Lecture #31

Computer Communications

Computer Security

  • Important Topic
    • Billions in Losses

  • Good Passwords and Cracking

  • Brief Case Combination Locks
    • Briefcase combination lock
    • Analysis
      • number of wheels
      • number of positions
      • time per trial
      • alternatives


  • Password on a Computer
    • More possibilities per "wheel" or position
    • Faster Cracking

  • Dictionary Attacks
    • Picking a good UNIX password

  • Encryption
    • Military History
    • From Caesar to Poe

  • Polyalphabetic Substitution
    • The Vignere Cypher
    • Cypher Reuse

  • One Time Pads
    • Can be Absolutely Secure
    • Computers and Random Number Generators