Table of Contents (click to expand)TrapdoorThe Keys Prime numbers are used in cryptography because they are difficult to factorize. This means that it is difficult to find the prime factors of a composite number without knowing the factors to begin with. This makes it difficult for someone to intercept a message and read it without the proper key. A hacker or thief attempting to crack a 400-digit encryption code that obscures your credit card details, with a computer that tests 1 million combinations per second, would take around 10 raised to the power 194 seconds to accomplish the feat. The Universe is … Continue reading How Are Prime Numbers Used In Cryptography?