This isn't necessarily the case. It really depends on the encryption mechanism used.

For instance, 40-bit encryption for SSL was cracked in '95 or '96. However true 128-bit encryption would still take millions of years. 40-bit was still in a range where it could be brute forced (started out as 100 computers in 8 days and shrunk from there). 128-bit hasn't reached a point where brute forcing it is conceivable (unless possibly you're the NSA or some group like that and even still... which is why they've asked for backdoors in encryption algorithms that are too costly to crack).

K. Brian Kelley

http://www.truthsolutions.com/

Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1