RSA is a different algorithm with a longer history and a broader adoption, at least in the past. It depends upon the complexity of factoring large numbers.

For example, this is used to support online shopping or secure messaging, traditionally using the RSA algorithm, though increasingly an alternative called elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman.

The RSA algorithm works because, when n is sufficiently large, deriving d from a known e and n will be an impractically long calculation — unless we know p, in which case we can use the shortcut.

The RSA algorithm has become an encryption standard for many e-commerce security applications. The patent for it was issued to MIT on Sept. 20, 1983, and licensed exclusively to RSA Security.

Based on the data they collected, they concluded “1,024-bit RSA provides 99.8% security at best.” BACKGROUND: Crypto experts analyze millions of X.509 certificates, call RSA crypto flawed ...

RSA is currently doing an internal review of all of its products to see where the algorithm gets invoked and to change those. A company spokesman said the review is expected to be completed next ...