Cryptography: Difference between revisions

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'''Cryptography''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''kryptós'', "hidden", and ''gráphein'', "to write") is, traditionally, the study of means of converting [[information]] from its normal, comprehensible form into an incomprehensible format, rendering it unreadable without secret knowledge — the art of ''[[encryption]]''. In the past, cryptography helped ensure [[secrecy]] in important [[communications]], such as those of [[Secret agent|spies]], [[military]] leaders, and [[diplomat]]s. In recent decades, the field of cryptography has expanded its remit in two ways. Firstly, it provides mechanisms for more than just [[confidentiality|keeping secrets]]: schemes like [[digital signature]]s and [[digital cash]], for example. Secondly, cryptography has come to be in widespread use by many [[civilian]]s who do not have extraordinary needs for secrecy, although typically it is transparently built into the [[infrastructure]] for [[computing]] and [[telecommunications]], and users are not aware of it. uoklyu8

The study of how to circumvent the use of cryptography is called ''[[cryptanalysis]]'', or ''codebreaking''. Cryptography and cryptanalysis are sometimes grouped together under the umbrella term '''cryptology''', encompassing the entire subject. In practice, "cryptography" is also often used to refer to the field as a whole; '''crypto''' is an informal abbreviation.