LXer: EPFL researchers crack unassailable encryption algorithm in two hours

LXer · 05-23-2014, 03:01 AM

Published at LXer:

A protocol based on "discrete logarithms", deemed as one of the candidates for the Internet’s future security systems, was decrypted by EPFL researchers. Allegedly tamper-proof, it could only stand up to the school machines’ decryption attempts for two hours.

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metaschima · 05-23-2014, 10:41 AM

This is a very real problem with cryptography. If you find a shortcut all those estimates of the sun will burn out before you crack it will turn into you crack it in 2 hours. This is just one type of discrete logarithm, but others could be next.

The scammers at bitcoin better watch out, because one clever cryptographer or mathematician could ruin your ponzi scheme and clean you out at the same time.

P.S. For those who recommend quantum cryptography, I would wait until such a thing clearly exists and is thoroughly tested.