What computer hardware is illegal to own?

**sammypetter** · 02-17-2010, 06:36 AM

I just barely learned from a computer wiz from my oop class that the government prevents sale of certain hardware that is impossible for them to decode. Anyone here a computer wiz at this as well?

**arild** · 02-17-2010, 08:46 AM

USB flash drives.

**Viva** · 02-17-2010, 09:37 AM

5 1/4 inch floppy drives and 8 inch Winchester hard drives. That's why you don't see these anymore.

**Snow Dog** · 02-17-2010, 12:33 PM

There's export restrictions on all sorts of stuff even though most of it is designed and built elsewhere. Furbys used to be restricted because they had a voice recognition chip:

It's just your government protecting the World.

**RShea** · 02-17-2010, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Viva

5 1/4 inch floppy drives. That's why you don't see these anymore.

Who enforces this law, hope they do not search my storage area as I have a few of the 5.25 inch drives and disks both with some old info on them obviously.

And to the OP there are restrictions on exporting some stuff- like encryption software to some nations, but I am not aware of any restrictions for high end encryption software or hardware based encryption here in the USA. Unless the Patriot Act or something similar added to reduce privacy. If the FBI and CIA want to get stuff decrypted then they can get access to some of the codes. Could be but the only products I see with being in the computer business for a number of years are limits on sending stuff to communist nations and the like with 256 bit and higher encryption build in.

I am not an expert on the legal side of things though- enough lawyers on here that can chime in with any legal argument that may be more enlightening on things the Patriot Act and the like cover.

**beck** · 02-17-2010, 04:35 PM

I am not aware of any technology domestically prohibited. There are definitely commercial quantum encryption products that are unbreakable unless you steal the originating or receiving device. Man in the middle attacks destroy the original data and thus compromise the system. You can purchase these yourself if you have the $$$.

http://magiqtech.com/

**counterfeitfake** · 02-17-2010, 07:19 PM

Maybe you are thinking of assault rifles?

**race_ski** · 02-17-2010, 07:44 PM

There was a case a while back about this guy who gets stopped at an airport, known child pedophile. Try to search his computer for "pictures" but they cant crack the password. He uses his 5th amendment and doesn't tell them what the password is. Gov has to drop the case.
Programs are out there, just gotta know where to look...

**counterfeitfake** · 02-18-2010, 12:29 PM

I'm no lawyer but I'd think they could just subpoena the password.

**jfost** · 02-18-2010, 01:22 PM

they searched for "pictures"??? Good move guys...

**LightRanger** · 02-18-2010, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by counterfeitfake

I'm no lawyer but I'd think they could just subpoena the password.

From who?

If he's the only one who knows the PW and any incriminating evidence is on his HD, he can take the Fifth, no problem. The person/info they'd have to subpoena is him.

**race_ski** · 02-18-2010, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by LightRanger

From who?

If he's the only one who knows the PW and any incriminating evidence is on his HD, he can take the Fifth, no problem. The person/info they'd have to subpoena is him.

They can but because the case was against him he was covered by the 5th

**LightRanger** · 02-18-2010, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by MaxKc

They can but because the case was against him he was covered by the 5th

That's exactly what I just said, although I suppose I wasn't 100% clear.

**Pegleg** · 02-19-2010, 12:38 PM

Whoa, back up here internet lawyers. If the guy was stopped at an airport with no probable cause other than "he's a known pedophile" then he's got a reasonable expectation of privacy in anything that's password protected on his computer and they have no right to demand that he disclose his password. Sounds like a 4th amendment search and seizure issue, not a 5th amendment testimony issue.

(But I don't know anything about this case beyond what's posted here, so there could be other issues - if he was on parole, for instance.)

**counterfeitfake** · 02-19-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by counterfeitfake

I'm no lawyer...

Originally Posted by Pegleg

Whoa, back up here internet lawyers...

(further legal opinions)

isn't this forum great?

**LightRanger** · 02-19-2010, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Pegleg

Whoa, back up here internet lawyers. If the guy was stopped at an airport with no probable cause other than "he's a known pedophile" then he's got a reasonable expectation of privacy in anything that's password protected on his computer and they have no right to demand that he disclose his password. Sounds like a 4th amendment search and seizure issue, not a 5th amendment testimony issue.

(But I don't know anything about this case beyond what's posted here, so there could be other issues - if he was on parole, for instance.)

Heh, I was just going with the facts given by the guy who posted. There was mention that he was a "known" pedophile, so perhaps the LEOs searching him had sufficient information to satisfy the required probable cause. They'd still likely need a warrant.

All speculation though, since the guy who posted gave essentially no info.