Crypt::Solitaire 2.0

Crypt::Solitaire is a Perl module with Solitaire encryption.

SYNOPSIS

# OO Interface use Crypt::Solitaire; $ref = Crypt::Solitaire->new( $passphrase ); $encrypted = $ref->encrypt( $text );

  $ref2 = Crypt::Solitaire->new( $passphrase );
  $decrypted = $ref2->decrypt( $encrypted );

# Functional Interface

  use Crypt::Solitaire;
  my $encrypted = Pontifex( $plaintext, $passphrase, $mode );

Solitaire is a top-notch pencil-and-paper encryption system developed by Bruce Schneier. Here is the description in Schneier's own words:

"In Neal Stephenson's novel Cryptonomicon, the character Enoch Root describes a cryptosystem code-named "Pontifex" to another character named Randy Waterhouse, and later reveals that the steps of the algorithm are intended to be carried out using a deck of playing cards. These two characters go on to exchange several encrypted messages using this system. The system is called "Solitaire" (in the novel, "Pontifex" is a code name intended to temporarily conceal the fact that it employs a deck of cards) and I designed it to allow field agents to communicate securely without having to rely on electronics or having to carry incriminating tools. An agent might be in a situation where he just does not have access to a computer, or may be prosecuted if he has tools for secret communication. But a deck of cards...what harm is that?

"Solitaire gets its security from the inherent randomness in a shuffled deck of cards. By manipulating this deck, a communicant can create a string of "random" letters that he then combines with his message. Of course Solitaire can be simulated on a computer, but it is designed to be implemented by hand.

"Solitaire may be low-tech, but its security is intended to be high-tech. I designed Solitaire to be secure even against the most well-funded military adversaries with the biggest computers and the smartest cryptanalysts. Of course, there is no guarantee that someone won't find a clever attack against Solitaire, but the algorithm is certainly better than any other pencil-and-paper cipher I've ever seen."

Simple system, easy to use, and relatively fast.

Requirements:

· Perl