Network Encryption Cracking

FPGA The Future of Encrytion Cracking

• FPGA (field-programmable gate array): by definition a FPGA is a series of processers wired up in sync via a main gate chip that is programmable by the customer.
• FPGA PCI Card: an array of processers on a PCI-E card that runs independently from other hardware similar in many ways to graphics card.

The exact understanding FPGA’s isn’t important to comprehend how they can be used to crack encryptions. The easiest way to understand FPGA PCI cards in to think of it as a graphics cards stripped down only with the main processors  without a large memory bus, shader chips or graphics array. This is important because you have a card missing all the expensive parts but still have the raw processing power.

GPU vs FPGA

As a quick comparison graphics cards cost more, generate more heat, consume more power but can play games well FPGA cards are usually cheap, don’t even need a heat sink to disperse there heat and are usually very power efficient but are limited there use.

 

Cracking Encryptions with a FPGA card

When cracking encryptions you only why to insure a successful break is to gain speed. Encryption cracking speed is measures in hashes per second. It is important to note this number will fluctuate depending on the type of encryption. Using md5 encryption a GTX680 graphics card will run at about 900 Mh/s and for comparison my processor –the AMD Phenom ii x6 1100t– will run at 20 Mh/s but the Icarus a popular FPGA runs at about 2000 Mh/s.

• GTX680 | Graphics Card | 900 Mh/s | $500
• Icarus | FPGA | 2000 Mh/s | $560
• AMD Phenom ii x6 1100t | Processor | 20 Mh/s | $200