🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <tom.712397505@cluster> tom@stallion.oz.au (Thomas Essebier) writes:
>By far not being an expert on cryptology, I would appreciate some 
>comments on the crypto scheme below. 

Linear congruential generator based schemes are very easy to break;
I've even heard Phil Zimmerman tell of encountering an intro crypto
class where breaking them was a homework assignment in the first week.
Everyone thinks them up at one time or another. One technique that
DOES work is a scheme similar to yours based on using
cryptographically strong RNGs, like ones the breaking of which is
equivalent to factoring large numbers. However, I should point out
that no one uses these techniques in practice for the same reason that
people only exchange keys using RSA and use conventional cyphers for
the real work -- too much computation time.

>Where does it stand in terms of security when compared to transposition 
>cyphers, DES etc.

DES is very hard to break. Transposition cyphers, well, that depends
on which one we are talking about.

>If anybody could point me to some literature that explains why the above
>is (un?)reasonably (in?)secure I would be most grateful. Please note that
>I make no claim to have carefully studied and researched this topic. 
>I was hoping to avoid all that :-)

I would suggest that you read some intro to cryptography texts; it
would likely be quite rewarding; the topic is common enough.

--
Perry Metzger		pmetzger@shearson.com
--
		  Just say "NO!" to death and taxes.
			 Extropian and Proud.