Re: NYT reporter looking for advice re: encryption products

[Sandy Harris]

Lisa Guernsey wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I'm working on a story that mentions several encryption systems, and I've
> heard that many companies often claim they have good products when in fact
> they have the equivalent of snake oil.

"Snake oil" is so common that there's a FAQ on recognising it:

http://www.interhack.net/people/cmcurtin/snake-oil-faq.html

and well-known author Bruce Schneier did an article on it last year:

http://www.counterpane.com/crypto-gram-9902.html#snakeoil