A case for 2560 bit keys

[David F. Ogren]

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To: cypherpunks at toad.com
Date: Sat Jul 13 12:51:36 1996
> On Thu, 11 Jul 1996, Chris Adams wrote:
> 
> > check your setup. I used to run a 386-20 (5MB RAM) and it took about
>  3
> > seconds for a 1024 bit key. Given it didn't even have a copro (not
>  sure
> > when/if PGP uses one) and that it was off of a Stackered drive, I'd
> > expect you to have much better times.
> 
> That's consistent with the timings I've been getting.  It should take
>  about
> 9 seconds to decrypt an arbitrary message with a 2048-bit key with the
>  setup
> you describe.  Of course, I usually use X, so that probably does throw
>  off
> the timings a bit.
> 

This is an issue that is connected with the "Need PGP awareness" thread.  
If everyone is decrypting their messages by hand then nine seconds is a 
hinderance.  On the other hand, if everyone is using an off-line reader 
that checks signatures/decrypts as it receives messages then nine seconds 
(or less for a newer machine) is less significant.

I'll refrain from making any product plugs here, but I could barely notice 
the difference moving from a 1024 bit key to a 2047 bit key.

- --
David F. Ogren                |
ogren at concentric.net          | "A man without religion is like a fish
PGP Key ID: 0x6458EB29        |  without a bicycle"
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