暗号解読についての知識がつまった入門書です。銀行の暗証番号をはじめ、ネット上の決済や電子政府構想にとって、暗号理論は欠かせません。アルゴリズムとは何で、どのように使われ、使用にはどんなリスクが伴うのでしょうか。カエサルの手紙に始まる歴史上の逸話や、随所にある暗号パズルを楽しみながら、現代の暗号の核心に迫ります。また、インターネットの進化のように暗号解読が現代社会に与える爆発的影響についても考察します。
   

• The authors are both experts in the theory and practice of codes and their decipherment
• Written in a fluid and lively style to appeal to the non-mathematical reader
• Covers issues such as data protection, and applications of cryptography in modern technology
• Takes the reader through the actual processes of developing codes and deciphering them

   
This book is a clear and informative introduction to cryptography and data protection - subjects of considerable social and political importance. It explains what algorithms do, how they are used, the risks associated with using them, and why governments should be concerned. Important areas are highlighted, such as Stream Ciphers, block ciphers, public key algorithms, digital signatures, and applications such as e-commerce. This book highlights the explosive impact of cryptography on modern society, with, for example, the evolution of the internet and the introduction of more sophisticated banking methods.