Cryptography: The Art of Secure Communication

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Cryptography is a technique of securing information and communications through the use of codes so that only those persons for whom the information is intended can understand and process it.It ensures data confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation in digital communication. Cryptography is fundamental to securing sensitive information in modern technologies.

Types of Cryptography:

1. Symmetric Cryptography: In this, the information is being encrypted and decrypted through the same key.

• Advantages: Fast and efficient for encrypting large amounts of data.
• Limitation: Key distribution can be challenging in a large system.

2. Asymmetric Cryptography: The encryption and decryption both happen using two separate keys. Public key for encryption and private key for decryption.

• Advantages: Simplifies secure key distribution.
• Limitation: Slower compared to symmetric cryptography.

Application in Modern Communication:

1. SSL/TLS (Secure Layer/Transport Layer Security): Ensures secure communication over the internet by encrypting data exchanged between browsers and servers.
2. Blockchain Technology: Cryptographic hashing ensures data integrity and irreversibility.
3. Email Encryption: PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) uses asymmetric cryptography to secure email communication.

Cryptography is at the core of securing modern digital communication, securing everything from personal messages to financial transactions. With the fast-passing world of cyber threats, cryptography is a must.