Ask HN: I might have invented a new protocol. What now?
I believe I've invented a new cryptographic protocol which is related to anonymity. However, I am merely a software engineer (b.sc), and my experience in academic publishing is nil, and other than a basic university cryptographic course, I have no formal or systematic background in cryptography. My cryptographic knowledge is basic, practical and self taught.
I acknowledge that this might simply be a form of "Dunning-Kruger effect", and that my idea has already been considered and/or has fatal flaws. It did pass the sanity tests of my own reasoning and my friends' with whom I shared it, and extensive online search revealed nothing similar. But still, I would like to hear the opinion of experts in the field.
I do not wish to gain profit, but I do wish to be given the credit if it is indeed novel.
I believe I am capable of writing a detailed paper explaining the protocol, the threat model, etc. (and I've started to learn LaTeX) However, the paper would likely lack the proper citations of prior work because I have no formal background and am not sufficiently familiar with academia.
What do I do next? Dump the idea on the net? Contact some local university? (and if so, how would that work?)? Put it in a journal? (again, how?)
Suggestions are appreciated!