1,721,005 research outputs found
Integer Arithmetic without Arithmetic Addition
Revisiting long established conventions has proven very fertile in many a case. Let’s then revisit the premise that arithmetic must be constructed with the arithmetic addition as its foundation. Here we explore an arithmetic realm over integers without invoking the quintessential operation of addition. We propose an arithmetic constructed over a fundamental mapping of one set of integers into another. We start and focus here on mapping an arbitrary number of integers to a single integer, and further limit our investigation to a mapping procedure that views the input integers as a set of conflicting answers to a binary question, and attempt to figure out the single integer that best reflects the combined “wisdom” of the input answers. Thereby we construct the proposed arithmetic as ground tool for discriminant analysis. On the other end, the many-to-one mapping suggests this arithmetic as a fundamental hashing function, and the complexity of data loss suggests a new primitive for asymmetric cryptography. This arithmetic evolved from practical algorithms used by the author in his engineering practice, where the original name was BiPSA: Binary Polling Scenario Analysis. For continuity purposes we carry on the name. This article focuses on the skeleton arithmetic. Applications and substantiation will follow
Essential Shannon Security with Keys Smaller than the Encrypted Message
To a cryptographer the claim that “Shannon Security was achieved with keys smaller than the encrypted message " appears unworthy of attention, much as the claim of “perpetuum mobile ” is to a physicist. Albeit, from an engineering point of view solar cells which power satellites exhibit an “essential perpetuum mobile ” and are of great interest. Similarly for Shannon Security, as it is explored in this article. We discuss encryption schemes designed to confound a diligent cryptanalyst who works his way from a captured ciphertext to a disappointing endpoint where more than one otherwise plausible plaintexts are found to be associated with keys that encrypt them to that ciphertext. Unlike some previous researchers who explored this equivocation as a special case of existing schemes, this approach is aimed at devising a symmetric encryption for that purpose per se
Cryptographic Key Exchange: An Innovation Outlook
This article evaluates the innovation landscape facing the challenge of generating fresh shared randomness for cryptographic key exchange and various cyber security protocols. It discusses the main innovation thrust today, focused on quantum entanglement and on efficient engineering solutions to BB84, and its related alternatives. This innovation outlook highlights non-quantum solutions, and describes NEPSAR – a mechanical complexity based solution, which is applicable to any number of key sharing parties. Short-lived secret keys are also mentioned, as well as emerging innovation routes based on Richard Feynman’s observation: “there is plenty of room at the bottom,” extracting plenty of digital randomness from tiny amounts of matter, yielding very many measurable attributes (nanotechnology)
Transmitting Secrets by Transmitting only Plaintext
Presenting a novel use of encryption, not for hiding a secret, but for marking letters. Given a 2n letters plaintext, the transmitter encrypts the first n letters with key K1 to generate corresponding n cipherletters, and encrypts the second n letters with key K2 to generate n corresponding cipherletters. The transmitter sends the 2n cipherletters along with the keys, K1 and K2 The recipient (and any interceptor) will readily decrypt the 2n cipherletters to the original plaintext. This makes the above procedure equivalent to sending out the plaintext. So why bother? When decrypting the 2n cipherletters one will make a note of how the letters that were encrypted with K1 are mixed with the letters encrypted with K2 while keeping the original order of the letters encrypted with each key. There are 2^n possible mixings. Which means that the choice of mixing order can deliver a secret message, S, comprising n bits. So while on the surface a given plaintext is sent out from transmitter to recipient, this plaintext hides a secret. Imagine a text messaging platform that uses this protocol. An adversary will not know which plain innocent message harbors a secret message. This allows residents of cyberspace to communicate secrets without exposing the fact that they communicated a secret. Expect a big impact on the level of cyberspace privacy
When Encryption is Not Enough -- Effective Concealment of Communication Pattern, even Existence (BitGrey, BitLoop)
How much we say, to whom, and when, is inherently telling, even if the contents of our communication is unclear. In other words: encryption is not enough; neither to secure privacy, nor to maintain confidentiality. Years ago Adi Shamir already predicted that encryption will be bypassed. And it has. The modern dweller of cyber space is routinely violated via her data behavior. Also, often an adversary has the power to compel release of cryptographic keys over well-exposed communication. The front has shifted, and now technology must build cryptographic shields beyond content, and into pattern, even as to existence of communication. We present here tools, solutions, methods to that end. They are based on equivocation. If a message is received by many recipients, it hides the intended one. If a protocol calls for decoy messages, then it protects the identity of the sender of the contents-laden message. BitGrey is a protocol that creates a grey hole (of various shades) around the communicating community, so that very little information leaks out. In addition the BitLoop protocol constructs a fixed rate circulating bit flow, traversing through all members of a group. The looping bits appear random, and effectively hide the pattern, even the existence of communication within the group
Finger Printing Data
By representing data in a unary way, the identity of the bits can be used as a printing pad to stain the data with the identity of its handlers. Passing data will identify its custodians, its pathway, and its bona fide. This technique will allow databases to recover from a massive breach as the thieves will be caught when trying to use this \u27sticky data\u27. Heavily traveled data on networks will accumulate the \u27fingerprints\u27 of its holders, to allow for a forensic analysis of fraud attempts, or data abuse. Special applications for the financial industry, and for intellectual property management. Fingerprinting data may be used for new ways to balance between privacy concerns and public statistical interests. This technique might restore the identification power of the US Social Security Number, despite the fact that millions of them have been compromised. Another specific application regards credit card fraud. Once the credit card numbers are \u27sticky\u27 they are safe. The most prolific application though, may be in conjunction with digital money technology. The BitMint protocol, for example, establishes its superior security on \u27sticky digital coins\u27. Advanced fingerprinting applications require high quality randomization. The price paid for the fingerprinting advantage is a larger data footprint -- more bits per content. Impacting both storage and transmission. This price is reasonable relative to the gained benefit
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