CDR: Re: Cost to "break" 1024-bit PGP (RSA) in 1997?

[jim bell]

----- Original Message -----
From: Anonymous <nobody at remailer.ch>
To: jim bell <jimdbell at home.com>
Cc: Cypherpunks <cypherpunks at cyberpass.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2000 21:09 PM
Subject: Re: Cost to "break" 1024-bit PGP (RSA) in 1997?


> "jim bell" <jimdbell at home.com> wrote:
>
> > I need an estimate of the cost to break a 1024-bit PGP key in 1997,
given
> > then-existing algorithms and hardware, etc.
>
> "There are some things that money can't buy."

"For those, there are thumbscrews."


> Would you like an estimate of the cost to break into somebody's house
> and copy the secret key in 1997?

Wouldn't work, at least as stated.  The "secret key" in PGP doesn't contain
the passphrase, which is also necessary.  Besides, "breaking in" would be
illegal, wouldn't it?  Imagine what would (will?) happen when that incident
becomes public?  Because it will.

Jim Bell