What is the Nonce and how does it work in the world of cryptography
The post What is the Nonce and how does it work in the world of cryptography appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
In the landscape of cybersecurity, the term nonce represents a crucial element for ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of digital communications. Derived from the English expression “number used once,” the nonce is a random number used only once in a specific cryptographic context. Its main function is to prevent replay attacks, which are malicious attempts to intercept and retransmit valid messages to deceive security systems. In the technical field, a nonce is often a four-byte number that is added to an encrypted or hashed block, as occurs in the blockchain. This number is modified until the hash result meets certain difficulty criteria, making the manipulation process extremely complex for potential attackers. The distinctive characteristics of the Nonce in cryptography An effective nonce can include a timestamp, making it valid only for a specific time interval. Alternatively, it can be generated with a sufficient number of random bits to minimize the possibility of duplication. According to the definition of the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), a nonce is a value that varies over time and has a negligible probability of repeating. Cryptographic nonce: random or pseudo-random value used only once in a secure communication. Random number: number generated without any external influence, fundamental for the creation of robust cryptographic keys. Pseudo-random number: number generated by a deterministic algorithm, difficult to predict but not completely random. Replay attack: cyber attack in which a valid message is intercepted and retransmitted to deceive the recipient. Types of Nonce: generation methods Random Nonce The random nonce is generated by combining arbitrary numbers, making it unpredictable and therefore very effective against attacks. However, the exclusive use of random numbers does not guarantee absolute uniqueness, leaving open a small possibility of duplication. Sequential Nonce The sequential nonce follows a predictable sequence, ensuring that the values…
Filed under: News - @ June 2, 2025 7:26 am