Black-bag cryptanalysis
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In cryptography, black-bag cryptanalysis is a euphemism for the acquisition of cryptographic secrets via burglary, or the covert installation of keystroke logging or trojan horse software/hardware on target computers or ancillary devices. Black-bag cryptanalysis is in contrast to a mathematical or technical cryptanalytic attack. The term refers to the black bag of equipment that a burglar would or a Black Bag Operation.
As with rubber-hose cryptanalysis, this is technically not a form of cryptanalysis; the term is used sardonically. Given the free availability of very high strength cypher systems, this type of attack is a much more serious threat to most users than mathematical attacks.
[edit] Popular culture
'Black bag cryptanalysis' is the underlying theme of the Splinter Cell series of computer games.
