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philipwhiukyesterday at 3:47 PM3 repliesview on HN

> Because laser beams spread far less than radio waves, they provide more secure links

Basing your security on laser diffusion seems sus.


Replies

Tepixyesterday at 4:08 PM

These beams are much harder to detect and eavesdrop upon. You increase the difficulty for a remote attacker. I wouldn't stop encrypting the data, however: The Alphasat TDP‑1 has a telescope with an 135mm aperture. The beam diameter is likely to be at least 700m wide according to the diffraction limit.

Schlagbohreryesterday at 3:51 PM

It's worth it as another layer of security. The beam width being so narrow means even intercepting it becomes harder. This is more relevant for down-to-earth links where the spot hitting the earth is so narrow it could be confined withing a geographically controlled area, rather than hitting an entire continent like longer wavelengths do.

kube-systemyesterday at 6:48 PM

All security is based on a combination of individually flimsy ideas