This page (like others in the Useless Trivia space) exist to provide analysis and review of computer security in films. Reviews of usernames and passwords used in these films will be mentioned as they can be found and identified.

U-571 / U571: War, Submarine, Countermeasures to Cryptographic systems.

Movie starts with statement of History to set the importance of the radio code system (Enigma):

Movie references to Enigma (no verification for correctness with respect to History.)

• According to director's commentary on DVD, the Enigma Code Machine that we see being used to send the Captain's initial message for location, was a genuine Enigma Code Machine.
• I was not able to make out any of the symbols set on the Enigma machine's "wheels" before we see the first keystroke or after keys are pressed.
• You can see the far right wheel move twice while coded messages are being entered.
• There is a shot of an Enigma coding machine being used. I slowed down the DVD to record the keys that were pressed and the letters that lit up for each keypress. (Format: "Key Pressed" [Letter that lit up])
  G [T], J [P], D [R], U [K]
• Though the Enigma coding machine user did hover over "N" (and other keys) he did not press them down.
• The keyboard looks like it is a QWERTY-style keyboard, but it is not:

     Q W E R T Z U I O
      A S D F G H J K
     P Y X C V B N M L
  

• DVD Director's commentary: 1941, 1942 (British seized Enigma Machines from German U-Boats), 1944 (American's seized an Enigma coding machine from a German U-boat.)
• End of story Summary:
  • May 9, 1941: Enigma maching and coding documents captured from U-110 b HMS Bulldog and HMS Aubretia of the 3rd Escort Group.
  • October 30, 1942: Short weather cipher captured from U-559 by HMS Pertard.
  • June 4, 1944: Enigma machine and coding documents captured from U-505 by U.S. Navy Task Force 22.3

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Useless Trivia: Movie reviews with respect to computer security.