The flaw came to light by analysing more than seven million public keys which are used to secure online transactions, email messages and other web services.
The researchers discovered that a flaw in the process for generating random prime numbers – a critical component of the public key encryption – resulted in thousands of public keys sharing common prime numbers.

"What surprised us most is that many thousands of 1024-bit RSA moduli, including thousands that are contained in still valid X.509 certificates, offer no security at all," the research paper states.

Well, not exactly <em>no</em> security. Just rather less than immense security.

"A developer who specializes in the Bitcoin digital currency says he was sent back to China last week after he arrived at Sea-Tac Airport with only $600 in cash and wasn’t able to convince U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents that he would be able to fund his two-month visit using Bitcoin.<br />
"The developer, who goes by the alias “Doctor Nefario,” identifies himself as the founder of the Global Bitcoin Stock Exchange."<br />
<br />
Would have loved to be a fly on the wall during that interview.