References:
@Easttom2022: This page will (for the moment) mainly follow the content of this book.
Main notions
Taken from @Easttom2022.
Plain text
The original message.
Cipher
A synonym for the algorithm used in transforming plain text to cipher text.
Cipher text
The coded or encrypted message. If your encryption is sufficiently strong, your cipher text should be secure.
Decipher (decrypt)
Decipher and decrypt are synonyms. Both terms mean to convert the cipher text to plain text.
Encipher (encrypt)
Encipher and encrypt are synonyms. Both words mean to convert the plain text into cipher text.
Key
The information, usually some sort of number, used with the algorithm to encrypt or decrypt the message.
Key space
The total number of possible keys that could be used. For example, DES uses a
Cryptography
The study of how to alter a message so that someone intercepting it cannot read it without the appropriate algorithm and key.
Cryptanalysis
Also known as code breaking; the study of principles and methods of deciphering cipher text without knowing the key.
Cryptology
Although some people, including more than a few cybersecurity books, use the terms cryptography and cryptology interchangeably, that is inaccurate. Cryptology is more comprehensive and includes both cryptography and cryptanalysis.
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