Oh these researchers don't understand PR (public relations). Here's an amusing way they could get one hundred fold the publicity that they're getting now without (technically) lying.
They cracked 12720 RSA keys. They could reveal the secret modulus in half the cases (6360 RSA keys) without giving away any indication of how they're doing it.
What they could have done is set up a website titled "RSA Cracker" which reveals one key every 3 minutes over a 2 week period.
At the end of 2 weeks, they could shut down the website without explanation.
Can you imagine the media frenzy that would ensue?
They cracked 12720 RSA keys. They could reveal the secret modulus in half the cases (6360 RSA keys) without giving away any indication of how they're doing it.
What they could have done is set up a website titled "RSA Cracker" which reveals one key every 3 minutes over a 2 week period.
At the end of 2 weeks, they could shut down the website without explanation.
Can you imagine the media frenzy that would ensue?