ZIMMERMANN Phil

Dear heart, the attributes of childhood: the invention of mysterious ciphers, . development of secret plans and meticulous plotting the confusion of finding the next treasure (in the box of candy - a pair of colorful glass beads, . coin ten pfennig and a rusty penknife),
. It was my treasure, hide-perepryatanny already dozens of times. I was ten years old, and I honestly thought that I knew about all the spyware tricks almost as much as he knew himself, Mr. Holmes, and in any case, no less Shtirlitsa. I was preparing myself to the scouts, which is quite openly stated to friends, but carefully concealed from the parents. About Computers I, too, something had to find out (mainly on "Monday" Strugackih, . however, . the "fairy tale for research assistants, he was designated, . as "electronic machine Aldan") and without a moment's doubt, . what they will create the ground for a revolutionary advance espionage thoughts.,
. Dear heart, the attributes of childhood: the invention of mysterious ciphers, . development of secret plans and meticulous plotting the confusion of finding the next treasure (in the box of candy - a pair of colorful glass beads, . coin ten pfennig and a rusty penknife),
. It was my treasure, hide-perepryatanny already dozens of times. I was ten years old, and I honestly thought that I knew about all the spyware tricks almost as much as he knew himself, Mr. Holmes, and in any case, no less Shtirlitsa. I was preparing myself to the scouts, which is quite openly stated to friends, but carefully concealed from the parents. About Computers I, too, something had to find out (mainly on "Monday" Strugackih, . however, . the "fairy tale for research assistants, he was designated, . as "electronic machine Aldan") and without a moment's doubt, . what they will create the ground for a revolutionary advance espionage thoughts.,
. About the same time a young man named Phil Zimmermann (in the student ticket - Philip Zimmermann) joined the Faculty of Computer Science University of Florida (Florida Atlantic University)
. Like many contemporaries, he made a bet on the exact sciences, like many compatriots, then participated in the antiwar movement. Pro computers then he not only heard but also seen and even touched the hands (that is, I would have such rights in those years ranked caste specially elected). However, if this had any positive experiences of the average American high school student. Nearsighted introvert not extremely noticeable in the alma mater. Even then, the style of his behavior was "open-closed, transformed years later, not only in the credo, but in the motto has become, under his banner command. Phil has never been a man of parties, that did not prevent him to be the soul of your company. World fame came later and was rather the consequence than the aim.
. Alas, the glory years, gave "five interviews a week," Mr. Zimmermann so not once or blabbed about his family, nor about his childhood, he was responsible only for matters related to his professional activities
. My humble attempt to fish from the meager biographical facts not crowned with success. However, notice how people who are familiar with Phil, it is rather a consequence of inability to regularly respond to e-mail plus puzzled over this "personal" interest, rather than the notorious "secret". Zimmermann - so common surname, that workaround (an attempt to identify relatives) failed. One can only say those Zimmermann, about which I had to read or be familiar person, distinguished by a remarkable intelligence and love for cryptography. Among them are worth mentioning more than half a century ago the deceased in the oblivion of former Foreign Minister of Great Kaiser, . Arthur Zimmermann (such is the straight reading of the names of the hero), . distinguished himself famous "document Zimmermann - coded telegram demanding that the Mexican government to immediately enter the war against the U.S., . in order to prevent the Americans on the European battlefields,
. However, the glory was sad. British intelligence is not only managed to intercept a message, and decrypt it. The document was published, and five weeks later, America entered the war. Zimmermann did not put a bullet in the forehead. The life he loved no less cryptography. Also, once I had the opportunity personally to touch the family tree Zimmermann. Among the group of French students, . I pulled into environmental expedition on Lake Ladoga, . were charming twins, . Lucy and Rosa Zimmermann, . on the second day declared, . that they lack the "intellectual capacity", . and my friend Lyovka Bragin had to cram them both abstruse and juicy puzzles of life of Soviet physics and mathematics student,
. The girls loved to share with each other encrypted information, and hid their notes away, naively believing that we read in French (in our ability to defeat them tricky code they did not doubt for a minute). Here it is, the notorious European infantilism. Or, perhaps, a family sklonnostN It is hoped that such a sophisticated style of communication was due to the secret love of the girls in their "Slavic" rounds and difficulties with the distribution of powers.
But to return soon to our hero. In the seventies, Phil studied subjects related to computer security, and (as you probably already guessed) cryptography. In the 78 th he received a "free" coupled with a bachelor's degree and a critical mass of knowledge needed for a prospective graduate of the prestigious University. Independent life, independent consultant, Philip Zimmermann began with the acquisition of "craft". His first personal computer was the Apple II with serial number 2000 or something like that. It is worth noting that over the years, Phil has put on weight, but remained loyal to Apple computers. However, he explains his monogamy is not the traditional "more reliable" Mac-s, but only less attractive to hackers for. In this thesis it is impossible not to agree. Although it seemed to me that the high priest of cryptography would have to seek to cause the fire to himself. But Phil Zimmermann is tired of fighting, though she brought him worldwide fame.
History of Philip Zimmermann began in 1991, the. By this time he was already a recognized expert in the field of computer cryptography and, . almost single-handedly, . been developing a commercial package PGP, . designed to ensure the privacy of e-mail client, and bring some money to the creator,
. The intrigue was that the author of the program intended to raise the level of protection of private information to a level which until then could afford only the government, the general staff, the Secret Service and major financial institutions. Meanwhile, the Bush administration intended to push through Congress a law (numbered 226), limiting the right of citizens to use persistent cryptographic algorithms. Classic case of conflict of interest. Zimmermann clearly given to understand that playing by the rules no one is going, and the weak must give way to strong. Much the same thing happened with the writers-dissidents in the Soviet Union. Man has created a work ugrohav for this occupation for several years. An official from the literature reviewed the text and said with regret that "no opportunity for the publication" he does not see. Frustrated writer (after a sleepless night) gave the manuscript to a friend diplomat, and publish abroad. Further, the exclusion of the "union shop", disqualification and, often, wire fenced area. But Phil was living in another country in another time. Feeling that the pressure became unbearable, he just published the PGP program in the international Internet, de facto, thereby providing the right to privacy for grabs. In the hypothetical earnings had to be spit on, the principles were more. Zimmermann has written a good program, and the masses adopt it. Yes there are Congress rolled 226 th Bill. The authorities have reacted in the best democratic traditions: Phil was indicted in the illegal export of arms ". In the role of the Fair prosecutor made the notorious U.S. Customs Service.
Zimmermann had to defend. It is absolutely not attracted by the prospect of imprisonment. In such situations, there is only one way: at every street corner shouting about his own innocence, and told reporters about the colors in the bad guys from the federal. Noise made by Phil, was repeatedly multiplied freedom-virtual community. In the early nineties, the name of the creator of PGP on the network conferences sounded almost as often as today is the name of Kevin Mitnick. Not only the Russian people are suffering love for the martyrs. However, Zimmermann did not consider himself so much a martyr. He took heart, and actively work to improve his creation. He would never have managed to complete the existing (too much time was taken up by walking on the courts and public speaking before writing fraternity), though not a crowd of programmers-wishers. Many attacks on Mr. Phil Zimmermann was seen as a personal insult.
In 93-th American people brought to power of Bill Clinton. The new president went further than his predecessor. He wanted to take "under state protection, privacy loyal citizens. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency initiated the so-called project "Clipper" (Clipper). Offers a single, at the level plug, data encryption standard, "just in case" leaves "tab key" for government security. Zimmermann comparing this initiative with the statute on the need for greater security every time to hang the toilet with a microphone on the lapel pins (in English, clipper - clothespin). There were also more colorful expressions. But while Phil pokolachival his bureaucratic opponents in the rhetoric on the open runways, a new problem. Colleagues cryptography workshop (conceived a dislike to the author of PGP, probably because of all the growing popularity of the latter) Zimmermann accused of illegal commercial use of its patents. Their logic was understandable, very few people can imagine "the export of arms" on the basis of altruistic (Captain Nemo - do not count). Campaign for Phil charges of plagiarism led twice president Amц?ricas kriptokartelya "Mr. Jim Bidzos (Jim Bidzos). In those years, he obeyed RSA Data Security, and Public Key Partners (PKP). With a restrained sadness I note that "kriptokartel" broke up in 1995. And that was the reason it exceeded all reasonable standards the concentration of exclusive rights in the hands of the "limited group of friends". Comparison with the spiders in the bank consider abusive, therefore omitted.
Long or short it, but, realizing the futility of litigation with the "heroic Phil" in 1996, state governments stopped the investigation by failing to bring the offender of the customs laws, no charges. By the time the globe has already walked the 4th version of the package PGP, much prettier thanks to the collective efforts of the joint team Zimmermann. As soon as the "fearless leader" has ceased to smile at the prospect of imprisonment, the firm Pretty Good Privacy, Inc., Was registered officially. Among the founders were heard as the names of Dan Lynch (Dan Lynch) and Jonathan Seybold (Jonathan Seybold). Lynch, perhaps, the reader is also known as the founder of Cybercash. It is impossible not to mention Ebelsona Hal (Hal Abelson), and Hal Finney (Hal Finney) and Colin Plama (Colin Plumb), they were "the backbone of production" PGP. Soon the new team introduced to the market a commercial version of PGP for corporate clients. His million it brought. But Phil has been a much more ambitious plans. The process of the conquest of the market went in full swing. PGP acquired company growing in the field of cryptography as mushrooms. Lemcom, ViaCrypt, and PrivNet organically joined the team PGP. Has been released 5-th version. Cash flow increased significantly. Phil's team no longer felt matrosney barefoot on the weakened boots, they ruled the flagship "kriptoflota". Then Zimmermann first felt immense fatigue from the daily survey very broad financial horizons. He wanted to be closer to the kitchen. In order to address marketing issues, was invited a man of business, but an outsider (from a very reputable firm, accustomed to multi-million spent). His work (and prayers) for less than a year were spent on marketing all the operating assets of the company. And in December 1997, losing buoyancy "ship" PGP was acquired by the shipbuilding "by Network Associates, Inc. (NAI). The new owners have fed command and brought order to the Web site PGP (although no enthusiasm, no imagination in this world I do not see). In Phil, for the first time in the past six years, appeared "free time". A fighter for human rights to privacy "went to the people". Being well-endowed he graciously accepts the flow of a variety of prizes and awards, which does not spoil his character. Much rides on light, very happy to meet with computer-audience, meticulously following the preservation of the integrity of products under the brand PGP. It does not look quite retired, although in one interview and said that is engaged in beekeeping. The interviewer did not really believe slyly smiling Zimmermann. But since about the cryptographic wizards do not know for sure, we assume that the form of a bee swarm in our hero wakes up vague associations with the ubiquitous crypto.