The prediction, in brief:

The possibilities [for hacking attacks] are really good. Public networks will make all sorts of new wire-tapping possible. Packet data networks – including the Internet – are broadcast media, which send traffic through hub sites that don’t give you the same level of confidence as the phone company. There are many more opportunities in the data world for wiretapping and spoofing attacks … Link-layer encryption will become nearly universal, along with end-to-end application encryption.

Predictor: Schiffman, Allan

Prediction, in context:

In a 1994 article for Infosecurity News written by Dave Powell, Allan Schiffman responds to the question, “Let’s say that the information superhighway follows your network’s security model. What, then, are the possibilities for data-network hacking attacks comparable to today’s PBX invasions and toll fraud?” Schiffman replies:”Unfortunately, I think the possibilities [for hacking attacks] are really good. Public networks will make all sorts of new wire-tapping possible. Packet data networks – including the Internet – are broadcast media, which send traffic through hub sites that don’t give you the same level of confidence as the phone company. There are many more opportunities in the data world for wiretapping and spoofing attacks. As a result, I believe that link-layer encryption will become nearly universal, along with end-to-end application encryption. That’s the kind of thing we’re trying to encourage. However, one risk will remain: network traffic analysis. Think of your competitors. They want to know your customer list, and Internet traffic analysis can do just that by showing people have called you up … Until people figure out what kind of privacy is appropriate for such traffic statistics, this kind of attack will be possible.”

Date of prediction: January 1, 1994

Topic of prediction: Communication

Subtopic: Security/Encryption

Name of publication: Infosecurity News

Title, headline, chapter name: Pit Stop on the Infobahn

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 16

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Garrison, Betty