Here is a simple problem. Late one night, Bob discovers a clever new method of factoring large products of distinct odd primes. Bob may now perform such factorizations in only a few hours for numbers up to 1024 bits on his trusty old 486. Bob spent a lot of time coding and testing his new algorithm, and wishes to recover some of his expenses by factoring a few RSA keys for well-to-do clients. Bob wants to do this without disclosing his identity, so a certain evil three-letter agency will not cover him with rubber hose marks trying to learn how his algorithm works. Alice is the CEO of a company who suspects PGP-encrypted mail is being used by an employee to transfer trade secrets to a foreign competitor. Alice would pay any amount of money to read this mail and confirm her suspicions. Alice is a potential client for Bob. Now for the hard part... How does Bob make Alice, and other potential clients, aware of the service he wishes to offer? How do Bob and Alice conduct business anonymously while making absolutely sure that neither is spoofing the other? Alice needs to know Bob isn't lying about being able to factor. Bob needs to know Alice has the means to pay him before he cracks a key. Bob and Alice need to exchange a factored key for money with no chance that either will back out at the last moment and try to steal from the other. How much work should Bob expect to come his way if he charges $10 a bit for his factoring service? $100 a bit? $1000 a bit? Comments anyone? -- Mike Duvos $ PGP 2.6 Public Key available $ mpd@netcom.com $ via Finger. $