Cryptography is the practice of secure communication in the presence of third parties. It uses mathematical algorithms to encode and decode data. Cryptography is used in a variety of applications, including email, file sharing, and secure communications.
There are two types of cryptography: symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetric cryptography uses the same key to encode and decode data. Asymmetric cryptography uses a different key to encode and decode data.
Cryptography is a vital tool for security. It is used to protect information from unauthorized access and to ensure the privacy of communications. Cryptography is also used to authenticate users and devices, and to prevent fraud and tampering.
There are many different types of cryptography, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular types of cryptography are:
- symmetric-key cryptography
- public-key cryptography
- hash functions
- digital signatures
- steganography
Symmetric-key cryptography is the most common type of cryptography. It uses a single key to both encode and decode data. The key must be known to both the sender and the receiver.
Public-key cryptography is a type of cryptography that uses two keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is known to everyone and is used to encode data. The private key is known only to the recipient and is used to decode data.
Hash functions are a type of cryptography that takes a piece of data and produces a fixed-size output. The output is known as a hash value or message digest. Hash functions are used to create digital signatures and to verify the integrity of data.
Digital signatures are a type of cryptography that uses a digital signature to authenticate the identity of the sender. A digital signature is a mathematical scheme that allows someone to sign a message with a digital key. The signature can be verified with the sender's public key.
Steganography is a type of cryptography that hides a message in another message. The hidden message can be text, images, or even audio. Steganography is used to protect information from being detected by third parties.
Now in this series, I will be explaining cryptography to its depths. I will also try to cover most of the Cryptography Techniques.