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From: devine@vianet.UUCP (Bob Devine)
Newsgroups: sci.crypt
Subject: Multiple "valid" decryptions
Message-ID: <97@vianet.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 17-Dec-86 21:43:05 EST
Article-I.D.: vianet.97
Posted: Wed Dec 17 21:43:05 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Dec-86 07:11:23 EST
Organization: ViaNetix  Boulder, CO
Lines: 14
Keywords: 100 monkees


  Something to reflect upon, when thinking about decrypting a message
using a key with a very large range, is the large number of possible
decryptions that may result.  Obviously, most of the decryptions
when using a random key will be garbage.  However, what's intriguing
is the thought that some of the random keys will produce random
interesting messages.

  For comparison, what were the odds in the old puzzle about 100
monkees coming up with Shakespearean plays after hammering randomly
on typewriters for a million years?

Bob Devine
[ encrypting my name produces 13013...:-)]