Cryptography is an effective method for protecting data and information. This technique relies on encryption algorithms to encode and decode messages so they are only read by their intended recipients.
To help illustrate what Cryptography is, let's use an everyday example from modern life: Sam wishes to reach his friend Yary living abroad but fears being eavesdropped upon. Therefore he opts for public platforms such as Skype or WhatsApp in order to send his message.
But if Evy, an immoral hacker, gains access to this communication channel, she could alter or corrupt its contents, which would prove harmful to both Samuel and Yary.
Should this occur, both would suffer as they both would lose out on crucial trade secrets.
Cryptography offers an effective solution to this dilemma.
Encryption has long been used as a way of protecting information from being read by unapproved parties, first coined in Ancient Greece under the name kryptos (meaning hidden or hidden away).
Cryptography has become an essential component of computer security, helping ensure message confidentiality as well as verifying senders and recipients identities.
Cryptography plays an integral part in various applications, from e-commerce and banking systems, military communications, user-to-user messaging services and basic messaging platforms, all the way through to protecting privacy, reducing credit card fraud and safeguarding personal details.