An Introduction to Modern Cryptography

This book is an introduction to cryptography for the non- mathematician. It is for anyone who wishes to understand the terminology and concepts in modern cryptography without the mathematics and complex formulae, communications and number theory. The book is meant as a metaphorical walk through the cryptographic concepts and underpinnings with sufficient detail that the reader can subsequently read the current public debates and discussions about cryptography and understand what is being said. In accomplishing that goal, the book will serve as an introduction to the concepts to a sufficient level, that the reader will be able to read the more technical mathematical introductions to cryptography and follow the discussions. Modern cryptography is the enabling technology that will permit secure electronic commerce across the Internet. Electronic Commerce on the Internet, and the advent of electronic (digital) money, the prevention of hacker attacks, and credit card fraud are all based on the security afforded by modern cryptography. Further there are heated political and constitution debates on the national policies for restricting the export of cryptography and the need for supplying cryptographic keys to the FBI. All these discussions are based on modern cryptography. However, all too frequently, the concepts are only explained in complex mathematics that are not readily understood by the non- mathematician. This book explains the concepts in a manner that can be understood by all. TOC: Symmetrical Key Cryptography * Integrity Protection * „N2“ Problem * Kerberos * Public Key Cryptography * Public Key Infrastructure * Key Escrow * Public Issues