Re: Origin of the term "salt" in computer security

paul_at_atom.sbrk.co.uk
Date: 05/10/03 

Date: 10 May 2003 17:52:29 GMT

In article <vbo29s84hsrl7d@corp.supernews.com>, Scott B. wrote:
> Brad Rubin wrote:
>> I put out a challange question to my computer security class asking
>> them to find the origin for the word "salt" in computer security.

> Could it be related to the old gold mining claim cheat? Someone
> considering buying a gold mining claim would be tricked into thinking
> the ground was richer in gold than it really was. A sample of the
> dirt would be shoveled into a gold pan, then the seller would "salt
> the pan" surreptitiously with gold.

Yes :)

>From the horse's mouth, email from Ken Thompson:

: RE: Etymology of "to salt" in passwords

: "salting a mine" is placing
: a small amount of gold in a mine
: to raise expectations that it
: is a real gold mine.

Paul

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