Malicious Cryptography
Exposing Cryptovirology
Chapter One
Tools for Security and
Insecurity
Cryptosystems and cryptographic protocols rely on various tools to be
implemented properly. Perhaps the most basic tool is a random bit generator.
Random bit generators are used to randomly generate symmetric
keys, private keys, padding, and so on in cryptography. They form the
cornerstone of algorithms designed to protect computer systems and the
cornerstone of algorithms that are designed to subvert computer systems.
A poor random number generator could lead to a weak or otherwise guessable
private key. A poor random number generator could lead to a guessable
symmetric key and thereby diminish the effectiveness of a cryptovirus
attack.
The survey books on cryptography that appeared in the 1990s gave
the impression that crypto is a panacea for the Internet and its needs.
However, experience has shown that this is far from the case [260]. For
example, symmetric ciphers were analyzed in detail and prop ... read full excerpt from Malicious Cryptography: Exposing Cryptovirology ebook
