---
title: "Lose-able keys are a feature"
date: 2024-09-12T20:30:14-04:00
syndicatedCopies:
    - title: 'The Fediverse'
      url: 'https://pleroma.envs.net/objects/5109b99d-e817-4f79-b9a4-8fe1293e3900'
    - title: 'Bluesky'
      url: 'https://bsky.app/profile/seirdy.one/post/3l3yptx6w4l22'
---
In opsec, [duress ("rubber-hose") attacks are famously hard to address](https://xkcd.com/538/). Cryptographic keys that cannot be lost have poor protections against duress.

Travelers can leave key fobs at home should they be accosted. A victim of a break-in can conveniently "lose" or smash a hardware key, erasing any encrypted data. Yes, I know about cold-boot attacks; I don't recommend at-risk people to leave things decrypted for long durations. I like the idea of spring-loaded key fobs that can't be left plugged in.

People talking about key fob body implants don't usually plan for removing them in seconds with plausible deniability.