A pair of researchers from Boston University and Portland State University has developed a new cryptographic technique. The “crumple zone” in cryptographic mechanisms makes it possible – but extremely expensive – for someone to recover keys for decrypting targeted communications. With crumpling, each ephemeral key is carefully weakened, thereby making it recoverable, but only through expensive brute-force techniques. The technique works best when used with the strongest encryption mechanisms, the researchers say. The method only enables passive breaches of confidentiality, meaning an attacker wouldn’t be able to change any encrypted data.”]