ThinExIdruga

ThinExIdruga is a fictional framework in the field of information security and cryptography. It describes a minimal, low-bandwidth identity verification protocol intended for devices with severe resource constraints. The design focuses on thin data exchange, aiming to confirm user identity with as little communication as possible while preserving security guarantees.

Origin and name. The term ThinExIdruga was coined by a fictional research collective and appears in unpublished drafts from the Idruga Institute. The name combines Thin, to indicate low data requirements, Ex for exchange, and Idruga as a coined suffix used in related projects.

Core characteristics. The protocol relies on lightweight cryptographic primitives and aims to support zero-knowledge style properties, with either non-interactive or semi-interactive challenge-response. It emphasizes probabilistic verification and uses precomputed commitments to reduce online computation. The approach seeks to minimize energy consumption, bandwidth, and processing load on constrained hardware.

Applications and status. ThinExIdruga is proposed for Internet of Things devices, sensor networks, and embedded systems where traditional authentication is impractical. As a fictional construct, it has not been implemented in real systems and remains a theoretical or pedagogical example. Scholars discuss potential security trade-offs, latency implications, and assumptions about threat models in evaluating its viability.

See also. Related concepts include zero-knowledge proofs, lightweight cryptography, and authentication protocols used in constrained environments.