In computer science, cryptography refers to secure information and communication techniques derived from mathematical concepts and a set of rule-based calculations called algorithms, to transform messages in ways that are hard to decipher. These deterministic algorithms are used for cryptographic key generation, digital signing, verification to protect data privacy, web browsing on the internet and confidential communications such as credit card transactions and email.
Cryptography is closely related to the disciplines of cryptology and cryptanalysis. It includes techniques such as microdots, merging words with images and other ways to hide information in storage or transit. However, in today's computer-centric world, cryptography is most often associated with scrambling plaintext (ordinary text, sometimes referred to as cleartext) into ciphertext (a process called encryption), then back again (known as decryption). Individuals who practice this field are known as cryptographers.
WHAT IS CRYPTOGRAPHY
Single-key or symmetric-key encryption algorithms create a fixed length of bits known as a block cipher with a secret key that the creator/sender uses to encipher data (encryption) and the receiver uses to decipher it. One example of symmetric-key cryptography is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES is a specification established in November 2001 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS 197) to protect sensitive information. The standard is mandated by the U.S. government and widely used in the private sector.
To maintain data integrity in cryptography, hash functions, which return a deterministic output from an input value, are used to map data to a fixed data size. Types of cryptographic hash functions include SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1), SHA-2 and SHA-3.
Attackers can bypass cryptography, hack into computers that are responsible for data encryption and decryption, and exploit weak implementations, such as the use of default keys. However, cryptography makes it harder for attackers to access messages and data protected by encryption algorithms.
Growing concerns about the processing power of quantum computing to break current cryptography encryption standards led NIST to put out a call for papers among the mathematical and science community in 2016 for new public key cryptography standards.
The origin of cryptography is usually dated from about 2000 B.C., with the Egyptian practice of hieroglyphics. These consisted of complex pictograms, the full meaning of which was only known to an elite few.
In recent times, cryptography has turned into a battleground of some of the world's best mathematicians and computer scientists. The ability to securely store and transfer sensitive information has proved a critical factor in success in war and business.
Because governments do not want certain entities in and out of their countries to have access to ways to receive and send hidden information that may be a threat to national interests, cryptography has been subject to various restrictions in many countries, ranging from limitations of the usage and export of software to the public dissemination of mathematical concepts that could be used to develop cryptosystems.
However, the internet has allowed the spread of powerful programs and, more importantly, the underlying techniques of cryptography, so that today many of the most advanced cryptosystems and ideas are now in the public domain.
Asymmetric (or public-key) cryptography consists of a broad set of algorithms. These are based on mathematical problems that are relatively easy to perform in one direction, but which cannot be easily reversed.
Hybrid encryption uses the unique properties of public-key cryptography for exchanging secret information over an untrusted channel with the efficiency of symmetric encryption. This achieves a practical end-to-end solution for data privacy.
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system, rather than by a centralized authority. Cryptocurrency is an example of an application of cryptography.
You can also check out the Amazon Science Blog and the AWS Security Blog. There we detail what we're doing to develop, benchmark and prototype cryptographic research. We write about cryptographic computing, post-quantum cryptography, verified cryptographic code, and more.
You can purchase cryptocurrency from popular crypto exchanges such as Coinbase, apps such as Cash App, or through brokers. Another popular way to invest in cryptocurrencies is through financial derivatives, such as CME's Bitcoin futures, or other instruments, such as Bitcoin trusts and ETFs."}},"@type": "Question","name": "What Is the Point of Cryptocurrency?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Cryptocurrencies are a new paradigm for money. They promise to streamline existing financial architecture to make it faster and cheaper. In addition, their technology and architecture decentralize existing monetary systems and make it possible for transacting parties to exchange value and money independently of intermediary institutions such as banks.","@type": "Question","name": "What Are the Most Popular Cryptocurrencies?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency, followed by other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Binance Coin, Solana, and Cardano.","@type": "Question","name": "Are Cryptocurrencies Securities?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "In the past, the SEC has said that Bitcoin and Ethereum, the top two cryptocurrencies by market cap, were not securities. In September 2022, SEC Chair Gary Gensler stated he believes cryptocurrencies are securities and has asked SEC staff to begin working with crypto developers to register their crypto. However, he also clarified that he did not speak on behalf of the SEC; he was only speaking for himself. He encouraged those starting in the crypto space to register their crypto in the spirit of getting ahead because "It's far less costly to do so from the outset.""]}]}] EducationGeneralDictionaryEconomicsCorporate FinanceRoth IRAStocksMutual FundsETFs401(k)Investing/TradingInvesting EssentialsFundamental AnalysisPortfolio ManagementTrading EssentialsTechnical AnalysisRisk ManagementNewsCompany NewsMarkets NewsCryptocurrency NewsPersonal Finance NewsEconomic NewsGovernment NewsSimulatorYour MoneyPersonal FinanceWealth ManagementBudgeting/SavingBankingCredit CardsHome OwnershipRetirement PlanningTaxesInsuranceReviews & RatingsBest Online BrokersBest Savings AccountsBest Home WarrantiesBest Credit CardsBest Personal LoansBest Student LoansBest Life InsuranceBest Auto InsuranceAdvisorsYour PracticePractice ManagementFinancial Advisor CareersInvestopedia 100Wealth ManagementPortfolio ConstructionFinancial PlanningAcademyPopular CoursesInvesting for BeginnersBecome a Day TraderTrading for BeginnersTechnical AnalysisCourses by TopicAll CoursesTrading CoursesInvesting CoursesFinancial Professional CoursesSubmitTable of ContentsExpandTable of ContentsWhat Is Cryptocurrency?Understanding CryptocurrenciesTypes of CryptocurrencyAre Cryptocurrencies Legal?Cryptocurrency SafetyAdvantages and DisadvantagesCryptocurrency FAQsThe Bottom LineInvestopediaCryptocurrencyCryptocurrency Explained With Pros and Cons for InvestmentLearn what you need to know before you invest in a virtual currency
Cryptography is the process of hiding or coding information so that only the person a message was intended for can read it. The art of cryptography has been used to code messages for thousands of years and continues to be used in bank cards, computer passwords, and ecommerce.
Modern cryptography techniques include algorithms and ciphers that enable the encryption and decryption of information, such as 128-bit and 256-bit encryption keys. Modern ciphers, such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), are considered virtually unbreakable.
A common cryptography definition is the practice of coding information to ensure only the person that a message was written for can read and process the information. This cybersecurity practice, also known as cryptology, combines various disciplines like computer science, engineering, and mathematics to create complex codes that hide the true meaning of a message.
Cryptography remains important to protecting data and users, ensuring confidentiality, and preventing cyber criminals from intercepting sensitive corporate information. Common uses and examples of cryptography include the following:
Individuals and organizations use cryptography on a daily basis to protect their privacy and keep their conversations and data confidential. Cryptography ensures confidentiality by encrypting sent messages using an algorithm with a key only known to the sender and recipient. A common example of this is the messaging tool WhatsApp, which encrypts conversations between people to ensure they cannot be hacked or intercepted.
Similar to how cryptography can confirm the authenticity of a message, it can also prove the integrity of the information being sent and received. Cryptography ensures information is not altered while in storage or during transit between the sender and the intended recipient. For example, digital signatures can detect forgery or tampering in software distribution and financial transactions.
Secret key cryptography, also known as symmetric encryption, uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt a message. The sender encrypts the plaintext message using the key and sends it to the recipient who then uses the same key to decrypt it and unlock the original plaintext message. 2ff7e9595c
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