Reversing UK mobile rail tickets (eta.st)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's attempt to reverse-engineer UK mobile rail tickets, which use a custom standard called RSP-6. The author discovers that the tickets are signed with RSA and PKCS#1, and that the public keys are not publicly available. However, the author is able to obtain some of the public keys from an APK file and a website, and uses them to decode a ticket. The article also mentions the use of mobile tickets in the UK and the potential benefits and drawbacks of this system.

Main themes

• mobile tickets
• paper tickets
• convenience
• usability
• security
• accessibility

What commenters say

• Mobile tickets are more convenient than paper tickets, but can be frustrating to use when the app is slow or unresponsive.
• The use of mobile tickets discriminates against people who do not have a smartphone or access to a computer.
• Paper tickets are still a viable option and have their own advantages, such as not requiring a device or internet connection.
• The usability of mobile tickets can be improved with better design and user experience.
• Some people prefer the convenience of mobile tickets, while others prefer the tangibility of paper tickets.
• The reliance on mobile tickets can be a problem for people who do not have a reliable device or internet connection.
• Mobile tickets can be more secure than paper tickets, as they are more difficult to lose or forge.