before they put on the 24 hour security
> guards. Or are they Crisp-spotters, the forthcoming novel by Irving Welsh?)
>
>
> Best
>
> Dave
>
|