Author
Crosbie, M., Krsul, I., Lodin, S., Spafford, E.
Abstract
This paper describes the design and implementation of a secure message broadcast system (SMBS). It is a secure, multi-party chat program that ensures privacy in communication and does not rely on shared secret keys. The system was built as a study of the feasibility of building effective communication tools using zero knowledge proofs. There is a general consensus in the computer security community that traditional password based authentication mechanisms are insuficient in today's globally connected environment. Mechanisms such as one-time-passwords are a partial solution to the problem. The issue that these protocols don't address is the lack of mutual authentication. The Kerberos family of systems addresses the issue of mutual authentication but relies heavily on the physical security of the server and safekeeping of the password database.
