Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Though often invisible, cryptography plays a critical role in our everyday lives, from online purchases and Google searches to even unlocking car doors with electronic key fobs. Broadly defined as a set of tools for establishing security in cyberspace, cryptography enables us to protect our information and share it securely. It underpins the security of mobile phone calls, card payments, web connections, internet messaging, Bitcoin transactions--in short, everything we do online.
In clear, concise writing, Keith Martin reveals the many crucial ways we all rely on cryptographic technology and demystifies its controversial applications and the nuances behind alarming headlines about data breaches or Edward Snowden. 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. Essential reading for anyone with a password, Cryptography offers a profound perspective on personal security, online and off.
Synopsis
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.
Essential reading for anyone with a password, Cryptography offers a profound perspective on personal security, online and off.