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Brute-forcing IDEA takes about as much computation as factoring something between a 1200 and 3000 bit RSA key (I've heard both numbers, but I don't know the numbers). So, in the current implementation, RSA is the weak link!

Yes, I think that the turnaround point is right around 1600 bits, at which IDEA is "easier" than RSA. Assuming of course brute force is the fastest way to break IDEA; the fastest (known|published) factoring method runs in time proportional to the formula I typed out, etc. Karl Barrus klbarrus@owlnet.rice.edu -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.3a iQCVAgUBLU7l2IOA7OpLWtYzAQE7fwP6A6ENOTE7dUl0gbqEk17NRLPnExCHa2za HEt3LTfbn/0gpTfrwnKUTCKP3TAvnVJJ/cDFxRR1RkaTyHxA0RvQR/b8SosFK2Uc HEY5I5AqNVUKE9TceDXcBnYmmMbZAIMpdMMTknrn3Eyo1kcfLGTfOInH0wM35Rdl /o/sPMmc23s= =S2+w -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----