{"id":499,"date":"2017-04-10T13:42:40","date_gmt":"2017-04-10T20:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/konukoii.com\/blog\/?p=499"},"modified":"2018-02-25T00:22:25","modified_gmt":"2018-02-25T08:22:25","slug":"demystifying-cryptography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/konukoii.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/10\/demystifying-cryptography\/","title":{"rendered":"Demystifying Cryptography"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

To those not on the field, the word 'Cryptography<\/em>' seems to be surrounded by some intangible mysticism. Media references, whether it is on the news, TV shows, movies, or videogames, use it as a hacker-related term when talking about cyber-attacks. I'm willing to bet that most people are aware that they use cryptography on their day to day life, however it is often perceived as this strange mathematical veil that protects us from spies and hackers when we are trying to buy some stuff or log in to see our bank account online.\u00a0Yet who actually understands Cryptography? Well, clearly only geniuses in laboratories, hackers in dark basements, and 'James Bon<\/em>d'-style spies that are far more smarter than us mortals....<\/p>\n

* Pause for Dramatic Fanfare *<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

However, the dirty little secret of Cryptography is that 99% of it is dead simple algebra. In fact, a cryptographic scheme that uses really complicated math will often be looked down upon because:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Complex calculations take time and make for inefficient implementations on computer software\/hardware.<\/li>\n
  • Complex calculations can obscure the scheme to a point where it is mathematically hard to prove it's security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    So at the end of the day, the schemes that end up working are actually dead simple. That isn't to say that coming up with the scheme is easy (That requires a lot of mathematical studies), however understanding the actual schemes tends to be easier than you would think.<\/p>\n

    So allow me, as an enthusiastic student of the field, to take you through an interesting tour of Cryptography. In this Crypto 101, I'm going to quickly give you a\u00a0general overview of the field, and teach you the intuition behind the actual schemes you use on a day to day basis.<\/p>\n

    * Follow me for more crypto\/hacking content!<\/em>
    \nFollow @konukoii<\/a><\/p>\n