Re: CAST self-decrypting archive; RC6

From: Gregory G Rose (ggr_at_qualcomm.com)
Date: 02/29/04 

Date: 28 Feb 2004 22:57:30 -0800

In article <4202f8d0.0402282113.2f2e54fd@posting.google.com>,
RPK <webmaster@hypercypher.zzn.com> wrote:
>Why CAST-128 is mostly used for creating self-decrypting archives?

Don't know. Someone must have liked it. PGP used
CAST as a replacement for IDEA when patents and
licensing became an issue, maybe it's related to
that.

>I heard of CAST5 previously, what is the difference?

CAST5 had 64-bit keys. CAST-128 extended the key
length, and became a Canadian standard. Both used
64-bit blocks.

>Many cryptographers had good faith in this algorithm, but I did not
>see its name in the AES race. Any report of serious weakness found
>in it.

CAST-256 was an AES entrant, and I don't recall
any problems being found with it, but it wasn't
fast enough to make the final five.

>Some of the algorithms like RC6 which support 2040-bit keys are often
>not seen, whereas RC4 is still popular.

RC6 is patented. RC4 is not secure by today's
standards.

Key length is like speedometers in cars; just
because it tops out at "200" doesn't mean the car
will go that fast.

Greg. 

-- 
Greg Rose
232B EC8F 44C6 C853 D68F  E107 E6BF CD2F 1081 A37C
Qualcomm Australia: http://www.qualcomm.com.au

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