Chapter 118 I would like to sign my name
Knowledge Assumption, translated in Chinese as assumed knowledge, is a core concept in the application of zero-knowledge proof, and it is also the security cornerstone of zero-knowledge proof.
Assumption knowledge ensures that the prover cannot generate a valid proof without knowing certain information.
For example, if you want to prove that you know Andy Lau’s phone number, Andy Lau will ask you, what is the last four digits of my phone number minus 1111?
If the last four digits of Andy Lau’s phone number are four 8s, then you tell him 7777, which is the correct answer.
The question "subtract 1111 from the last four digits" is a kind of hypothetical knowledge.
First assume that you know my phone number, and based on this, set a knowledge point for you to answer, and then based on your answer, determine whether you know my phone number.
But Andy Lau’s problem is not fixed every time, but random.
The next time you prove it, or the next person comes to prove it, Andy Lau will change the question. The question is not about subtracting 1111 from the last four digits, but probably adding 1111 to the last four digits, or subtracting 2222. Then the answer will change accordingly.
That is to say, in addition to knowing Andy Lau's phone number, you also need to know what questions Andy Lau gave to prove that you know Andy Lau's phone number.
If you only know Andy Lau's phone number, or you only know the questions Andy Lau gave, you cannot complete the proof.
Putting it in a zero-knowledge proof, this is equivalent to adding a security lock.
In practical applications, this security lock cannot be a simple algorithm such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is generally a set of cryptographic assumptions with very complex algorithms.
Previously, zero-knowledge proofs could not be put into widespread applications because of the lack of the security cornerstone of "assumed knowledge". Without this security cornerstone, the cryptographic system formed by zero-knowledge proofs can be easily broken.
It can be said that without hypothetical knowledge, there will be no application of zero-knowledge proof, and without the encryption of zero-knowledge proof, future blockchain technology will not be able to develop.
The paper "Concise Non-Interactive Knowledge Argument of Zero Knowledge" is important because it first proposed the concept of hypothetical knowledge.
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When Goldwasser saw the concept of "hypothetical knowledge", her expression instantly became solemn, and she was sensitive to the fact that this concept was unusual.
The next second, she began to think about this concept.
In fact, when Goldwasser proposed zero-knowledge proof, the idea of assuming knowledge was already implicit, but it was not made explicit.
Now that I saw this paper, Goldwasser suddenly felt enlightened!
After a moment of thinking, Goldwasser realized that assumed knowledge is the safe cornerstone of zero-knowledge proof! With this assumed knowledge, the application of zero-knowledge proof will be improved by several levels!
The paper still has the last part, which mainly explores the potential uses of zero-knowledge concise and non-interactive, including blockchain, identity verification, etc., but Goldwasser has no intention of continuing to read the last part of the paper.
At this time, Goldwasser had become excited, and he had realized the extraordinary significance of this paper!
As early as 1985, Goldwasser had already proposed the concept of zero-knowledge proof. Nineteen years have passed, and this concept still remains at the theoretical level and has not been applied on a large scale.
And now, Zhang Wei's paper finally allows Goldwasser to see the hope of zero-knowledge proof entering large-scale applications!
This is like an old hen that you have raised for nineteen years and never lays eggs. You had already given up, but suddenly one day, the old hen started laying eggs! Can you not feel excited?
I’m so excited!
The next second, Goldwasser stood up suddenly, took Zhang Wei's paper, and ran towards Professor Aardman's laboratory.
When he arrived at Professor Aardman's door, Goldwasser didn't even knock on the door, he pushed the door open and rushed forward.
"Professor, look at this paper!" Goldwasser handed the paper to Professor Aardman with trembling hands.
Professor Aardman is a little surprised. You must know that Goldwasser is also an authoritative expert in cryptography and has seen a lot of big things in the world. Why is he so out of his mind today?
You just barged in without knocking, why are you trembling all over? Is this still the rigorous Goldwasser I know?
Are you on drugs? Haven't you heard that Goldwasser still has this bad habit?
Smoking marijuana? Doesn't that thing hurt your brain? Can people engaged in scientific research get involved?
Or did he really smoke it?
Professor Aardman subconsciously looked at Goldwasser’s exposed arm. There were no needle holes!
Could it be that someone drugged you?
She looks tall and burly, as strong as a Nordic giantess. If she was drugged, I, with my small frame as a comedian, would not be able to resist!
Professor Aardman thought quietly and took the paper handed over by Goldwasser.
"Concise non-interactive knowledge argument of zero knowledge? A paper on zero-knowledge proof!"
Then Professor Aardman started to read this paper.
When he saw the concept of "hypothetical knowledge", his expression became uneasy.
“This can become a security lock for zero-knowledge proofs. Zero-knowledge proofs can be widely used in cryptography!”
At this second, Professor Aardman couldn’t help but hold his hands. began to tremble. The next second, Professor Aardman finally understood why Goldwasser, who had always been rigorous, behaved so rudely!
If a new Mersenne prime number can derive many new secret key algorithms, then this paper is likely to subvert the entire cryptography!
It is originally a zero-knowledge proof. The proof process does not require the disclosure of any relevant information. Coupled with a security lock that assumes knowledge, it is difficult for Professor Aardman to figure out how to break through such an encryption method!
This is like asking you to do a question. It’s fine if you don’t know the answer. You don’t even know what the question is. Then a blank paper is given to you. Just do it!
What can this do? A piece of blank paper, you asked me to do the questions, are you kidding me?
However, Professor Adelman wanted to be more sophisticated after all. He suppressed the excitement in his heart and read the last paragraph of the paper patiently.
Then I got even more excited!
The last paragraph of the paper explores the potential use of concise and non-interactive zero-knowledge, and blockchain technology is mentioned here.
Before the emergence of Bitcoin, ordinary people had never heard of blockchain, let alone understood it.
But the academic world is different. Those who study computer science have actually noticed blockchain technology for a long time, and some people are trying to apply it.
As early as 1998, a decentralized electronic cash system was invented, and in 2004, the first electronic currency appeared. These are pioneers of blockchain technology.
But because of encryption problems, blockchain technology is just a castle in the air.
Whether it is an electronic cash system or electronic currency, if there is no way to ensure safety for anything related to money, then this thing is a waste!
At the end of this paper, the blockchain was directly named, which also made Professor Adelman realize that once this technology is widely used, the encryption problem of the blockchain will also be solved.
Obviously, the value of this paper is far from being as simple as it seems on the surface. It is likely to lead a revolution in cryptography and then trigger a digital revolution for mankind!
Thinking of this, Professor Adelman was completely shocked!
“Zero-knowledge proof is your research topic, and this paper was written by your student?” Professor Aardman asked.
"It was not written by my students." Goldwasser shook his head and continued: "You will never guess who the author of this paper is! It was written by the Chinese Zhang Wei! "
"Zhang Wei? Is he the one who discovered Mersenne prime numbers?" Professor Adelman was shocked.
“The last time we met, we talked about zero-knowledge proofs. At that time, I thought he was complimenting me, but I didn’t expect that he really had profound research in this area!” Goldwasser You opened your mouth and said.
"This Chinese will really surprise us! I thought he was just lucky and accidentally discovered a new method of calculating Mersenne prime numbers, but I didn't expect that he could have such a profound understanding of cryptography!"
Aardman took a deep breath, remained silent for a moment, and then asked: "What do you think about this paper?"
Goldwasser was also silent for a moment. , and then replied: "Professor, I want to sign my name!"
"Are you interested in the content of the paper?" Professor Aardman asked with a smile.
“It’s heartbeat, but not that kind!” Goldwasser took a deep breath and continued:
"Nineteen years ago, I proposed the concept of zero-knowledge proof. Nineteen years later, zero-knowledge proof finally has the possibility of large-scale application.
To me, this paper is like A mother attending her child’s bar mitzvah! ”
Goldwasser did not hide his thoughts.
“But the content of this paper is already very complete. Even I can’t make fundamental changes. So if you want to sign the paper, it may be difficult for you!” Aardman said. road.
“Then let’s find Zhang Wei and have a serious discussion? Give me a second author!”
"The second author also has to make a significant contribution to the paper, do you have one?" Adelman sighed, and then said: "Unless you can put forward revisions with core value to this paper. Can you put it forward? ?"
Goldwasser was silent for a moment and shook his head helplessly: "I can't mention it!"
"Then you still have the nerve to sign the paper? ?”
Big scholars are shameless. When Adelman said this, Goldwasser also felt a little embarrassed.
The paper copied by Zhang Wei is, after all, a published paper. It must have been reviewed by reviewers, who have put forward revision opinions and made targeted modifications.
It is really difficult to make modifications on this basis.
Looking at Goldwasser's embarrassed expression, Aardman couldn't bear it. He pondered for a moment and finally said;
"Well, I'll sign my name too. , both of us are the second authors, I guess Zhang Wei will consider this condition!”
Professor Aardman is a Turing Award winner, and the minimum for a scholar of this level is a signature! Corresponding author.
The Turing Award winner made a huge sacrifice by signing his name as the second author. This is tantamount to suppressing the dignity of scholars!
Goldwasser looked at Professor Adelman with gratitude, as if he were looking at his biological parents.
She wriggled her lips, and was about to sing: "My old father, I love you the most!"
Thank you for your subscription, and thank you for your support. Monthly ticket! These two chapters involve a lot of professional content, and I try my best to explain some concepts that everyone has never heard of in a simple way. It is really thanks to Andy Lau, thank you, Uncle Hua!
(End of this chapter)