Cryptography: The Key to Digital Security, How It Works, and Why It Matters [Hardback]

A nuts-and-bolts introduction to cryptography by the leading information security expert and author of Everyday Cryptography provides essential coverage of subjects ranging from Wi-Fi networks and online retailers to credit bureaus and data breaches.

"A nuts-and-bolts explainer book that explores what cryptography does, how it keeps us secure in cyberspace, and why it is so controversial. Though we may not see it, cryptography plays a critical role in our everyday lives, from the movies we stream andour Google searches to even opening our car doors with electronic key fobs. Broadly defined as a set of tools for establishing the basic elements of security in cyberspace, cryptography enables us to keep secrets and determine who we are talking to, as well as to detect changes to information. It underpins the security of mobile phone calls, card payments, web connections, internet messaging, and bitcoin transactions-in short, everything we do online. Yet, while we all rely crucially on encryption technology for our personal security, it is not without controversy. By preventing access to information in cyberspace, cryptography can hamper criminal investigations and obstruct national security efforts, and when deployed with ransomware it can even be usedas a means of attacking computers. In this book, information security expert Keith Martin illuminates the many functions of cryptography and how we use it, leaving readers with a profound perspective on their own personal security"--

Despite its reputation as a language only of spies and hackers, cryptography plays a critical role in our everyday lives. Though often invisible, it underpins the security of our mobile phone calls, credit card payments, web searches, internet messaging, and cryptocurrencies—in short, everything we do online. Increasingly, it also runs in the background of our smart refrigerators, thermostats, electronic car keys, and even the cars themselves. As our daily devices get smarter, cyberspace—home to all the networks that connect them—grows.Broadly defined as a set of tools for establishing security in this expanding cyberspace, cryptography enables us to protect and share our information. Understanding the basics of cryptography is the key to recognizing the significance of the security technologies we encounter every day, which will then help us respond to them.What are the implications of connecting to an unprotected Wi-Fi network? Is it really so important to have different passwords for different accounts? Is it safe to submit sensitive personal information to a given app, or to convert money to bitcoin? In clear, concise writing, information security expert Keith Martin answers all these questions and more, revealing the many crucial ways we all depend on cryptographic technology. He demystifies its controversial applications and the nuances behind alarming headlines about data breaches at banks, credit bureaus, and online retailers. We learn, for example, how cryptography can hamper criminal investigations and obstruct national security efforts, and how increasingly frequent ransomware attacks put personal information at risk. Yet we also learn why responding to these threats by restricting the use of cryptography can itself be problematic.Cryptography

A nuts-and-bolts explanation of cryptography from a leading expert in information security.