While other "unbreakable" codes have been developed in the past few years, the latest one, developed by Professor Michael Rabin, represents the first one that is provably uncrackable.

Rabin, who backs up his claims with mathematics, reportedly said the code is also efficient, adding that adversaries trying to crack it are "helpless."

The code, which uses disappearing keys, also employs decoding formulas that are not stored, further hindering efforts to break it. However, some analysts say only the test of time can tell whether this or any other code is unbreakable.

Invisible Encoding

Most coding systems use keys, or mathematical algorithms, to encode and decode messages sent electronically over the Internet, including e-mail. The code developed by Rabin and his assistant, student Yan Zong Bing, uses a stream of random numbers that disappear when the message is encrypted, effectively hiding the decoding mechanism.

Some in the encryption business say codes are already secure enough, but others claim a system such as Rabin's could keep messages permanently encrypted and more secure.

Time Will Tell

An expert who spoke to NewsFactor Network said it is hard to foresee what will happen to computer code in the future.

"Most codes, if you have the computer and the computer time, you can break," said Bob Hughes, president of Atlanta, Georgia-based Guarded.net. "The codes are getting more and more complex; but really, what was unbreakable a few years ago is now breakable."

Hughes also told NewsFactor that it is hard to prove a code will remain unbreakable in the future.

"Proving that a code cannot be broken takes time," he said. "Over years of operation, people will throw a number of different things at it. It is hard to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a code cannot be broken."

Security Over Speed

Rabin, who says he created the code for the challenge and not for commercial gain, contends the unbreakable code is also efficient.

Hughes, whose company provides security and encryption services for large businesses such as banks and other financial institutions, called the new code significant, but said he was somewhat skeptical regarding its efficiency in the real world of computer security.

"An important aspect, as an algorithm is produced, is how fast it can be processed," Hughes said. "That is a factor. People can make complex codes, but they're not usable."

Hughes said government and financial organizations may be willing to sacrifice efficiency and speed for complete security, but that is not the case in business.

"This latest code would probably be used in an environment of higher security, and not in general usage," Hughes said.