1 Introduction

This chapter covers:

What cryptography is about.
The difference between theoretical cryptography and real world cryptography.
What you will learn throughout this adventure.

Greetings traveler,

Sit tight as you’re about to enter a world of wonders and mystery — the world of cryptography. Cryptography is the ancient discipline of securing the unfortunate situations that are troubled with malicious characters. In order to do so, many spells exist, spells you will have to master. Many have been there to learn the craft, but few have survived the challenges that stand in the way. Many exciting adventures await you. We’ll uncover how cryptographic algorithms can secure communications, identify our allies, protect treasures from our enemies. Many great lessons you will learn, but difficult it will be to sail straight through the cryptographic seas. As cryptography is the foundation of all security in our world, the slightest mistake could be deadly.

Remember

If you find yourself lost, keep moving forward. It will all eventually make sense.

1.1 A Peek Into the World of Cryptography

Our journey starts here, with an introduction to cryptography, the science behind protecting protocols that adversaries could actively attempt to sabotage.

1 Introduction

This chapter covers:

Remember

1.1 A Peek Into the World of Cryptography

1.1.1 Symmetric Cryptography: Symmetric Encryption

1.1.2 Kerckhoff’s Principle: Only the Key is Kept Secret

1.1.3 Asymmetric Cryptography

1.1.4 A Map of Cryptography

1.1.5 Two Goals: Confidentiality and Authentication

1.2 Real World Cryptography

1.2.1 Theoretical Cryptography Versus Real World Cryptography

1.2.2 From Theoretical to Practical

1.3 A Word of Warning

1.4 Summary