| Sysop: | Amessyroom |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fayetteville, NC |
| Users: | 23 |
| Nodes: | 6 (0 / 6) |
| Uptime: | 52:14:45 |
| Calls: | 583 |
| Files: | 1,139 |
| D/L today: |
90 files (3,325K bytes) |
| Messages: | 111,533 |
Meshtastic is in its early days but looks promising and completely
off grid. Naomi will also be making a video about meshtastic soon.
Meshtastic is in its early days but looks promising and completely
off grid. Naomi will also be making a video about meshtastic soon.
five years late to the party?
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY6m6fS8bxU>
The guy* has basically retired his youtube channeln now
[*] with the swiss accent.
... >https://meshtastic.org/blog/introducing-new-public-key-cryptography-in-v2_5/ >Meshtastic Encryption: Evolving from Simple Messaging to a Versatile Solution >September 12, 2024 + 5 min read[end quoted plain text]
Introducing Public Key Cryptography (PKC) to Meshtastic
In 2022, a user named edinnen proposed a solution with a pull request that >introduced a public/private key scheme for DMs. Although the initial feedback was
promising, the patch became outdated as time passed. Recently, everything >aligned, and we revisited and reworked this patch, making it the foundation of >Meshtastic's version 2.5 development.
Our new PKC implementation is now a core feature, providing each node with a >unique public key generated at first boot. This key enables secure, encrypted >connections between nodes and serves as a unique identifier within the mesh. It
also solves the remote administration challengeunodes can now be identified and
authorized as remote administrators through their public keys.
A Major Step Forward in Security
With this new PKC scheme, Meshtastic offers enhanced encryption for DMs and >secure remote administration for difficult-to-reach nodes. While we still caution
against relying solely on Meshtastic encryption for life-or-death situations, >this update marks a significant advancement in privacy and security for the mesh
network.
Technical Deep Dive: The Mechanics of Meshtastic's New Encryption
At the heart of Meshtastic's new encryption system lies the X25519 elliptic >curve Diffie-Hellman key exchange. This process unfolds in two key steps:
Key Generation: Upon first boot, each device generates a random private key
and derives a corresponding public key using the X25519 algorithm. This public >key is then broadcast to the mesh as part of the node's regular announcements.
Secure Communication: When a node initiates a Direct Message (DM), it
completes the X25519 key exchange by combining its private key with the >recipient's public key. This process generates a unique shared secret, which is
then used to encrypt the DM. The receiving node can independently derive the same
shared secret using its private key and the sender's public key, enabling secure
decryption.
Meshtastic's X25519 Key Exchange Process Figure 1: Visual representation
of Meshtastic's X25519 key exchange process
The encryption scheme employs AES-CCM (Counter with CBC-MAC), which provides >both confidentiality and authenticity. A notable feature is the inclusion of a >short Message Authentication Code, verifying the sender's identity and ensuring
message integrity. To further enhance security, DM messages incorporate an >additional 4 bytes of random nonce, effectively preventing potential compromises
due to nonce reuse.
Remote administration has also seen significant improvements. Administration >messages now include an 8-byte session key, set by the node being administered.
This key is included in responses and must be present in any packet attempting to
make changes. With a 300-second timeout, this mechanism provides robust >protection against replay attacks of captured administration traffic. >Conclusion
Meshtastic's journey from a simple hiking communication tool to a versatile, >secure mesh networking solution showcases the power of community-driven >development. The introduction of our new Public Key Cryptography scheme in >version 2.5 represents a significant advancement in the platform's security >capabilities, addressing long-standing challenges in direct messaging and remote
administration.
As we continue to refine and expand Meshtastic's features, we remain committed >to balancing robust security with practical usability. While this update >significantly enhances the platform's privacy and security, we encourage users to
approach encryption with a clear understanding of its strengths and limitations,
especially in critical scenarios.
Looking ahead, we're excited about the possibilities this new encryption >framework opens up. We invite our community to explore these new features, >provide feedback, and continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible with >Meshtastic. Together, we're building a more secure and connected future for off-
grid communication.
Search Assist[end quoted "search assist"]
Survival odds in the wilderness depend on various factors, including an >individual's skills, mental attitude, and available resources. Generally, those
with survival training and a positive mindset have better chances of enduring >challenging situations compared to unprepared individuals. >desertislandsurvival.com HowStuffWorks
Factors Influencing Wilderness Survival Odds
Psychological Factors
Mental Attitude: A positive mental attitude (PMA) is crucial. It helps manage
stress and enhances decision-making capabilities.
Stress Response: Moderate stress can boost performance, but excessive stress
may lead to panic and poor decisions. Managing stress is essential for survival.
Skills and Knowledge
Survival Skills: Knowledge of essential skills like building shelters,
starting fires, and finding food significantly impacts survival chances. Many
people overestimate their abilities in these areas.
Preparation: Carrying a survival kit with tools like a knife, fire-starting
equipment, and a water vessel can improve survival odds.
Environmental Factors
Water Availability: A person can survive only a few days without water. Access
to clean water is critical for survival.
Weather Conditions: Extreme weather can pose significant risks. Understanding
how to cope with cold, heat, and rain is vital.
Statistics on Survival Situations
Factor Impact on Survival Odds
Average Survival Time Most people believe they can survive 16 days, but many >lack essential skills.
Search and Rescue Statistics Approximately 50,000 search and rescue missions >occur annually in the U.S.
Common Reasons for Getting Lost - Lost trail (16.9%)- Failure to communicate
plan (11.7%)- Darkness (7.0%)
Understanding these factors can help improve your chances of survival in the >wilderness.
HowStuffWorks desertislandsurvival.com