GSM code cracked by Israeli boffins

NEWS Two Israeli researchers claim to have cracked the GSM (Global Systeme Mobile) A5/1 encryption code, using just a PC with 128Mb of RAM and two 78Gb hard disks. Details of Alex Biryukov and Adi Shamir's achievement circulated on Internet mailing lists. It's not the first time the encryption standard has been broken though, but despite the lack of independent verification, experts believe it is significant because of the lack of computing power needed by the two researchers. A5/1 is used to encrypt phone conversations to prevent third parties listening in. GSM is the world's most widely used mobile phone technology.