TinkerOrder 1207 and Brightwater’s open padlocks. Toy-size numbers.In the open: PADLOCK 17
Chapter 3 of 7
The open padlock
Mixing needs both ends online at once. Brightwater has a better idea: hand open padlocks to anyone who asks.
This chapter: How can anyone lock a message that only one side can open?
About this chapter
You will learn
- Anyone can close an open padlock
- Only the private key opens it
- Real keys are huge
Words you’ll meet
- Public key
- The open padlock: anyone may have it and snap it shut.
- Private key
- The one key that opens the padlock; it never leaves its owner.
- RSA
- A public-key method where locking and opening are powers of a number, mod n.
Step 1 of 4
Brightwater sets open padlocks on the counter: its . Anyone may take one.
Predict who can open one once it’s shut.