On private-key encryption using product codes

In this paper, we analyze the security of J. and R.M. Campello de Souza's p rivate-key encryption scheme, which is based on the product codes with the capability of correcting a special type of structured errors. According to our cryptanalysis, we show that J. and R.M. Campello de Souza's scheme is i nsecure against chosen-plaintext attacks. A secure modified scheme is conse quently proposed to enhance the security. In addition, we propose a modific ation of the proposed scheme which provides joint error correction and encr yption. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.