In order for the client to know whether they are using the desired (expected) information (e.g., website), there must be some mechanism in place to assure integrity. Since 1990 and the use of the Internet, confidentiality has become more and more important. If you talk with your friend about a sensitive matter, you want your conversation to be kept in confidence. Around 1990, the use of the Internet was getting bigger and things such as online transactions had to be encrypted.Įvery single time someone makes a phone call, sends a message, purchases something online or even at the store with your credit card, cryptography is used, in fact all of these everyday appliances would be very insecure without encryption.Ĭonfidentiality is the protection of personal information. They can only be decrypted with the help of computers.

Today we use very complicated algorithms and keys (see chapter 3.24) to encrypt information and our brain power is not sufficient enough to decrypt these new encryption methods.

Not so long ago we were able to decrypt some ciphers with a pen and paper. If an eavesdropper were to get hold of the message they should not be able to read the contents.Įncryption has evolved drastically over the years. For instance, you can encrypt a message and then send it to a friend, who can decrypt the message and then read the contents. Decryption turns the hidden and protected ciphertext into readable plain text. The ancient Greeks are also known to have used very simple ciphers.Įncryption is a process converts data into ciphertext so that it can be safely stored or sent and then decrypted. The first signs of cryptography were discovered in Egypt, where non-standard hieroglyphs carved into monuments have been found. They were not very sophisticated and were done with pen and paper or really basic mechanical aids. Early encryption methods are known as classical cryptography. Foundations The origin of cryptographyĬryptography began thousands of years ago as a way of hiding, encrypting and protecting secrets.

Fialka encryption machine