256 bit and 512 bit encryption are somewhat common. A 256 bit private key is 64 characters long (I’m simplifying this, don’t @ me about it being hex). A 512 bit private key is twice as long. That long string of random characters is what gives this type of encryption its power. It’s essentially unguessable, even with a computer and a lot of time.
Using “4” as your private key would significantly undermine security. Hackers can’t check every possible option for a 512 bit key, but they can certainly (and trivially) try simple numbers padded by 0’s, like our “4” private key.
You’ve taken a strong and proven system and made it trivially weak. That’s the joke. It’s not that funny, but that’s what you’re missing.
Uh roommate must have predicted the future because this is about a private key for a certificate authority using the number “4” as their whole private key recently. As well as a couple other low digit numbers
my college roommate made this joke in 2009, complete with the ‘4’
i still don’t get it lol
I gotcha bud.
It’s a riff on the olive meme.
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/hungry-but-too-tired-to-cook-try-30-to-40-olives
256 bit and 512 bit encryption are somewhat common. A 256 bit private key is 64 characters long (I’m simplifying this, don’t @ me about it being hex). A 512 bit private key is twice as long. That long string of random characters is what gives this type of encryption its power. It’s essentially unguessable, even with a computer and a lot of time.
Using “4” as your private key would significantly undermine security. Hackers can’t check every possible option for a 512 bit key, but they can certainly (and trivially) try simple numbers padded by 0’s, like our “4” private key.
You’ve taken a strong and proven system and made it trivially weak. That’s the joke. It’s not that funny, but that’s what you’re missing.
Hope that helps.
very helpful, thank you!!
Uh roommate must have predicted the future because this is about a private key for a certificate authority using the number “4” as their whole private key recently. As well as a couple other low digit numbers
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/10/the-internet-goes-on-high-alert-after-discovery-of-8-compromised-tls-certs/
yes! i think so! he was the one who introduced me to xkcd!