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I did not dig through all the links in that twitter thread, but the first few tweets are pretty misleading. The tweets say DJB implied that scientists who subm
by moefh 3y ago
I did not dig through all the links in that twitter thread, but the first few tweets are pretty misleading.
The tweets say DJB implied that scientists who submitted algorithms were bribed by the NSA. That's a complete misunderstanding of that DJB wrote: he argued that the NSA wouldn't need to bribe those scientists, because they hired the top experts in the field years ago, so it might be the case that they're so far ahead of what's being submitted that all they have to do is push NIST to pick an algorithm they know how to break.
Now, I have no knowledge of any of this, so I have no idea if DJB's argument is insanely paranoid like the author of the thread implies (with the GIF in the 3rd tweet). All I can see is that the author's claim is a gross mischaracterization of what DJB wrote.
- denton-scratch 3y ago> no idea if DJB's argument is insanely paranoid Isn't paranoia an essential job requirement for cryptographers?
- Aachen 3y agoCryptography: <reference> is incorrect because <logic> and should therefore be <statement>. This allows a ciphertext produced by X to be breakable in 2²¹ operations when 2¹¹ messages are known to the attacker. Paranoia: NSA bribes the independent reviewers and is backdooring the whole thing because everyone knows the military and intelligence services are two decades ahead of public research and we just don't know what the algorithm flaw is yet, but I'm telling you, they're keeping something behind! I am not saying djb (or anyone) does the latter, example is given exaggerated for illustrative purposes only. The cryptographer's example is also exaggerated, as it does matter how algorithms are chosen and there's a measure of subjectivity involved. Still, I would not say that paranoia is the job of a cryptographer.
- Ar-Curunir 3y agoSpeaking as a cryptographer, a healthy amount of paranoia is good and necessary. DJB's level of paranoia re: Kyber and lattices is bordering on delusion.
- michael1999 3y agoIt isn’t paranoia when the NSA has been caught with their hand in the cookie jar before. There is no obligation to give known liars the benefit of the doubt.