Modern cryptography is a crucial field in the study of mathematics and computer science. It deals with the methods of secure communication in the presence of third parties. Here are some key points about modern cryptography:
Symmetric Key Cryptography: This type of cryptography uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. It is fast and efficient but requires a secure way to share the key between the sender and receiver.
Asymmetric Key Cryptography: Also known as public-key cryptography, this method uses a pair of keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. It provides a secure way to exchange messages without sharing a secret key.
Hash Functions: These functions take an input (or 'message') and return a fixed-size string of bytes. They are used for ensuring data integrity and are the foundation of many cryptographic protocols.
Digital Signatures: These are used to verify the authenticity and integrity of digital messages or documents. They provide a way to verify that the message was indeed sent by the claimed sender and has not been altered in transit.
Cryptographic Protocols: These are sets of rules and procedures used to secure communications. Examples include SSL/TLS, which are used to secure web communications.
For more information on modern cryptography, you can visit our Cryptography Overview.