What is the meaning of cryptography?

The process of creating and utilizing coded algorithms to conceal and safeguard transmitted data so that only those with the authorization and skills to decrypt it can read it is known as cryptography. Stated differently, communications are hidden via cryptography, making them unreadable by outsiders.

The significance of cryptography

Cryptography is essential to modern digital life because it protects sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, e-commerce transactions, and even WhatsApp chats, from prying eyes. 

Advanced cryptography plays a critical role in preserving national security by protecting sensitive data from adversaries and other threat actors.

Typical applications of cryptography

Here are a few of the most typical applications of cryptography.

  • Passwords: Cryptography is often used to both obscure stored passwords and verify the validity of passwords. Services can validate credentials in this fashion, avoiding the need to maintain a plain-text password database that could be compromised by hackers.
  • Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are based on sophisticated data encryptions that need a lot of processing power to crack. By means of these decryption procedures, fresh coins are “minted” and put into use. Advanced cryptography is also necessary for cryptocurrencies in order to secure wallets, confirm transactions, and stop fraud.
  • safe online surfing: Cryptography shields users from interceptions and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks when they browse secure websites. The Transport Layer and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

FAQ’s

What’s cryptography? 

Imagine sending a message in a language only your friend understands. Cryptography is like that, but for the digital world. It uses codes and algorithms to scramble data, making it unreadable to anyone without the special key to unlock it. This keeps your sensitive information, like credit card details or online chats, safe from prying eyes.

Why is cryptography so important? 

In today’s digital world, where everything from online banking to medical records is stored electronically, cryptography plays a critical role. It acts as a security guard, protecting your data from unauthorized access. Imagine your bank account info falling into the wrong hands! Cryptography ensures only authorized individuals can see your information.

Where do we see cryptography in action?

Cryptography is working behind the scenes whenever you use the internet securely. Think about those little padlocks you see next to website addresses? Those indicate a secure connection using cryptography (like HTTPS) to scramble data between your device and the website. This protects your information from being intercepted by hackers.

Is there anything else cryptography is used for? 

Cryptography has many applications beyond secure browsing. It’s used in:

  • Passwords: Websites store your passwords in a scrambled format using cryptography, making them unreadable even if hackers break into their database.
  • Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin rely on cryptography to secure transactions and prevent counterfeiting.

Email Encryption: You can use cryptography to send emails that only the intended recipient can read.