There's some details, like the 'mod' of the VAST number is used. This use of the 'mod' of the number also makes the operation essentially one-way. mod, or '%' is like 17 % 5 is 2 "seventeen mod five is two" because if you keep taking 5 away from 17, you end up with 2.
Note: if you have this '2', it is very difficult to get back to the 17. I mean, it could have been 489.
If the VAST number was tiny, like 1000 Trillion plus a few, and you took the mod of that number (say That number 'mod' one billion), you would end up with the "a few". It is then very difficult to get back to the 1000 Trillion plus a few - which you THEN have to factor.
This "mod" bit is usually forgotten, but it is key.
There are also things to do with being able to proove your identity using this kinda stuff, and also being able to do this stuff while your communications are completely spied on by bad guys.
To step out of character for a moment, "prime factorization (verb)" refers to the act of factoring an assumed non-prime number into primes, e.g the prime factors of 12 are 2 and 3, the prime factorization (noun) is 2 * 2 * 3 or 22 * 3. People since Eratosthenes have been working on primes and factorization. You nor I are likely to work out anything new but who knows? So, back into my bear suit, fuck this shit. The baddies will always find another way to keep the moola flowing away from us to them. Sitting working on encryption is time we could spend at target practice!
Hey, thank you for this very involved answer.
Whoa Thank you for that informed reply.
(post is archived)