---
title: Distributed.net cracked RC5-64
date: "2002-09-28T12:00:00Z"
categories:
  - links
wp_id: 1132
description: Distributed.net cracked the RC5-64 encryption algorithm after four years, proving it's unsuitable for long-term security. The project demonstrates the massive potential of distributed computing for solving computationally expensive cryptographic challenges.
keywords: [distributed.net, rc5-64, encryption, rsa security, distributed computing, cryptography]
---

[distributed.net cracked RC5-64](http://www.distributed.net/pressroom/news-20020926.html). RC5-64 is an [encryption algorithm developed by RSA](http://www.rsasecurity.com/news/releases/pr.asp?doc_id=1400). It took 4 years. It looks long. But the big deal is, the algorithm therefore can't be used for long-term security. More importantly, it's becoming practical to use distributed computing on a massive scale.