How does RSA work

It's pretty damn cool

Euler's theorem

\text{We have } a^{\phi(m)} = 1 \mod{m}
\text{For any } a, m \text{ such that gcd}(a, m)=1

This is fundamental for RSA. We will see that it's the reason why it works (not the reason it's secure however)

What's so special about 1?

a^{\phi(m)} = 1 \mod{m}

We care because 1 means we cycle.

\text{Euler's theorem}

Getting our intuition kicking in

And let's use numbers cos why not

\text{Let } a = 2, m = 7
\text{By Euler's theorem, we have } 2^{\phi(7)} = 1 \mod{7}.
(\text{Since 7 is prime, } \phi(7) = 7 - 1 = 6)
2^6 = 1 \mod{7}
2^7 = \underbrace{2^6}_\text{1} \cdot 2 = 2^1 \mod{7}
2^{15} = \underbrace{2^{6 \cdot 2}}_\text{1} \cdot 2^3 = 2^3 \mod{7}

The cycle

a^t = a^{(t \mod{\phi(m)})} \mod{m}

Encryption and decryption

Gotta be inverses of each other right?

\text{dec}(\text{enc}(a)) = a

From the last slide

a^t = a^{(t \mod{\phi(m)})} \mod{m}

Recalling those basic rules

a^1 = a
(a^t)^s = a^{t \cdot s}

Can we come up with something?

Why is it secure tho?

\text{Because } \phi(N) \text{ is bloody hard to compute}

(incomplete)

Cheers

Mathieu Paturel

30 July 2020

Finite Maths (MATH2400 <3)

How does RSA work v2

By Mathieu Paturel

How does RSA work v2

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