Geneticware of the British Virgin Islands has devised an intriguing new way
to keep Internet messages secret (GB 2358333). All encryption systems rely on
keys to decode a scrambled message. But hackers can still steal the key while it
is being sent to someone. The new idea is to send an encrypted test message from
computer A to computer B, along with a program that computer B uses to generate
many possible decoding keys. Computer B keeps generating keys, and sending back
the results to computer A, until computer A sees that the test message has been
decoded. It will then send back a message saying 鈥渦se that key鈥. So both
computers use the correct key, without communicating it. The weak point? Someone
else may get hold of the key generator program.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Technology
We should decide how AI shapes the future, not tech firms
Comment
Technology
Quantum voting could make elections more secure
News
Technology
DeepMind AI gives an extra day of warning ahead of deadly cyclones
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles