What is Cryptography
Cryptography is the art and science of secret writing. The term is
derived from the Greek language
- krytos - secret
- graphos - writing
Encryption is the actual process of
applying cryptography. Much of cryptography is math oriented and uses
patterns and algorithms to encrypt messages, text, words, signals and
other forms of communication.
Cryptography has many uses, especially
in the areas of espionage, intelligence and military operations. Today,
many security systems and companies use cryptography to transfer
information over the Internet or radio for fears of interception. Some
of this encryption is highly advanced, however even simple encryption
techniques can help uphold the privacy of any everyday person.
The term cryptography also meant the
breaking of encrypted messages until the early 1920s, when the concept
of Cryptanalysis began being used and is now practically an art
and science all on its own.
The two main areas of cryptography are
Cipher and Code.
Cipher Vs. Code
Code is one of the two major methods of cryptography. This method
involves the replacement of complete words or phrases by code words or
numbers.
Cipher is the other major method of
cryptography. This works on the principal of replacing individual
letters by other numbers or letter.
More on Code: Most people believe that
cipher encryption is harder to break than code encryption. This is not
fully the truth. In fact, in code encryption one may have R4D7 meaning I
and T600 mean Love and 63U0 meaning You. The code encrypted message
would be "RD47 T600 63U0". Since, these codes are not based on any kind
of patterns, it is almost impossible to figure out, unless you have a
code book or you have mutually originated the codes with others. An
example of simple code is the one use on CB radios (eg. ten4, ten30,
etc.)
More on Cipher: Since Cipher encryption
is based on the replacement of single characters, with other characters
and are often based on complex mathematical operations, just looking at
the code is discouraging enough to shy of individuals from trying to
figure out what it means. An example is: Let's say you replace the 26
letters of the alphabet, marking A-Z off from 1-26. Then you add 5 to
each (A would be 6 in this case). To encrypt "I Love You" , you get "14
17202710 302026". This is simple cipher encryption and can be easily
broken, nevertheless the result is a totally meaningless number (to the
normal eye). Cipher encryption can be produced by hand as it was in the
example above. However, since the second world war there have been
machines and computers programmed to produce messages using complex
algorithms and patterns. There is also the use of a Cipher Key, which is
basically a password. The computer can only decrypt the message if the
password is the same one used when a message was encrypted. This because
the patterns the program uses to encrypt are based on the characters of
the password itself. The problem is that, one would only need to know
the password to decode the message.
Cipher encryption has more real life
applications today, then does code encryption. This is because it is
easier to reproduce a program that can cipher and decipher, than it is
for a person to learn and memorize a full book of codes. However, both
are very good tools for security and privacy purposes. In today's
high-tech computer world, cipher encryption programs exist that can
protect your files. Visit here for the latest in encryption software
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