Monday, June 25, 2007

RSA

What is RSA?



RSA is an encryption algorithm. It is widely used for encrypting important messages or digitally signing documents for e-commerce, and is included as part of the Web browsers by Netscape and Microsoft.



Who developed RSA?

The encryption algorithm was developed by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir and Len Adleman (R, S and A) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977.



How does it work?

RSA encrypts on the principle of a private key and a public key. Users who wish to encrypt data first encrypt the message using a private key. This encrypted message can only be decrypted using a public key, which has already been distributed to the recipients of the message. The primary advantage of RSA comes from the fact that, while it is relatively easy to multiply two huge prime numbers together to obtain their product, it is computationally difficult to do the reverse.



Where does RSA stand today?

RSA is still the most widely used encryption algorithm. However, while other standards such as DES are faster to decrypt, RSA remains an industry favourite for encrypting data, with many believing that its 2048-bit key encryption is virtually unbreakable.



Why use an encryption algorithm at all?

With so much electronic data interchange (EDI) taking place in the form of e-commerce, it’s essential to secure critical data. Several privacy laws make it mandatory that personal information of customers and its integrity is not compromised.

When will RSA be cracked?

Although RSA securities claim that the 2048-bit key encryption cannot be cracked, they offer bounties of up to $200,000 (Rs 87 lakh) to anyone who can crack their algorithm.



t the 2048-bit key

encryption cannot be cracked,

they offer bounties of up to

$200,000 (Rs 87 lakh) to

anyone who can crack

their algorithm.

No comments: