5 ms·
But the randomness of the serial numbers is very important here too: If someone could predict upcoming keys, the system could be broken.
by fisherjeff 7y ago
But the randomness of the serial numbers is very important here too: If someone could predict upcoming keys, the system could be broken.
- hn_throwaway_99 7y ago> But the randomness of the serial numbers... That sentence is an oxymoron. They are called "serial" numbers because they are applied in series, i.e. one right after the other. The randomness is not important. The person setting up the drop already has the dollar bill in hand. The important thing is that the bill can't be duplicated.
- nieve 7y agoA random selection from a set of in-series numbers is still random, it's just got a potentially known range.
- qrbLPHiKpiux 7y agoFor $1, that’s a bargain.
- PeterisP 7y agoI don't think that the system would suffer much if someone was using a stack of fresh dollar bills where the serial numbers are in order. Randomness doesn't hurt, but for the main threat models they expect (presenting a fake token, repudiation that they didn't receive the goods, etc) it's not stricly necessary.
- janekm 7y agoThe DEA could hypothetically ask the treasury to reprint a note with a particular serial number, given enough time. So random selection is an important property.