My blog is Travels in a Mathematical World.
Math/Maths Podcast: Peter Rowlett in the UK calls Samuel Hansen in the US and the pair discuss topical mathematics. A podcast from Pulse-Project.org.
Get latest episode (9 Jan 2013).
Travels in a Mathematical World Podcast is a set of 64 episodes of mathematicians speaking in their own words about their work, maths history and maths news.
Get all 64 episodes.
Visit my YouTube channel for videos on puzzles and maths history, as well as higher education maths curriculum talks.
History of cryptography
University of Salford (06/03/2012)
Abstract:
Cryptography is the process by which messages are communicated through secret means. Cipher cryptography converts messages by applying some cipher algorithm with a secret key to a plaintext message, converting it into a ciphertext message that cannot be read by interceptors. Cryptanalysis is the science that attempts to decipher these messages without access to the secret key.
This talk will introduce substitution ciphers and demonstrate the processes of encrypting and breaking some examples of these. As cryptanalysis develops, more ingenious ciphers must be created in a constant between cryptographers and cryptanalysts. Later, cryptography becomes mechanised and the efforts of codebreakers at Bletchley Park in World War II will be briefly decribed. Later still, cryptography becomes computerised and an idea will be given of Public key cryptography.
This talk will provide a gentle introduction and will assume no prior knowledge of cryptography.