RSA Encryption

Definition

RSA is a public-key cryptosystem invented in 1977, widely used for secure communications and digital signatures. Its security relies on the difficulty of factoring large prime products. Shor's algorithm factors integers efficiently, making RSA completely vulnerable to quantum computers.

Technical Explanation

RSA key generation multiplies two large primes (p×q=n). The public key includes n and an exponent e; the private key contains the factorization. Encryption raises messages to power e mod n; decryption uses the private exponent d. Factoring n reveals d, breaking security.

Classical factoring algorithms require exponential time; the current RSA record is 829 bits. Shor's algorithm factors in polynomial time—a 2048-bit RSA key falls to a few thousand logical qubits. RSA-2048, once considered safe for decades, has a limited quantum-era lifespan.

SynX Relevance

SynX avoids RSA entirely, implementing only quantum-resistant algorithms. Kyber-768 replaces RSA for key encapsulation; SPHINCS+ replaces RSA for signatures. No RSA dependency means no RSA vulnerability—SynX is quantum-resistant by design, not by upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is longer RSA key length a solution?: No—Shor's algorithm breaks RSA regardless of key size; larger keys only slightly delay attacks.
Is RSA used in cryptocurrency?: Rarely directly; ECDSA is more common. But RSA appears in TLS, wallet infrastructure, and exchanges.
When will RSA be broken?: When cryptographically relevant quantum computers exist—estimates range from 2030-2040.

Zero RSA dependencies. Experience pure post-quantum SynX