Checking Success of Cryptanalysis: Computer's Stopping Point

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on determining the success of cryptanalysis performed by computers, particularly in the context of brute-force attacks. It highlights that computers can stop cryptanalysis when they identify known plaintext components, such as headers in electronic communications. Additionally, the use of frequency and contact analysis is emphasized as a method to evaluate candidate plaintext against expected language characteristics, allowing for efficient flagging of potential successful decryptions for human review.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cryptanalysis techniques
  • Familiarity with brute-force attack methodologies
  • Knowledge of plaintext structures in electronic communications
  • Experience with frequency and contact analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for identifying known plaintext in cryptanalysis
  • Explore advanced brute-force attack strategies and their limitations
  • Learn about frequency analysis techniques in cryptography
  • Investigate tools for automating candidate plaintext evaluation
USEFUL FOR

Cryptographers, security analysts, and anyone involved in the field of cryptanalysis who seeks to enhance their understanding of automated decryption processes and success verification methods.

mtanti
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How do you check if a cryptanalysis was successful? I'm talking about a super computer not a human reading the output text. When does a computer stop cryptanalysing?

Or even whilst doing bruteforce at millions of keys per second. When will a computer stop?
 
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Very commonly, parts of the plaintext are known before cryptanalysis is begun. For example, many kinds of electronic communication include headers or other kinds of "framework," and the cryptanalysis program could flag any decrypt which contains those known bits of plaintext.

Alternatively, one could use frequency and contact analysis on the candidate plaintext -- if its frequency and contact charts are close enough to those of the plaintext language, it could be flagged for a human cryptanalyst to take a look.

- Warren
 

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