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Secure position based cryptography

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Thu, 2010-05-13 16:11

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Secure position based cryptography

I just saw a fun result: it is possible to construct quantum encryption so that only people at a certain position can read the message. http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/25177/ The trick involves sending and receiving messages at light-speed so that one's position can be proven, leading to the exchange of a quantum key that allows secure communication. This might be something for security-conscious EP conspiracies. As well as a reason for the PCs to rush to some remote and inhospitable place to intercept a message.

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Thu, 2010-05-13 17:09

Decivre

Re: Secure position based cryptography

Arenamontanus wrote:
I just saw a fun result: it is possible to construct quantum encryption so that only people at a certain position can read the message. http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/25177/ The trick involves sending and receiving messages at light-speed so that one's position can be proven, leading to the exchange of a quantum key that allows secure communication. This might be something for security-conscious EP conspiracies. As well as a reason for the PCs to rush to some remote and inhospitable place to intercept a message.

Actually, I can see this being implemented as a protocol for quantum-encrypted communication. It seems that quantum farcasters can be linked to multiple other farcasters. If this is the case, then position-based cryptography would be a great way to choose a specific farcaster to communicate with. This may be essential in ego-casting, where ego theft is an issue that people take very seriously.

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Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]

Fri, 2010-05-14 05:56

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Re: Secure position based cryptography

That is a great idea! The core egocasting network could make use of this, setting up quantum key exchanges by using known habitat orbits. The drawback is that the time involved is a few turnaround times at lightspeed, but once it is done an absolutely secure key has been made (and then it might be used as a key for a cheaper classical crypto for bulk data; complete quantum channels are slow and expensive). An adventure idea: Firewall *really* wants to catch a particular character. They think he will egocast to habitat X, so they send the PCs there. Ideally they should infiltrate the egocasting service there and get a copy of the character. Of course, that service has plenty of security.

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Fri, 2010-05-14 06:41

Decivre

Re: Secure position based cryptography

Arenamontanus wrote:
That is a great idea! The core egocasting network could make use of this, setting up quantum key exchanges by using known habitat orbits. The drawback is that the time involved is a few turnaround times at lightspeed, but once it is done an absolutely secure key has been made (and then it might be used as a key for a cheaper classical crypto for bulk data; complete quantum channels are slow and expensive). An adventure idea: Firewall *really* wants to catch a particular character. They think he will egocast to habitat X, so they send the PCs there. Ideally they should infiltrate the egocasting service there and get a copy of the character. Of course, that service has plenty of security.

The inverse of that mission: Firewall has transmitted an important Crow to a new Firewall facility to research newly discovered TITAN technology. Unfortunately, Project Ozma got wind and took over the facility... and his ego has already been sent on its way. The PCs have to get to the facility and maintain control of the ego bridge at least long enough to prevent his ego from getting into the wrong hands, and giving Ozma access to all the Firewall secrets his mind contains.

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Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]

Fri, 2010-05-14 08:33

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Re: Secure position based cryptography

The inverse scenario is great, because due to the time delays involved in the location crypto it actually makes sense. "You have 33 minutes before the signal from 430 Hybris arrives and they can decrypt agent Sphinx." Of course, the sentinels will be the ones physically closest to the facility, not the best suited for the mission.

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