http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/encryption/ Encryption. Read the latest research on computer security and encryption methods here. Evaluate new methods for protecting sensitive data. en-us Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:05:01 EDT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/encryption/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172417.htm Wireless sensor networks used to detect and report events including hurricanes, earthquakes, and forest fires and for military surveillance and anti-terrorist activities are prone to subterfuge. In the International Journal of Security and Networks, computer scientists at Florida Atlantic University describe a new anti-hacking system to protect WSNs. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172417.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103525.htm The growth of shared Wi-Fi and other wireless computer networks has increased the risk of eavesdropping on Internet communications, but researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science and College of Engineering have devised a low-cost system that can thwart these "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820162956.htm The fastest quantum computer bit that exploits the main advantage of the qubit over the conventional bit has been demonstrated. The scientists used lasers to create an initialized quantum state of this solid-state qubit at rates of about a gigahertz, or a billion times per second. They can also use lasers to achieve fundamental steps toward programming it. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820162956.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080819170439.htm Researchers from NIST and the Joint Quantum Institute have reported a new way to fine-tune the light coming from quantum dots by manipulating them with pairs of lasers. Their technique could significantly improve quantum dots as a source of pairs of entangled photons for applications in quantum information technologies. Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080819170439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806154712.htm Complex computer encryption codes could be solved and new drug design developed significantly faster because of new research. The reality of a workable quantum computer is one step closer. Researchers have shown for the first time that it is possible to make these computers in silicon rather than a vacuum, which has been the focus of previous research. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806154712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729075113.htm When consumers make purchases on the Internet, they must systematically fill in forms asking for their name and address. Now researchers are developing a system that would memorize all that information and make it mobile so it could be accessed at any computer. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729075113.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723144710.htm To help IT managers safeguard valuable information most efficiently, computer scientists are applying security metrics to computer network pathways to assign a probable risk of attack, calculating the most vulnerable points of attack. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723144710.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722175802.htm More than 75 percent of the bank Web sites surveyed had at least one design flaw that could make customers vulnerable to cyber thieves after their money or even their identity. These design flaws aren't bugs that can be fixed with a patch. They stem from the flow and the layout of these Web sites, according to the study. The flaws include placing log-in boxes and contact information on insecure web pages as well as failing to keep users on the site they initially visited. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722175802.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609141241.htm Biometrics is commonly associated retinal scans, iris recognition and DNA databases, but researchers in India are working on another form of biometrics that could allow law enforcement agencies and airport security to recognize suspects based on the way they were, their characteristic gait. Viewed from the side, we each have a unique gait that makes us easily recognizable. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609141241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529124827.htm Researchers have demonstrated a simpler and potentially lower-cost method for distributing cryptographic keys using quantum cryptography, the most secure method of transmitting data. The new method minimizes the required number of detectors, by far the most costly components in quantum cryptography. Fri, 30 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529124827.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080523095755.htm A computer scientist has devised an antifraud strategy for business. He suggests that managers should be made aware of security issues and send out cues to junior staff that they have this knowledge. Researchers in this field and security practitioners have recently begun to emphasize the need to take into account the "social" aspects of information security. They also emphasize that a lack of communication at the wider organizational level is often associated with computer fraud. Tue, 27 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080523095755.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508143107.htm Quantum cryptography has been regarded as 100-percent protection against attacks on sensitive data traffic. But now a research team in Sweden has found a hole in this advanced technology. The risk of illegal accessing of information, for example in money transactions, is necessitating more and more advanced cryptographic techniques. Sun, 11 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508143107.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501155234.htm Researchers from HP Labs have proven the existence of what had previously been only theorized as the fourth fundamental circuit element in electrical engineering. This scientific advancement could make it possible to develop computer systems that have memories that do not forget, do not need to be booted up, consume far less power and associate information in a manner similar to that of the human brain. Thu, 01 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501155234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428123555.htm Quantum cryptography may be essentially solved, but getting the funky physics to work on disciplined computer networks is a whole new headache. Cryptography is an arms race, but the finish line may be fast approaching. Up to now, each time the codemakers made a better mousetrap, codebreakers breed a better mouse. But quantum cryptography theoretically could outpace the codebreakers and win the race. Forever. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428123555.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421133025.htm Although the digital age is well under way, one crucial detail remains to be worked out -- how to store vast amounts of digital information in a way that allows future generations to recover it. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421133025.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422160001.htm The exchange of information between distant sources is the basis of all communications, but quantum mechanics may open up this distant exchange as never before. Quantum key distribution, for instance, would allow for absolutely secure encryption of information exchange by encoding information keys on single photons. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422160001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324102640.htm Researchers are reporting an advance toward a new generation of ultra-powerful computers built from DNA and enzymes, rather than transistors, silicon chips, and plastic. They describe development of a chemical "keypad lock," one of the first chemical-based security systems of its kind. Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324102640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317141210.htm Researchers have developed new software that can reduce the impact of cyber attacks by identifying the possible vulnerability paths through an organization's networks. By their very nature networks are highly interdependent and each machine’s overall susceptibility to attack depends on the vulnerabilities of the other machines in the network. Attackers can take advantage of multiple vulnerabilities in unexpected ways, allowing them to incrementally penetrate a network and compromise critical systems. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317141210.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305104847.htm Physicists have made a discovery that may revolutionize encryption technology while bringing quantum computing one step closer. Consumers, credit card companies and high-tech firms rely on cryptography to protect the transmission of sensitive information. The basis for current encryption systems is that computers would need thousands of years to factor a large number, making it very difficult to do. However, if new observations can be fully understood and applied, scientists may have the basis to create quantum computers -- which could easily break the most complicated encryption in a matter of hours. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305104847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221105820.htm Researchers have demonstrated a new class of computer attacks that compromise the contents of "secure" memory systems, particularly in laptops. The attacks overcome a broad set of security measures called "disk encryption," which are meant to secure information stored in a computer's permanent memory. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221105820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219124512.htm A rapid way to spot insider threats from individuals within an organization such as a multinational company or military installation is reported in the International Journal of Security and Networks. The technology uses data mining techniques to scour email and build up a picture of social network interactions. The technology could prevent serious security breaches, sabotage, and even terrorist activity. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219124512.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211093841.htm Move over, compact discs, DVDs, and hard drives. Researchers in Japan report progress toward developing a new protein-based memory device that could provide an alternative to conventional magnetic and optical storage systems, which are quickly approaching their memory storage capacities. Just as nature chose proteins as the memory storage medium of the brain, scientists have spent years exploring the possibility of similarly using proteins and other biological materials to build memory-based devices with the potential for processing information faster and providing greater storage capacity than existing materials. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211093841.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080208133900.htm Safeguarding sensitive information -- no matter how sophisticated the IT system -- can never be foolproof, according to new research. The loss of a CD by HM Revenue & Customs in the UK in November 2007 containing personal and financial details of over 7 million families claiming child benefit was swiftly followed by assurances that such a mistake would never happen again. Then in February, an agency of the Department for Health admitted that over 4,000 NHS smartcards, giving potential computer access to patient records, had been lost or stolen - and nearly a third of these in the last year alone. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080208133900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107121923.htm New technology that protects Internet advertisers from "click fraud" -- falsely driving up hits to ads on Web pages. The extra clicks drive up costs for pay-per-click advertising. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107121923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221214400.htm Quantum cryptography, or quantum key distribution, enables two communicating parties to produce a shared random bit string know only to them, which can be used as a key to crypt and decrypt messages. An important and unique feature of quantum cryptography is the ability of the two communicating parties to quickly detect the presence of any third party trying to gain access to the key. This third party, the eavesdropper if you like, is commonly known as Eve among cryptographers. Quantum cryptography then is essentially all about cutting Eve out of the equation. Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221214400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071112091850.htm Computer scientists have found a security vulnerability in Microsoft's Windows 2000 operating system. The significance of the loophole: e-mails, passwords, credit card numbers, if they were typed into the computer, and actually all correspondence that emanated from a computer using Windows 2000 is susceptible to tracking. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071112091850.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071107091540.htm Using an SMS password as an added security measure for Internet banking is no guarantee your money is safe, according to a new study which reveals online customers are not protecting their accounts. Researchers said one in five online transactions was vulnerable to obvious attacks despite added security methods such as SMS passwords being adopted. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071107091540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108162004.htm As this year's holiday season approaches, your credit card transactions may be a little more secure thanks to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System. When you make an electronic transaction -- either swiping a card at a checkout counter or through a commercial website -- you enter personal payment information into a computer. Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108162004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108141303.htm Computer scientists have watched malicious traffic on the Internet evolve from childish pranks to a billion-dollar "shadow industry" in the last decade, and the profession has largely been one step behind the bad guys. Viruses, phishing scams, worms and spyware are only the beginning, according to one computer science specialist. Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108141303.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071031111146.htm Researchers have invented a computer architecture that enables the secure transmission of crucial rescue information to first responders during events such as natural disasters, fires or terrorist attacks. Electrical engineering professor Ruby Lee said the new architecture allows for what she describes as "transient trust." Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071031111146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071011180823.htm Researchers have designed and demonstrated a transistor containing quantum dots that can count individual photons. The semiconductor device could be integrated easily into electronics for applications such as quantum key distribution for 'unbreakable' encryption using single photons. Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071011180823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071005142527.htm Scientists have devised an inexpensive and efficient way to improve security for radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, the wireless devices that allow consumers to pay for their gas or access buildings without pulling out their wallets. The breakthrough, which uses variations in the tags' existing memory cells, will make their stored information more secure while retaining their small, convenient size. Mon, 08 Oct 2007 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071005142527.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071002131117.htm People who are suckered by a spoof email into visiting a counterfeit Web site are also people who are ready to learn their lesson about "phishing" attacks, according to a new study. The researchers sent their own spoof email to users and tricked them into visiting an educational website. People who had been tricked by the team tended to learn and retain more of the lesson about how to spot phishing sites. Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071002131117.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070928104257.htm According to a new article, technological and security issues will stall maximum transmission rates at levels comparable to that of a single broadband connection, such as a cable modem, unless researchers reduce 'dead times' in the detectors that receive quantum-encrypted messages. Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070928104257.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070925110204.htm Computer scientists have developed an interactive, online game featuring a little fish named Phil that can teach people how to better recognize and avoid email 'phishing' and other Internet scams. The game is available for public use. Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070925110204.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926172232.htm Physicists have transferred information between two 'artificial atoms' by way of electronic vibrations on a micro-fabricated aluminum cable, demonstrating a new component for potential ultra-powerful quantum computers of the future. The setup resembles a miniature version of a cable television transmission line, but with some powerful added features, including superconducting circuits with zero electrical resistance, and multitasking data bits that obey the unusual rules of quantum physics. Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926172232.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926172350.htm Two major steps toward putting quantum computers into real practice -- sending a photon signal on demand from a qubit onto wires and transmitting the signal to a second, distant qubit -- have been achieved. Over the past several years, the scientists explored basic building blocks in the design of a quantum computer. Now, for the first time, they report that superconducting qubits, or artificial atoms, have been able to communicate information not only to their nearest neighbor, but also to a distant qubit on the chip. Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926172350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905133621.htm Physicists have coaxed two separate atoms to communicate with a sort of quantum intuition that Albert Einstein called "spooky." In doing so, the researchers have made an advance toward super-fast quantum computing. The research could also be a building block for a quantum internet. Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905133621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070830150102.htm Agencies like the US Census Bureau produce a voluminous amount of data, much of which is of tremendous value to researchers. But the data also includes personal information that could be harmful were it to fall into the wrong hands. Thus, organizations that maintain such databases need to devise ways to protect individuals' privacy while preserving the value of the information to researchers, writes Carnegie Mellon University Statistics in a recent article. Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070830150102.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070824185539.htm College students do it. Coffee shop customers do it too. Your neighbor in Apartment 3C is probably doing it right now. Many computer users search for an available wireless network to tap into--whether at the mall, at school or at home--and whether they have permission to use that network or not. Knowingly or unknowingly, these wireless "parasites" may be doing more than filching a signal. When they connect, they can open up the network--and all the computers on it--to an array of security breaches. Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070824185539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070816143801.htm By using pulses of light to dramatically accelerate the development of quantum computers, researchers have made strides in technology that could foil national and personal security threats. Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070816143801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070806122901.htm Computer scientists have found striking differences between the infrastructure used to distribute spam and the infrastructure used to host the online scams advertised in these unwanted email messages. This discovery should aid in the fight to reduce spam volume and shut down illegal online businesses and malware sites. 94 percent of spam-advertised online scams are hosted on individual Web servers. Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070806122901.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070730184838.htm Flaws that leave electronic voting machines vulnerable to security attacks were discovered by University of California researchers as part of an unprecedented "Top-to-Bottom Review" of the systems commissioned by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070730184838.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070725143630.htm Physicists have induced thousands of atoms trapped by laser beams to swap "spins" with partners simultaneously. The repeated exchanges, like a quantum version of swinging your partner in a square dance but lasting a total of just 10 milliseconds, might someday carry out logic operations in quantum computers, which theoretically could quickly solve certain problems that today's best supercomputers could not solve in years. Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070725143630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070609112919.htm Researchers have built a prototype high-speed quantum key distribution system, based on a new detector system that achieves dramatically lower noise levels than similar systems. Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070609112919.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070601162438.htm Particles of light serving as "quantum keys" -- the latest in encryption technology -- have been sent over a record-setting 200-kilometer fiber-optic link by scientists. The experiment, using mostly standard components and transmitting at telecommunications frequencies, offers an approach for making practical inter-city terrestrial quantum communications networks as well as long-range wireless systems using communication satellites. Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070601162438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070521100535.htm Mathematicians and number buffs have their records. And at last, an international team has broken a long-standing one in an impressive feat of calculation. Mathematicians have just reached the end of eleven months of strenuous calculation, churning out the prime factors of a well-known, hard-to-factor number that is a whopping 307 digits long. Mon, 21 May 2007 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070521100535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070323104932.htm Have you ever wondered how fraudulent or malicious Web sites can rank highly on search engines like Google or Yahoo? Queensland University of Technology IT researcher Professor Audun Josang said a Web site's ranking was determined by the number of people who visited the site -- the more hits the higher the ranking. Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070323104932.htm