RSA Algorithm | Vibepedia

The RSA algorithm, developed by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman in 1977, is a widely used public-key cryptosystem for secure data transmission. With a key size of 2048 bits or larger, RSA is considered secure against brute-force attacks. The algorithm is used in digital signatures, such as RSASSA-PSS or RSA-FDH, and public-key encryption of short messages, like RSAES-OAEP. RSA-based cryptography relies on a pair of large prime numbers chosen at random and kept secret as the private key, while the public key is used to verify messages. As of 2022, RSA remains a cornerstone of secure online transactions, with over 90% of HTTPS connections relying on RSA or its variants. However, the rise of quantum computing poses a potential threat to RSA's security, with estimates suggesting that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break RSA-2048 in under 8 hours. Researchers are exploring post-quantum cryptographic alternatives, such as lattice-based cryptography and code-based cryptography, to ensure the long-term security of online transactions.