Department of Computer Science at the Technische Universität München Chair for Efficient Algorithms Postal address: 80290 München; Premises: Arcisstr.21, 80333 München

Seminar: New Applications of Cryptographic Algorithms

[Summary] [List of Topics] [List of Talks]

Summary

In particular, we focus on the following applications: digital signatures make it possible to sign documents which are transmitted in electronic form such that signatures cannot be forged; smartcards, i.e., plastic cards with integrated microchips, are used for safe identification; digital cash allows users to divide electronic ``bank notes'' obtained from a bank or company into arbitrarily small pieces which can be used to pay for good purchased via the internet; broadcast encryption is interesting for satellite tv providers who want to ensure that only authorized subscribers can decrypt their broadcast signals (Pay-TV, Videocrypt); finally, electronic elections may replace conventional elections in the future.

The background knowledge covered in the seminar includes one-way functions and trapdoor functions which are essential for public-key cryptography. Relevant topics in complexity theory are also addressed.

List of Topics:

1. Basics for one-way functions and trapdoor functions
2. Candidates for one-way functions
3. One-way hash functions
4. Tests for Primality
5. Digital signatures: DSS and DSA
6. Secret sharing
7. Secure cryptosystems and provably fair poker games
8. Interactive proofs that do not reveal any information
9. Fiat-Shamir zero-knowledge test and its application in smartcards
10. Digital cash
11. Broadcast encryption
12. Electronic Elections

The list of topics including references can also be obtained as a PostScript file.

List of Talks:

For further information please contact: Thomas Erlebach or Volker Heun.