Re: Many years ago ...
when used properly, one-time pads are impossible to break.
using high-level crypto for EVERYTHING is very, very stupid - especially for low-grade dreck like a laundry list because stuff like that makes known plaintext attacks easier. it also increases the probability of a fuck-up with key management and bad/sloppy crypto practices like sending the same message with different keys or algorithms. more messages - more mistakes.
needlessly increasing the volume of cyphertext is asking for trouble. it provides more opportunities for traffic analysis and known plaintext attacks. that's made much worse because it'll be far more likely the cypher clerks get lazy or complacent and do something which exposes the key(s). or they put all the plaintext in the bin - where it can get 'recycled' - instead of making sure the really secret stuff gets separated out and burned.
encrypt your laundry list if you really must but don't use the same crypto as you'd use for the really secret stuff.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
