Back to results

Carleton University

Public key cryptography and the zero-one knapsack problem

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This paper reviews several popular symmetric cryptosystems, monoalphabetic and polyalphabetic. Their susceptibility to cryptanalysis is examined. Asymmetric cryptosystems are introduced through public key cryptography. The Rivest-Shamir-Adelman cryptosystem is explained. Then the Merkle-Hellman system based on the zero-one knapsack problem is presented. Standard attacks on the zero-one knapsack problem are rejected as too time-consuming. Herlestam's proposed attack is discussed in detail. The results of theoretical examination and computer tests show that it is not quick, as claimed. The recent polynomial time algorithm of A. Shamir solving most instances of the Merkle-Hellman system is studied in detail.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Level thesis:degree_level
Master's
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Information and Systems Science
Grantor dc:publisher
Carleton University
Year dc:date.issued
1983

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Cobb, Simon, 1950-

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright © 1983 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/29749

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Carleton University
Base URL
carleton.scholaris.ca/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Cobb, Simon, 1950-. Public key cryptography and the zero-one knapsack problem. Master's thesis, Carleton University, 1983. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14718/29749