# Thought experiment on protocols and noise

DevFeed: [Thought experiment on protocols and noise](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/thought-experiment-on-protocols-and-noise-36634.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://rdist.root.org/2014/11/04/thought-experiment-on-protocols-and-noise/>)

Author: Nate Lawson

Published: 2014-11-04T18:42:52Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [rdist](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/rdist.md>)

Topics: [Security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/security.md>), [Protocol (disambiguation)](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/protocol.md>), [sha-256](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/sha-256.md>), [hash](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/hash.md>)

Tags: [crypto](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/crypto.md>), [hash](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hash.md>), [hmac](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hmac.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [protocol](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/protocol.md>), [protocols](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/protocols.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [sha-256](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sha-256.md>)

## AI overview

A security thought experiment examines how to respond when an HMAC does not verify, including whether comparing MAC differences could distinguish network noise from tampering. It questions the security risks of exposing error details or accepting messages with altered MAC bits.

## Source excerpt

I hesitate to call this an interview question because I don't think on-the-spot puzzle solving equates to a good engineering hire. On the other hand, I try to explore some simple thought experiments with candidates that have a security background. One of these involves a protocol that has messages authenticated by an HMAC. There's a message ... Continue reading Thought experiment on protocols and noise