SSL vs. The Universe | Cracking an SSL Certificate

[eniveld]

Love the video, but they are leaving out some vital information

Quantum computers will be able to crack 2048-bit SSL certificates this century. Also, the reason we've had 3 major versions of SSL is that earlier versions kept getting cracked, even with 2048-bit SSL. That's because the SSL protocol includes much more to it than the 2048-bit key, and that other stuff is what gets cracked.

It's misleading not to mention these facts.

[AtheismandSkepticism]

This is kinda silly. Sure, it takes a hell of a long time to try EVERY combination of a 2048 bit key, and have a 100% chance of guessing it correctly.

I think it would make more sense to talk about the probability of cracking the key after a given time, like a bell curve diagram, you have a 50% chance of cracking it after trying half the possible combinations and so on.

They are also only considering brute force, there could be a flaw in the algorithm.

[mysticcrh]

@AtheismandSkepticism I agree... attempting to crack an SSL certificate is ridiculous, but then that's the point of the video.

It's clear you haven't read about the making of the video on their site. I encourage you and anyone else interested in the math behind this to do so. It will clear a number of things up... for example it says they use a: "number field sieve (NFS) - which is much faster than a brute force attack" furthermore it isn't about checking EVERY combination... etc. Very cool.

[AtheismandSkepticism]

@mysticcrh Thanks. It's been while since I played around with cryptology I'll admit, lol.

I tried having a look before I made that comment but couldn't find any of the maths background people are talking about...

[mysticcrh]

@AtheismandSkepticism

Ya, they don't make it super clear where it is.... try the above link but add "/math.htm" to the end... that should get you there. :)

[edwardkmett]

Unless you send someone over to their house with a wrench. xkcd.com 538

[supradave1]

Unless they give their signing keys to someone else.

[ryot9]

They also have a page that shows all the math/science behind the claims. It's in a link just below the video on the page linked in the description. pretty cool!

[badebrewer]

That video is amazing. Loved the effects! Made it very interesting to watch.

[travisofthejungleful]

Take that, universe!

[somethingusernamable]

Until this moment I never thought a video about SSL would be able to hold my attention for a minute and twenty seconds.

[unicityvideos]

Well, I guess you can't get any safer than that!

[trhickman]

Awesome... seriously cool perspective.

[mysticcrh]

Mind = Blown