Cryptography (nonfiction): Difference between revisions

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'''Cryptography''' (or '''cryptology'''; from Greek ''κρυπτός'' kryptós, "hidden, secret"; and ''γράφειν'' graphein, "writing", or ''-λογία'' -logia, "study", respectively) is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties (called adversaries).
[[File:Crypto_de_la_buse.jpg|thumb|"Cryptogramme du Forban" trouvé à l'île Mahé. C'est un message chiffré, lancé dans la foule par le pirate La Buse montant au supplice, qui révélerait l'emplacement de ses trésors (Bibliothèque Nationale).]]'''Cryptography''' (or '''cryptology'''; from Greek ''κρυπτός'' kryptós, "hidden, secret"; and ''γράφειν'' graphein, "writing", or ''-λογία'' -logia, "study", respectively) is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties (called adversaries).
 
== Description ==


More generally, it is about constructing and analyzing protocols that block adversaries.
More generally, it is about constructing and analyzing protocols that block adversaries.


Cryptography is central to various aspects of [[information security (nonfiction)]], including:
Modern cryptography exists at the intersection of the disciplines of [[mathematics (nonfiction)|mathematics]], computer science, and electrical engineering.
 
* Data confidentiality
* Data integrity
* Data authentication
* Data non-repudiation
 
Modern cryptography exists at the intersection of the disciplines of [[mathematics (nonfiction)]], computer science, and electrical engineering.


Applications of cryptography include ATM cards, computer passwords, and electronic commerce.
Cryptography prior to the modern age was effectively synonymous with encryption, the conversion of information from a readable state to apparent nonsense.
 
== Early cryptography ==
 
Cryptography prior to the modern age was effectively synonymous with [[encryption (nonfiction)]], the conversion of information from a readable state to apparent nonsense.


The originator of an encrypted message shared the decoding technique needed to recover the original information only with intended recipients, thereby precluding unwanted persons from doing the same.
The originator of an encrypted message shared the decoding technique needed to recover the original information only with intended recipients, thereby precluding unwanted persons from doing the same.


== Modern cryptography ==
Since World War I and the advent of the [[computer (nonfiction)|computer]], the methods used to carry out cryptology have become increasingly complex and its application more widespread.


Since World War I and the advent of the [[computer (nonfiction)]], the methods used to carry out cryptology have become increasingly complex and its application more widespread.
== Fiction cross-reference ==


Modern cryptography is heavily based on mathematical theory and computer science practice.
* [[Cryptographic numen]]
 
* [[Casio + N = CasiNo]]
Cryptographic algorithms are designed around computational hardness assumptions, making such algorithms hard to break in practice by any adversary.


== Nonfiction cross-reference ==
== Nonfiction cross-reference ==
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* [[Information security (nonfiction)]]
* [[Information security (nonfiction)]]
* [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]]
* [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]]
== Fiction cross-reference ==
* [[Cryptographic numen]]
* [[Casio + N = CasiNo]]


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 05:32, 11 June 2016

"Cryptogramme du Forban" trouvé à l'île Mahé. C'est un message chiffré, lancé dans la foule par le pirate La Buse montant au supplice, qui révélerait l'emplacement de ses trésors (Bibliothèque Nationale).

Cryptography (or cryptology; from Greek κρυπτός kryptós, "hidden, secret"; and γράφειν graphein, "writing", or -λογία -logia, "study", respectively) is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties (called adversaries).

More generally, it is about constructing and analyzing protocols that block adversaries.

Modern cryptography exists at the intersection of the disciplines of mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering.

Cryptography prior to the modern age was effectively synonymous with encryption, the conversion of information from a readable state to apparent nonsense.

The originator of an encrypted message shared the decoding technique needed to recover the original information only with intended recipients, thereby precluding unwanted persons from doing the same.

Since World War I and the advent of the computer, the methods used to carry out cryptology have become increasingly complex and its application more widespread.

Fiction cross-reference

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links