Cryptography is a method that protects communication by transforming plain text into ciphertext. It uses many algorithms and protocols to ensure the data is protected and confidential. Doing this also ensures that integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation are conserved. This article will look into different types of Cryptography, and more about Cryptography.
Basics Of Cryptography?
It is a process of keeping the information secure by using different codes which is to make sure that the information is communicated to those whom it can understand and can process it. This transformation of words and changing them to codes will help to neglect any unauthorized access to the information. The word itself gives out what it explains as in the prefix “crypt” which means “hidden” and the suffix part “graphy” which means “writing”. In Cryptography, the information is secured by various techniques and these are from complex algorithms that are created with concepts of maths and many other calculations. This complex converted message or information thus becomes more complex to decode. To generate Cryptographic keys, these complex algorithms are used and they are using for digital signing, browsing, and protecting confidential transactions which include credit and debit cards. Some of the benefits possessed by cryptography are mentioned next section.
Benefits Of Cryptography
Cryptography provides crucial advantages in securing digital information, offering solutions to various security challenges in today’s interconnected world. They are
- Security: Information can only be accessed by those whom it receives.
- Ethical: There is no scope for modification of the message or the information.
- Validation: The identity of the sender and the receiver is confirmed and the information is also confirmed and validated.
- Compatibility: It provides secure connection and communication with various systems and platforms.
- Versatility: It can easily adapt to any situation and can evolve to become ahead of any security problems.
Types Of Cryptography
Cryptography can be broadly categorized into two types: symmetric key cryptography and asymmetric key cryptography.
- Symmetric Key Cryptography: An encryption system that means both the sender and receiver use only one common key for encrypting and decrypting messages. Because the keys used by the sender and receiver are the same, it has to be exchanged securely. Popular examples are Data Encryption Systems (DES) and Advanced Encryption Systems (AES).
- Asymmetric Key Cryptography: Uses two keys to encrypt and decrypt information rather than a single key. The public key of the sender encrypts the message, and the private key of the receiver decrypts it. The RSA algorithm is the most famous Asymmetric key cryptography algorithm.
Features Of Symmetric Key Cryptography and Asymmetric Key Cryptography
| Symmetric Key Cryptography | Asymmetric Key Cryptography |
|---|---|
| Also known as secret key cryptography. | Also known as Public key cryptography. |
| It is best used for bulk encryptions. | Predominantly used for exchanging secret keys of symmetric cryptography. |
| Only uses less computational power which ensures faster transfer. | Processing and execution are very time-consuming. |
| It has a major role in authenticating website servers. |
How Cryptography Works In Blockchain?
Cryptography is a process of protecting data from other unwanted access. In the blockchain, it is used to protect the transaction that happens between two nodes in a blockchain network. The messages are encrypted in a P2P network and the hashing will protect the information of the block and link blocks in a blockchain.
Cryptography mainly focuses on the security of the transaction, and the participants act as a guard against double-spending. It secures various transactions in the blockchain network.
Role Of Cryptography In Blockchain
Cryptography plays a vital role in blockchain technology. They are listed below
- The main purpose is the security that it provides for user’s privacy and transactions.
- It includes symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption as its core technology.
- Asymmetric cryptography ensures that data is not corrupted by recording every transaction in a block that is signed by the sender.
Hash Function Of Cryptography In Blockchain
Hashing is one of the unavoidable uses of cryptography. It creates stability in the blockchain. It does not use any kind of keys in the encryption process. Once a transaction is verified to be a hash algorithm it is added to the block, and then a new hash is added from the original transaction to the block.
Hash Functions
It is the procedure of taking a key and banding it with a specific value. It ensures the durability of data is maintained in both the encryption and decryption phases of cryptography. Because this is used in the database, it can be found more quickly. It changes a key or digital signature, and then this value is transferred to the receiver, who uses this function to make the hash value and compare it with what they got from the sender.
Benefits Of Hash Functions In Blockchain
- It limits the bandwidth of the transaction.
- No modification in the data block is allowed by the hash algorithm.
- Because of the verification process, the transaction becomes much easier.
Also Read: Blockchain Finality Explained: Why It Matters for Security And Efficiency
Conclusion
Cryptography is very important to convert texts to ciphertext to protect the data and communication by using several techniques. Cryptography holds the key systems of both symmetric and asymmetric cryptography. It also encompasses hash functions which are very important in applications like computer security, digital currency, and electronic signatures. Cryptography provides strong security against outside accesses and attacks at the same time it helps to develop action ahead of new risks and advances in technology.
