In a message dated 27 Jun 96  00:06:53, Phil Pattengale wrote:
-> If you are talking about PGP, I believe a 1024 bit encryption key
-> WAS broken by a student using 12-14 SPARC workstations - took 10-14
-> days but it was broken.
 PP> High Rich!  I think you're remembering a key being broken, but as far
 PP> as
 PP> I know, it was about 128 bits, not 1024.  Remember, there are 2^1024
 PP> possible combinations.  My scientific calculator can't tell me what
I'll have to try and find it - I know is was much higher than the "average" 
range the gov't was expecting.
 PP> 2^1024 is, since the number is that huge.  A 1024 bit key should be
 PP> rather secure unless the Gov't really wants it bad, and throws
 PP> several CRAY's at it .
I do remember my old probability and statistics courses - and that number is 
HUGE granted - however computer power today is rather huge. Today's desktops 
rival or beat old mainframes - and I don't mean just the MANIAC series.
Sheesh - sounds like we're talking about the PAL 9000 series doesn't it? Well 
it certainly beats the computing poower of today's Amiga's!
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