AS MYSTICS SEARCH for the lost island of Atlantis and UFO buffs seek out alien spacecraft, cryptologists are continuing their own quest to create an unbreakable code. Michael Rabin, a Harvard University computer science professor, believes he has moved cryptology . . .
AS MYSTICS SEARCH for the lost island of Atlantis and UFO buffs seek out alien spacecraft, cryptologists are continuing their own quest to create an unbreakable code. Michael Rabin, a Harvard University computer science professor, believes he has moved cryptology a step closer to its Holy Grail by developing a code that's undecipherable, even by those who have access to both the cypher text and unlimited computing power.

Rabin's Hyper-Encryption technology, which uses a device that quickly generates a deluge of random bits, relies on both time and money to thwart even the most dedicated code breaker. A coded message would be hidden within the bits "like raisins in a pudding," quips Rabin. While anyone can read the random bits, the transmission rate is so high that storing all of the stream for analysis would be either technically unfeasible or cost prohibitive.

The link for this article located at IDG.net is no longer available.