Defining Cryptography (Cryptography fundamentals 1/2)

Information Systems Security: Fundamentals of Cryptography
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Study Notes www.SlideShare.net/OxfordCambridge Page 1 of 39
Defining Cryptography
Study Notes v.1.0 | Foundation Level
+W Series – Technology Skills For Women.1
With YouTube videos links
1 Men too are allowed to read this, if they wish, as the language style and the document format are universal.

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1. About “+W Series - Technology Skills for Women”
Study Notes in the field of technology are put together under this category for the
following reasons:
 To encourage girls and ladies, who wish to do so, to stand up and look over the fence
into technology related topics.
 With no apprehension or fear.
 And perhaps consider embracing a career move into a technological path.
 Or simply to broaden their general knowledge; after all IT is already in most aspects of
everyday life.
 No matter the ground for the decision, their skills, their professional strengths, and their
contribution can only be something positive for any technological fields.
Please enjoy!

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2. Table of Contents
1. About “+W Series - Technology Skills for Women”..................................................................2
3. Foreword...............................................................................................................................................7
4. About this publication.......................................................................................................................8
4.1. Overview ................................................................................................................................................8
4.2. Learning Objectives ................................................................................................................................8
5. Keywords...............................................................................................................................................9
6. What is Cryptography .....................................................................................................................10
6.1. Introducing Cryptography ....................................................................................................................10
6.1.1. Introduction to cryptography........................................................................................................10
6.1.2. Why do we use cryptography?......................................................................................................10
6.1.3. How does cryptography work? .....................................................................................................10
6.2. Use of Cryptography through history ...................................................................................................11
6.2.1. Historical cryptography ................................................................................................................11
6.2.2. Transposition ciphers....................................................................................................................12
6.2.3. Substitution ciphers ......................................................................................................................12
6.2.4. Frequency analysis........................................................................................................................12
6.2.5. Polygraphic substitution ...............................................................................................................13
6.3. Cryptographic Terminology..................................................................................................................13
6.3.1. Cipher ...........................................................................................................................................13
6.3.2. Cryptosystem................................................................................................................................13
6.3.3. Plaintext and Ciphertext ...............................................................................................................13
6.3.4. Key and Code ................................................................................................................................13
6.3.5. Key management..........................................................................................................................13
6.3.6. Key exchange................................................................................................................................14
6.3.7. Block cipher and Stream cipher ....................................................................................................14
6.3.8. Hashing.........................................................................................................................................14
6.3.9. Mode of operation........................................................................................................................14
6.3.10. Number theory .............................................................................................................................14
6.3.11. Integer factorization .....................................................................................................................14
6.3.12. Cryptanalysis ................................................................................................................................14
6.3.13. Side-channel attack ......................................................................................................................14
6.4. Is Cryptography Difficult? .....................................................................................................................15
6.4.1. All cryptography can be broken or cracked...................................................................................15
6.4.2. Past cryptography is easily broken today .....................................................................................15
6.4.3. How to tell when a cryptographic algorithm is strong?................................................................15
6.4.4. DES, 3DES and AES........................................................................................................................15
6.4.5. How to determine how strong a crypto system or cipher is? ........................................................15
6.4.6. Using standards for cryptography ................................................................................................16
6.5. Identifying different types of Cryptography .........................................................................................16
6.5.1. Types of cryptography ..................................................................................................................16
6.5.2. Encryption algorithms tested a country’s institute of standards ..................................................16

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6.6. Describing Export Controls and Limits on Cryptography ......................................................................17
6.6.1. Export controls and limits .............................................................................................................17
6.6.2. Wassenaar Arrangement..............................................................................................................17
6.6.3. Export or import control over cryptosystems................................................................................17
6.6.4. Licenses might be required ...........................................................................................................17
7. Purpose of Cryptography...............................................................................................................18
7.1. Describing Ways Cryptography Provides Confidentiality......................................................................18
7.1.1. Notion of confidentiality ...............................................................................................................18
7.1.2. Encryption requires use of secrecy................................................................................................18
7.1.3. Confidentiality is linked to a time frame .......................................................................................18
7.1.4. Confidentiality is between two parties or more............................................................................18
7.1.5. Always have a sort of recovery key...............................................................................................18
7.1.6. Traffic on an unencrypted network...............................................................................................19
7.2. Recognizing the Need for Data Integrity...............................................................................................19
7.2.1. About data integrity .....................................................................................................................19
7.2.2. Encryption and integrity are separate ..........................................................................................19
7.2.3. About Hash and Message Digest ..................................................................................................20
7.3. Defining Cryptography Authentication.................................................................................................20
7.3.1. Understanding Authentication in cryptography ...........................................................................20
7.3.2. Authentication codes or MACs (M-A-Cs).......................................................................................20
7.3.3. Authentication can include two parts...........................................................................................21
7.3.4. Asymmetric key encryption in authentication...............................................................................21
7.3.5. Session management....................................................................................................................21
7.4. Applying Non-repudiation to Cryptography .........................................................................................21
7.4.1. About non-repudiation .................................................................................................................21
7.4.2. Digital signatures..........................................................................................................................21
7.4.3. Purpose of non-repudiation..........................................................................................................22
7.4.4. Asymmetric encryption and non-repudiation ...............................................................................22
7.4.5. Non-repudiation implemented with digital signatures .................................................................22
8. Cryptographic Methods ..................................................................................................................23
8.1. Using a One-time Pad (OTP) .................................................................................................................23
8.1.1. Understanding One-time Pad .......................................................................................................23
8.2. Describing Substitution Ciphers............................................................................................................24
8.2.1. About substitution ciphers............................................................................................................24
8.2.2. Caesar shift...................................................................................................................................24
8.2.3. Vigenère cipher.............................................................................................................................24
8.2.4. Polyalphabetic ciphers..................................................................................................................24
8.2.5. Advantages of substitution ciphers...............................................................................................25
8.2.6. Substitution ciphers drawbacks ....................................................................................................25
8.3. Using Symmetric Algorithms ................................................................................................................25
8.3.1. Understanding symmetric algorithms ..........................................................................................25
8.3.2. Symmetric key algorithms ............................................................................................................25
8.3.3. Symmetric key is a shared secret ..................................................................................................26
8.4. Working with Asymmetric Algorithms..................................................................................................26

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8.4.1. Notion of asymmetric algorithms .................................................................................................26
8.4.2. Private key and public key paired together...................................................................................27
8.4.3. Usage of asymmetric algorithms..................................................................................................27
8.5. Hiding Data Using Steganography ........................................................................................................28
8.5.1. About Steganography...................................................................................................................28
8.5.2. A software is needed for steganography ......................................................................................28
8.5.3. Illustrations of steganography......................................................................................................28
8.5.4. Advantages and disadvantages of steganography.......................................................................29
8.6. Using One-way Hashes .........................................................................................................................29
8.6.1. Understanding one-way hashes....................................................................................................29
8.6.2. One-way hashes: critical to many cryptographic systems ............................................................29
8.6.3. Common hashing algorithms........................................................................................................29
8.6.4. About MD5 common hashing algorithm.......................................................................................30
8.7. Describing Digital Signatures ................................................................................................................30
8.7.1. What is digital signature?.............................................................................................................30
8.7.2. What’s digital signature used for?................................................................................................30
8.7.3. Components of a digital signature................................................................................................30
8.7.4. Advantages of digital signatures ..................................................................................................31
8.7.5. Disadvantages of digital signatures..............................................................................................31
8.7.6. Digital signatures algorithms........................................................................................................31
9. Building Blocks of Cryptography.................................................................................................32
9.1. Distinguishing between Block and Key Sizes ........................................................................................32
9.1.1. Block ciphers.................................................................................................................................32
9.1.2. Key sizes........................................................................................................................................32
9.1.3. Block algorithms...........................................................................................................................32
9.1.4. Comparing algorithm block and key sizes.....................................................................................32
9.2. Using Padding.......................................................................................................................................33
9.2.1. About padding..............................................................................................................................33
9.2.2. Zero padding.................................................................................................................................33
9.2.3. Bit padding ...................................................................................................................................33
9.2.4. Byte padding.................................................................................................................................34
9.2.5. Byte padding illustrated................................................................................................................34
9.3. Formatting the Output .........................................................................................................................34
9.3.1. Understanding text encoding .......................................................................................................35
9.3.2. Text encoding format....................................................................................................................35
9.4. Using Nonces and the Initialization Vector...........................................................................................35
9.4.1. About initialization vectors (IV).....................................................................................................35
9.4.2. About Nonces ...............................................................................................................................36
9.5. Identifying and Using Entropy ..............................................................................................................36
9.5.1. Understanding entropy.................................................................................................................36
9.5.2. Weaknesses of using passwords...................................................................................................36
9.5.3. Using pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs) ......................................................................37
9.6. How cryptographic keys are generated? ..............................................................................................37
9.6.1. Types of cryptographic keys..........................................................................................................37

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9.6.2. Generating keys............................................................................................................................37

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3. Foreword
Security management concepts and principles are inherent elements in a security policy
and solution deployment. They define the basic parameters needed for a secure
environment.
They also define the goals and objectives that both policy designers and system
implementers must achieve to create a secure solution. It is important for security
professionals, as well as Information Systems Security learners, to understand these
items thoroughly.
The primary goals and objectives of security are contained within the CIA Triad
(concepts of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability), which is the name given to the
three primary security principles.
The first principle of the CIA Triad is confidentiality. If a security mechanism offers
confidentiality, it offers a high level of assurance that data, objects, or resources are
restricted from unauthorized subjects. If a threat exists against confidentiality,
unauthorized disclosure could take place. In general, for confidentiality to be maintained
on a network, data must be protected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure
while in storage, in process, and in transit. Unique and specific security controls are
required for each of these states of data, resources, and objects to maintain
confidentiality.
The second principle of the CIA Triad is integrity. For integrity to be maintained, objects
must retain their veracity and be intentionally modified by only authorized subjects. If a
security mechanism offers integrity, it offers a high level of assurance that the data,
objects, and resources are unaltered from their original protected state. Alterations
should not occur while the object is in storage, in transit, or in process. Thus,
maintaining integrity means the object itself is not altered and the operating system and
programming entities that manage and manipulate the object are not compromised.
The third and last principle of the CIA Triad is availability, which means authorized
subjects are granted timely and uninterrupted access to objects. If a security mechanism
offers availability, it offers a high level of assurance that the data, objects, and resources
are accessible to authorized subjects. Availability includes efficient uninterrupted access
to objects and prevention of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
Cryptography provides added levels of security to data during processing, storage, and
communications. Thus, Security practitioners use cryptographic systems to meet four
fundamental goals: confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and nonrepudiation.

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4. About this publication
4.1. Overview
Cryptography is essential to protecting data. Learn about how cryptography can be used
to protect and secure data, different methods that exist to protect or transmit data
securely, and the components that need to be understood to ensure data can be
protected properly.
4.2. Learning Objectives
After going through this publication, you should be able to:
 describe and identify the reasons for having and using cryptography
 recognize historical uses of cryptography and their relevance to cryptography today
 use and identify basic cryptographic terminology
 describe why cryptography is difficult to get right and how poor cryptography can
give you a false sense of security
 identify the different types of cryptography and how cryptographic algorithms can
be verified and validated
 describe how cryptography can keep data confidential and within limits
 describe why data integrity is an integral part of cryptography
 define how cryptography can provide a means to authenticate an entity
 describe how cryptography can be used to prove, with high certainty, that an action
or statement is associated with an entity
 describe how OTP, or one-time pad, cryptography can theoretically provide perfect
secrecy but has some significant limitations
 describe and use a substitution cipher and understand the weaknesses that can
be exploited by an attacker against these ciphers
 describe and identify the features and use cases for symmetric-key and
asymmetric-key cipher algorithms
 describe the use of steganography in encryption products to hide the fact data is
even encrypted
 describe the purpose of cryptographic hash functions and how they can be used in
cryptography to provide data integrity
 describe a digital signature and how it can be used for authentication and non-
repudiation
 recognize the difference between blocks and key sizes as they apply to cipher
algorithms
 describe and perform padding operations to data for block ciphers
 describe how to encode encrypted data for easier storage or transport
 describe the purpose of an initialization vector for a cipher algorithm and how
nonces can be used to protect small datasets
 describe how entropy is used in generating random numbers and how that entropy
is critical to the strength of a cryptographic key
 describe the creating, or generating, of keys and how the key strength is critical to
cryptographic ciphers

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5. Keywords
 Confidentiality
 Integrity
 Availability
 Data Encryption Standard
(DES)
 Triple DES (3DES)
 International Data
Encryption Algorithm
(IDEA)
 Blowfish
 Skipjack
 Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES)
 Cryptography
 Security
 Types Of Cryptography
 Cryptographic Algorithms
 Basic Export Controls And
Limits
 Data Confidential
 Data Integrity
 OTP, One-Time Pad
 Substitution Cipher
 Attacker
 Cipher
 Identify
 Symmetric-Key
 Cipher Algorithms
 Asymmetric-Key
 Steganography
 Encryption
 Encrypted
 Cryptographic
 Hash Functions
 Digital Signature
 Authentication
 Non-Repudiation
 Blocks
 Key Sizes
 Padding Operations
 Data
 Block Ciphers
 Encode
 Encrypted Data
 Initialization Vector
 Nonces
 Datasets
 Entropy
 Random Numbers
 Critical
 Cryptographic Key
 Creating Keys
 Generating Keys
 Key Strength
 Cryptographic Ciphers

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6. What is Cryptography
6.1. Introducing Cryptography
6.1.1. Introduction to cryptography
Often, cryptography is simply referred to as crypto. It is the study of secure
communications.
Cryptography provides added levels of security to data during processing, storage, and
communications. Over the years, mathematicians and computer scientists have
developed a series of increasingly complex algorithms designed to ensure
confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and nonrepudiation.
While cryptographers spent time developing strong encryption algorithms, hackers and
governments alike devoted significant resources to undermining them. This led to an
“arms race” in cryptography and resulted in the development of the extremely
sophisticated algorithms in use nowadays.
6.1.2. Why do we use cryptography?
Security practitioners use cryptographic systems to meet four fundamental goals:
Confidentiality: We can protect who can see a message. Data remains private while at
rest, such as when stored on a disk, or in transit, such as during transmission between
two or more parties.
Integrity: We can assure that data has not been tampered with. When integrity
mechanisms are in place, the recipient of a message can be certain that the message
received is identical to the message that was sent.
Authentication: We can confirm that a message is authentic and has not been forged.
Authentication verifies the claimed identity of system users and is a major function of
cryptosystems.
Non-repudiation: We can verify that data originate in fact from the owner or the sender
of a message. Non-repudiation provides assurance to the recipient that, the message
was originated by the sender and not someone masquerading as the sender. It also
prevents the sender from claiming that they never sent the message in the first place
(also known as repudiating the message).
Achieving each of these four fundamental goals: confidentiality, integrity, authentication,
requires the satisfaction of a number of design requirements, then again not all
cryptosystems are intended to achieve all four goals.
6.1.3. How does cryptography work?
Before a message is put into a coded form, it is known as a plaintext message and is
represented by the letter P when encryption functions are described. The sender of a
message uses a cryptographic algorithm to encrypt the plaintext message and produce
a ciphertext message, represented by the letter C. This message is transmitted by some
physical or electronic means to the recipient. Then the recipient uses a predetermined
algorithm to decrypt the ciphertext message and retrieve the plaintext version.

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With encryption, we are scrambling or obfuscating data. To do that, we need some type
of a key. Decryption is the act of revealing encrypted data (original message). It occurs
only with the correct key.
Hashing is the act of creating a unique value that can be used to authenticate the
original message. It takes data, puts it through an algorithm, and results in a unique
value called a hash value.Then we can recompute a hash value on data again. And, if
the value is different, it means that the original data has changed.
6.2. Use of Cryptography through history
6.2.1. Historical cryptography
https://youtu.be/L5lT6eFa-hM
Cryptography has been used for thousands of years where its primary purposes are to
protect data from unauthorized parties and to ensure that the data has not been
tampered with.
Cipher systems have long been used by individuals and governments interested in
preserving the confidentiality of their communications.
6.2.1.1. Caesar Cipher
One of the earliest known cipher systems was used by Julius Caesar to communicate
with Cicero in Rome while he was conquering Europe.
Caesar knew that there were several risks when sending messages - one of the
messengers might be an enemy spy or might be ambushed while en route to the
deployed forces.
For that reason, Caesar developed a cryptographic system now known as the Caesar
cipher. The system is rather simple:
 To encrypt a message, you simply shift each letter of the alphabet three places
to the right.
 For example, A would become D, and B would become E.
 If you reach the end of the alphabet during this process, you simply wrap around
to the beginning so that X becomes A, Y becomes B, and Z becomes C.
 For this reason, the Caesar cipher also became known as the ROT3 (or Rotate
3) cipher.
 Therefore, the Caesar cipher is a substitution cipher that is mono-alphabetic; it’s
also known as a C3 cipher.
Here’s an illustration of the Caesar cipher in action. The first line contains the original
sentence, and the second line shows what the sentence looks like when it is encrypted
using the Caesar cipher:
 THE DIE HAS BEEN CAST
 WKH GLH KDV EHHQ FDVW
To decrypt the message, you simply shift each letter three places to the left.

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6.2.1.2. Classical ciphers
Classical ciphers were usually based on either transposition or substitution.
6.2.1.3. Steganography
Steganography was also and still is commonly used today. With steganography, it’s
about concealing one message within another message.
6.2.2. Transposition ciphers
Transposition ciphers use an encryption algorithm to rearrange the letters of a plaintext
message, forming the ciphertext message. The decryption algorithm simply reverses the
encryption transformation to retrieve the original message.
Two common transposition ciphers include the route cipher and the rail fence cipher.
6.2.2.1. Rail fence cipher
Rail fence cipher works by having each letter of the original plaintext message written on
a separate line and spaced out. The resultant cyphertext or encrypted value is different
than the original plaintext.
6.2.2.2. Route cipher
Route cipher builds on the rail cipher, but it writes everything in a grid with a known
dimension, and the data is spiraled around the original message to generate the
encrypted strength.
6.2.3. Substitution ciphers
Substitution ciphers use the encryption algorithm to replace each character or bit of the
plaintext message with a different character.
Therefore, substitution ciphers substitute either letters, words, or groups of characters
with some other value, hence, substitution. There are many different types of
substitution ciphers. Caesar cipher is the most common.
The Caesar cipher shifts letters by some specific amount, for example, by three. So that,
if we start off with the letter "a" and we're shifting by three, our result is letter "D."
However, we ran into a problem when we got to the end of the alphabet and ran out of
letters. Also, these early cryptographic methods were attackable using frequency
analysis.
6.2.4. Frequency analysis
With frequency analysis, we can use knowledge of a language and the understanding
that certain letters and combinations of letters occur more frequently than others. For
example, in the English language, the letter "e" is very commonly used and is often
followed by the letter "t."

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There are some attempts to prevent frequency analysis attacks. One is called
polygraphic substitution,
6.2.5. Polygraphic substitution
By polygraphic substitution, we have a group of plaintext values that get replaced by a
predetermined character or an entire group of other characters.
With polyalphabetic substitution, we're using multiple substitution alphabets. And this, in
the end, will reduce the effectiveness of frequency analysis attacks.
6.3. Cryptographic Terminology
It's important to have a solid understanding of cryptographic terms before being able to
truly understand cryptography.
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6.3.1. Cipher
A cipher is a cryptographic algorithm that encrypts or decrypts a message.
6.3.2. Cryptosystem
A cryptosystem is a system that includes the cipher for encryption and decryption and a
key generation and key management process.
6.3.3. Plaintext and Ciphertext
Plaintext refers to the original, unencrypted message either before it's been encrypted or
after it's been decrypted.
Ciphertext refers to the encrypted representation of the original message or plaintext.
6.3.4. Key and Code
A key is a set of bits that's used by a cipher to encrypt plaintext or to decrypt ciphertext.
The correct key needs to be in our possession before we can decrypt encrypted
messages.
Code is a term that can mean to convert something into code – that is to encrypt it. A
code can represent a key or word that was used in older cryptographic methods.
6.3.5. Key management
With cryptography, key management is very crucial because keys are used for things
like encryption and decryption. Key management refers to the generation, the exchange,
the storage, and the revoking of keys.

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6.3.6. Key exchange
Key exchange is the process of securely exchanging keys, normally over a network.
6.3.7. Block cipher and Stream cipher
Block ciphers operate on “chunks,” or blocks, of a message and apply the encryption
algorithm to an entire message block at the same time. The transposition ciphers are
examples of block ciphers. A block cipher operates on a single block of data, usually of
8- to 128-byte block.
Stream ciphers operate on one character or bit of a message (or data stream) at a time.
The Caesar cipher is an example of a stream cipher. The one-time pad is also a stream
cipher because the algorithm operates on each letter of the plaintext message
independently.
Both block and stream ciphers result in ciphertext.
6.3.8. Hashing
Hashing creates a one-way, fixed-length unique value that represents the original data
that was passed to the hashing algorithm.
6.3.9. Mode of operation
Mode of operation provides a method to encrypt and decrypt more than one block when
we are using block ciphers.
6.3.10. Number theory
Cryptography is based heavily on mathematics. With number theory, the mathematical
study of integers for crypto and computationally complex problems related to things like
factorization are used often.
6.3.11. Integer factorization
An integer is a number that doesn't have any fraction, so it's a whole number. Integer
factorization is the breakdown of a positive integer into two prime numbers.
In crypto, prime numbers are often used because in mathematics prime numbers really
don't have a discernible pattern.
6.3.12. Cryptanalysis
Cryptanalysis is the study of breaking cryptographic ciphers or systems. The purpose is
to determine the strength of that cryptosystem or that cipher.
6.3.13. Side-channel attack
With the side-channel attack, we attack the physical infrastructure of a cryptosystem
rather than the algorithms themselves with the end goal of capturing data related to the
ciphertext or keys.

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6.4. Is Cryptography Difficult?
Assess if cryptography is difficult to get right and how poor cryptography can give us a
false sense of security.
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6.4.1. All cryptography can be broken or cracked
Cryptography strives to protect data, but despite our best efforts, all cryptography can be
broken or cracked. It's really a question of the amount of time and effort one is willing to
put in, to crack a given cryptography. The effort is often a calculable quantity given
today's computing power.
6.4.2. Past cryptography is easily broken today
Many good cryptographic systems from the past can easily be broken because of
advances in mathematics and advances in computing power. But will today's strong
cryptography be easily broken tomorrow? Chances are the answer is yes.
6.4.3. How to tell when a cryptographic algorithm is strong?
It's not as simple as comparing one algorithm with another and saying this one is better
than that one. We have to look at things like cipher key lengths. We also have to look at
the specific implementation of an algorithm. So it's not just as simple as looking at the
algorithm itself.
6.4.4. DES, 3DES and AES
Crypto systems today must have a very large key space in order to prevent this kind of
an attack.
DES stands for the Digital Encryption Standard and was used by U.S. federal
government agencies in the 1970s. It was then replaced by Triple DES or 3DES and
eventually by AES – the Advanced Encryption Standard.
DES uses a 56-bit keys. AES has three strengths – 128, 192, and 256 bits, depending
on how the cipher gets used. AES 256 can encrypt data such as in image using
Electronic Codebook or ECB.
With crypto, if we can determine some kind of a pattern, then we have a potential way to
crack that crypto system or that specific cipher.
6.4.5. How to determine how strong a crypto system or cipher is?
Key length is part of that. So a 256-bit symmetric key means that there are 2^256 (two
to the power of 256) possible keys in that key space.
That's better than a 56-bit key, which has far fewer possible combinations. However,
bigger key lengths don't always mean that we have a stronger algorithm

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6.4.6. Using standards for cryptography
Having standards for cryptography is very important. This way, we have many groups of
people analyzing and attacking and determining the true strength of a crypto system or
an individual cipher.
6.5. Identifying different types of Cryptography
We need to need to learn to identify the different types of cryptography and how
cryptographic algorithms can be verified and validated.
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6.5.1. Types of cryptography
6.5.1.1. Effective cryptosystem solutions
In order to have effective cryptosystem solutions in a marketplace we need standards.
Entities, such as the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) in the USA
and others according to the country or region where we live, deals with many different
standards, even outside of Information Technology.
6.5.1.2. Encryption algorithms recommended by government agencies
But, when we look at the Information Technology we have a number of standards that
are adhered to by vendors. Government agencies, in our region or country, adhere to
standards that outline how data is dealt with, what encryption algorithms are
recommended for use by government agencies, and others.
6.5.2. Encryption algorithms tested a country’s institute of standards
This allows us to make sure that IT products meet very specific security specifications,
and at least a minimum security standard.
Therefore, encryption algorithms have to go through certain testing with institutes of
standards according to the country where we operate.
Also, institutes of standards, according to the country where we are, maintain list of
validated cryptographic modules, which are considered to be safe cryptographic
modules that can be used in our market.
New algorithms can also be submitted and verified through these institutes of standards,
where we live.
There might be other sources and validations as well for IT security in our respective
country or region, and we need to verify who they are too.

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6.6. Describing Export Controls and Limits on Cryptography
We should be able to describe basic export controls and limits that can be imposed on
cryptography used in our own country or region and around the world.
https://youtu.be/YrjzGVexjdI
6.6.1. Export controls and limits
The main reason that a nation will apply export controls on hardware and software
cryptography is due to national security threats.
6.6.2. Wassenaar Arrangement
The Wassenaar Arrangement of the 1990s applies export controls for nations on dual-
use goods and technologies. These are items built for both civilian and military use.
There are around40 participating countries.
6.6.3. Export or import control over cryptosystems
Most countries have some form of export or import control over cryptosystems. Some
countries may has relaxed its policies since the 2000s.
However, depending on the country of origin and the country of destination, there may
be legal issues that need to be overcome when exporting software or hardware with
cryptographic capabilities.
6.6.4. Licenses might be required
The export of such products that contains strong modern crypto might require us to
register to get a license to export them.
In some cases, countries have laws that can force suspects to decrypt or provide the
keys to decrypt encrypted data.

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7. Purpose of Cryptography
7.1. Describing Ways Cryptography Provides Confidentiality
We should be able to describe the way cryptography can keep data confidential and
within limits.
https://youtu.be/SMm6COxYfBo
7.1.1. Notion of confidentiality
Confidentiality ensures that data isn't disclosed to unauthorized parties. So, when data
is transmitted over a network – if it's encrypted –confidentiality is provided of that
transmission. The same thing applies if when saving a file on disk and then encrypting it.
Confidentiality is provided by way of encryption.
Confidentiality was the primary purpose for which cryptography was originally used, and
this is still the case today.
7.1.2. Encryption requires use of secrecy
Encryption requires the use of a secret, which is a key or a code, in order to encrypt and
decrypt a message.
That might come in the form of a pass phrase that a user will type in before being
allowed to connect to an encrypted Wi-Fi network.
Or it could be a key embedded on a smart card that a user must swipe before gaining
access to a building or a secured computer system.
7.1.3. Confidentiality is linked to a time frame
Confidentiality usually comes with a term – a time frame in which the information must
be protected.
An example is credit card which has a valid lifetime of approximately three to five years.
So using a cipher that would take 20-plus years to break by today's computing means
should be a cipher good enough to use for a credit card.
7.1.4. Confidentiality is between two parties or more
Confidentiality is generally between two parties – the sender and the receiver. However,
cryptosystems have been built to split keys between more than two parties.
Cryptosystems have also been built to allow multiple parties, each with their own unique
key, to access the same data.
7.1.5. Always have a sort of recovery key
Now the loss of the key should make the data unrecoverable in any reasonable
expectation of time. So, when we implement confidentiality through encryption – whether

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it's network encryption or file encryption – it's important that we have some kind of a
recovery key that a trusted party can generate.
Otherwise, loss of the key that's used to decrypt encrypted data means that data is not
accessible by anybody.
7.1.6. Traffic on an unencrypted network
Traffic on an unencrypted network can easily be captured with a toll like Wireshark.
The analyzed traffic might show there was a login for a particular user and the word
password used.
That would mean there is no data confidentiality. It would be in plaintext and has not
been encrypted.
7.2. Recognizing the Need for Data Integrity
We should be able to understand why data integrity is an integral part of cryptography.
https://youtu.be/JXCld-cq9jY
7.2.1. About data integrity
Data integrity is used to detect changes to data. The data changes can either be
malicious or accidental, such as an attacker altering a message, or the changes might
be accidental like data corruption during transit.
However, data integrity isn't limited to being applied to network transmissions. Also, we
could use data integrity to verify whether or not a record in a database has been
tampered with. Or, we might use data integrity to verify that a file stored on disk has not
changed.
Although encryption can make a message look like random data, it makes it look
scrambled. It doesn't generally provide a method to ensure the data has not been
tampered with and that's where data integrity comes in.
7.2.2. Encryption and integrity are separate
Hashing can be used to detect file changes. For instance, a unique hash can be
generated from a file. Then, if changes are made and saved to that file, when we, once
again, generate a hash from that same file – because that file has changed – the second
hash will differ from the first.
That would mean that the file is in a different state than it was when we first took the
hash. Let's take a look at this in the Windows environment.

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7.2.3. About Hash and Message Digest
Hashing is also sometimes resultant in a message digest. So Hash and Message Digest
are synonymous. Message Digests used with encryption can provide a check to validate
if a message has been altered.
Some modes of operation, when it comes to block ciphers, also reduce the risk of data
being altered. Some of these block cipher modes tend to use the previous block of data
as input to the next block of data. Therefore, a change to one block would be reflected in
all of the following blocks. Still, this would not detect a truncation of the message.
7.3. Defining Cryptography Authentication
We should be able to understand how cryptography can provide a means to
authenticate an entity.
https://youtu.be/8TqKGjKUpMg
7.3.1. Understanding Authentication in cryptography
Authentication is the ability to verify the authenticity of a message. Authentication in
cryptography can come in two forms.
7.3.1.1. Verifying sender really sent message
The first of the two forms is verifying that the sender really sent the message. This can
be done with the sender using their unique private key that was issued to them to sign a
message.
Only the sender would have access to their private key, nobody else would. The
recipient could use the mathematically related public key of the sender to verify the
signature created with the private key.
7.3.1.2. Verifying receiver received correct message
The second of the two forms of authentication within crypto is verifying that the receiver
received the correct message.
Not only do we want to ensure the message came from who it says it came from. But we
also want to make sure that the message was not tampered with.
7.3.2. Authentication codes or MACs (M-A-Cs)
Message authentication codes or MACs (M-A-Cs) can be used to authenticate
messages. MACs provide an additional string of data that's used to verify the
authenticity of the message.
A common MAC is the hashed key message authentication code or HMAC. HMAC can
provide both data integrity as well as authentication.

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7.3.3. Authentication can include two parts
Remember authentication is the ability to verify the authenticity of a message. In
cryptography, authentication can include two parts.
The first part is to verify whether the sender has sent the message.
The second part is to verify whether the receiver has received the correct message.
7.3.4. Asymmetric key encryption in authentication
Asymmetric key encryption uses a mathematically related public and private key pair
that would be issued, for instance, to every user.
This can also provide authentication because the private key uniquely identifies a user
and only that user would have access to the private key. Inversely, everybody would
have access to everybody's public keys that would be used to verify signatures.
7.3.5. Session management
Session management is a form of authentication where session keys can be used once
the authentication has been completed. These session keys then authorize access to
sort of a network resource.
Sessions should also contain a session counter. This is a number that can be
embedded in each message to ensure that a message can't be replayed and to allow
one or both sides of the connection to know when a message failed to deliver.
7.4. Applying Non-repudiation to Cryptography
We should be able to figure out how cryptography can be used to prove, with high
certainty, that an action or statement is associated with an entity.
https://youtu.be/BtP4AGHl6jA
7.4.1. About non-repudiation
Non-repudiation is a legal term used to indicate that a statement or a document was
signed or made by an individual.
And in cryptography, it's a method of ensuring a message was sent or encrypted by a
specific entity. The process by which this is done is via a cryptographic digital signature.
7.4.2. Digital signatures
Digital signatures are created with a unique private key that gets issued to an entity,
such as a user or a computing device. The signature could only have been created by
the owner of the private key.

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Therefore, it's crucial that private keys are kept protected properly in order for this
process to be trusted.
7.4.3. Purpose of non-repudiation
The purpose of non-repudiation in cryptography is to protect both the sender and the
receiver.
The sender can verify that they send the message to the correct receiver and the
receiver can verify the sender of the message. Depending on the implementation, it can
also let the sender know that the message was received.
Non-repudiation is usually used for digital documents and e-mail messages. So we can
send an e-mail message in our mail program. And there is often a button we can click
before we send it to sign the message.
7.4.4. Asymmetric encryption and non-repudiation
Asymmetric encryption uses unique public and private key pairs that are issued to either
computers or users. Non-repudiation usually comes in the form of having a private key
to create a unique signature that gets verified on the other end with a mathematically
related public key.
Some issues can occur here, such as when a key is exposed or in transition as a key is
rotated. Therefore, it's very important that private keys are kept safe, on one hand.
On the other hand, public keys which are called public keys because they can be made
public to everybody, don't need to be kept safe, unlike the private.
7.4.5. Non-repudiation implemented with digital signatures
Non-repudiation is implemented with digital signatures. There can be three digital
signature algorithms – DSA, RSA, and ECDSA.

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8. Cryptographic Methods
8.1. Using a One-time Pad (OTP)
We should be able to appreciate how OTP in cryptography can provide perfect secrecy
but, at the same time, has some significant limitations.
https://youtu.be/-lEYFSEA4Ng
8.1.1. Understanding One-time Pad
A one-time pad is an extremely powerful type of substitution cipher. One-time pads use
a different substitution alphabet for each letter of the plaintext message.
One-time pads (OTP) when used properly can't be cracked. It's one of the few things in
crypto that really can't be broken when implemented correctly. Nevertheless, in practice,
one-time pads can have some significant drawbacks.
The pad part of the name in one-time pad comes from the original use of pads of paper,
where each page of the pad was used for a message, and then ripped off and
destroyed.
8.1.1.1. Key has to be as long as the message
One is that the key has to be as long as the message that's being sent. The key must
also be truly random. Reusing a key significantly compromises the message and that's
why it's called a one-time pad in the first place. We should never be reusing a key,
because the key must be as big as the message, therefore the exchange of the keys or
pads can be difficult.
For instance, our one-time pad might consist of a uniquely random series of numbers
such as 192837292623 and so on. The message to encrypt might be the text "hello
world."
Well, we might apply our one-time pad against the text that needs to be encrypted. Bear
in mind that the key needs to be as long as the message to be encrypted, then we would
end up with our encrypted ciphertext.
8.1.2. Distributing One-Time Keypads is difficult
But the distribution of these One-Time Keypads is very difficult. Interception completely
compromises the cipher.
Interception attacks are sometimes called man-in-the-middle attacks. But, if we're going
to be using a truly random key only once, that needs to be known on the other end of a
connection. So how do we securely get that to the other side of the connection in the
first place?
One-time pad cryptography is also referred to as the Vernam cipher. Acquiring a truly
random data value for the pad can be difficult. So using any nonrandom source that
seems random will not work.

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8.2. Describing Substitution Ciphers
We should be able to describe and use a substitution cipher and understand the
weaknesses that can be exploited by an attacker against these ciphers.
https://youtu.be/uL6aEigu9-E
8.2.1. About substitution ciphers
A substitution cipher alters elements of plaintext with substitutions and that result is
ciphertext.
Each plaintext items that are going to be encrypted is compared against a look-up table
and then substituted by the value in the look-up table.
As an illustration, let's say we wanted to encrypt the text abc. If we have a look-up table
whereby a=T and b=L and c=P, this means the abc plaintext, when encrypted, results in
TLP as ciphertext. Given the ciphertext or TLP, if we want to decrypt it, we have to have
access to the same look-up table that was used to encrypt TLP. As a consequence, we
would know then that L=b, P=c, and T=a. Therefore, we could decrypt TLP to its
originating plaintext of abc.
8.2.2. Caesar shift
The Caesar cipher is named after Julius Caesar who actually used it in some of his
correspondence. It's a monoalphabetic substitution cipher, meaning it only uses
substitutions from a single alphabet and replaces given letters with another letter that is
offset from the original.
8.2.3. Vigenère cipher
The Vigenère cipher is a polyalphabetic substitution cipher. This means that it uses
more than one alphabet to perform the encryption that results in ciphertext. There are
multiple ways to mitigate frequency analysis attacks. Frequency analysis attacks look for
patterns that are known within certain languages and alphabets. In English, for example,
often the letter E will appear followed by the letter T.
8.2.4. Polyalphabetic ciphers
With polyalphabetic ciphers, multiple key spaces are used. Hence, the same element
appearing later in a message could and would be substituted with a different ciphertext.
Polyalphabetic ciphers can be difficult to attack as long as the text is kept short and the
key doesn't get reused.
Polygraphic ciphers use larger groups of elements that are used to flatten the frequency
distribution. So, for example, we use groupings of items like two or three letter patterns.
Although polygraphic ciphers have a much larger key space, some combinations are still
more common. For example, the letters "ch" are much more common than "zz."

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8.2.5. Advantages of substitution ciphers
Some advantages of substitution ciphers are such that they're very easy to create and
use.
They generally have small keys, therefore are easy to remember. And they're still in use
today as parts of more complex encryption algorithms like AES.
8.2.6. Substitution ciphers drawbacks
But they do have their drawbacks. Substitution ciphers are vulnerable to frequency
analysis. Substitution ciphers usually have a small key space. In this video, we
discussed substitution ciphers.
8.3. Using Symmetric Algorithms
We should be able to describe and identify the features and use cases for symmetric-
key cipher algorithms.
https://youtu.be/066z0MLwYdQ
8.3.1. Understanding symmetric algorithms
In our everyday language usage symmetry means the same. Therefore, a symmetric
algorithm is one that uses the same key for encrypting and decrypting.
It's like using a key to lock a door and then later using that same key to unlock the same
door. So it's the same key or symmetric key.
8.3.2. Symmetric key algorithms
Symmetric key algorithms rely on a “shared secret” encryption key that is distributed to
all members who participate in the communications.
This key is therefore used by all parties to both encrypt and decrypt messages, so the
sender and the receiver both possess a copy of the shared key. The sender encrypts
with the shared secret key and the receiver decrypts with it.
Symmetric key cryptography can also be called secret key cryptography and private key
cryptography.

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8.3.3. Symmetric key is a shared secret
A symmetric key is a shared secret between entities that need to encrypt and decrypt.
Nonetheless, key generation and distribution remains together a major source of
weakness.
8.3.3.1. Advantages of symmetric algorithm
One of the advantages of a symmetric algorithm is that we have a single key to generate
and manage.
We also have faster encryption and decryption than with the equivalent strength
asymmetric algorithms.
Asymmetric algorithms use different, yet mathematically related keys.
Another advantage of a symmetric algorithm is that a relatively small key space such as
128 bit can still offer effective security.
8.3.3.2. Drawbacks of symmetric algorithm
But there are drawbacks to symmetric algorithms.
One being that everyone shares the exact same key. Everybody knows the key.
Another disadvantage is how we securely transport the shared key to everybody in a
secured manner in the first instance.
Also, we have to think about the fact that keys that are generated from weak entropy
sources can affect the key space. Now a weak entropy source means there is a weak
source of randomness.
Incorrectly implemented algorithms can leave the cipher severely weakened.
8.4. Working with Asymmetric Algorithms
We should be able to understand and identify the features and use cases for
asymmetric-key cipher algorithms.
https://youtu.be/PhZ2rtzJA3s
8.4.1. Notion of asymmetric algorithms
Asymmetric key algorithms, also known as public key algorithms, provide a solution to
the weaknesses of symmetric key encryption.
In such systems, each user has two keys: a public key, which is shared with all users,
and a private key, which is kept secret and known only to the user.

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A constrain: opposite and related keys must be used in tandem to encrypt and decrypt.
In other words, if the public key encrypts a message, then only the corresponding
private key can decrypt it, and vice versa.
Asymmetric cryptography is also called public key cryptography, and it requires the use
of two separate yet mathematically related keys – the first of which is the public key.
This one is made public to everybody; for instance, is we have to export our public key
on our computer to a file. Then, we might give that file to another party where they could
import the public key.
However, on a larger scale, it would make sense to publish public keys on a centralized
directory service or address book. The verification of digital signatures requires that we
have access to the sender's public key whereas encrypting messages would require us
to have access to the recipients' public key. The private key needs to be kept private
because it uniquely identifies either a device or a user. The private key creates digital
signatures and it decrypts messages.
Asymmetric algorithms are built on hard-to-solve mathematical problems, such as
integer factorization, elliptic curves, and discrete logarithms.
8.4.2. Private key and public key paired together
As a result, the mathematical properties make it very difficult to calculate the private key
given just the public key. The private key and the public key are paired together but they
are not the same – hence asymmetric – but they are mathematically linked.
8.4.3. Usage of asymmetric algorithms
Typical asymmetric algorithms include RSA and ElGamal. Common asymmetric use
comes in the form of SSL – Secure Sockets Layer – and its successor TLS – Transport
Layer Security. These are often used to secure transactions in a web browser but that's
not the only place they can be used. GPG as well as PGP also uses asymmetric
cryptography.
Asymmetric algorithms are also used for key transport and distribution. For illustration, in
HTTPS transactions or to establish a VPN tunnel. Digital signatures are also considered
asymmetric.
8.4.3.1. Asymmetric algorithms advantages
An advantage of asymmetric algorithms is that there is no secret or shared key that we
need to exchange with the parties that we want to communicate with securely. We use a
user's public key to send a message to that person so that...what happened if we're

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encrypting a message? The persons or the recipients, in this instance, would use their
related private key to decrypt the message.
Messages can be digitally signed by the sender to authenticate the sender to the
receiver. This is part of public key infrastructure or PKI. Remember, that digital
signatures are created by the sender with their private key.
8.4.3.2. Asymmetric algorithms disadvantages
Some disadvantages to asymmetric algorithms include the fact that they are slower than
symmetric algorithms partially because the key space is larger than it is with symmetric
algorithms. In this video, we discussed asymmetric algorithms.
8.5. Hiding Data Using Steganography
We should be able to comprehend the use of steganography in encryption products to
hide the fact data is even encrypted.
https://youtu.be/pkl-eZ9UPIM
8.5.1. About Steganography
Steganography is the hiding of data inside of other data, while steganalysis is the study
of steganography.
With steganography a third-party would know, for instance, that a data exchange is
taking place between communicating parties, or that third-party wouldn't know is that
there are secret messages embedded within that communication.
Encryption is different because with encryption we know that there is a secret message
there, but we just can't decrypt this secret message if we don't have the correct
decryption key.
8.5.2. A software is needed for steganography
On a computer, specialized software is required to hide and then to reveal secret
messages embedded in other data. There are also tools that can be used to detect
abnormalities in files due to steganography. And these tools would be used by forensic
technical experts.
8.5.3. Illustrations of steganography
Steganography has been around for a long time and it has many different
implementations. For instance, we could hide the encrypted file in the color bits of a
JPEG file or we could hide an encrypted file in the noisy bits of an audio or video file.
We could even send fake or damaged packets between two network devices, where to
an external observer it would simply look like data corruption.
Also, steganography can be used with printers, because they can add dots to a printed
image that contains a unique identifier for a specific printer.

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Watermarking images or digital content can also be used for Digital Rights
Management. This is used in cases involving anti-piracy. Indeed, we can also embed
secret documents or messages within an image or an audio file among other types of
files.
8.5.4. Advantages and disadvantages of steganography
An advantage of steganography is that encrypted data is hidden, so it won't even gain
attention like a regular encrypted file would.
Disadvantages of steganography include the fact that it can be hard to hide the data in
such a way that it's statistically undetectable because we are modifying the carrier file in
which we're embedding our secret message.
Moreover, a large source of data in which to embed the hidden data itself might be
required. That means then, files might be much larger than they otherwise would be.
8.6. Using One-way Hashes
A one-way function is a mathematical operation that easily produces output values for
each possible combination of inputs but makes it impossible to retrieve the input values.
Public key cryptosystems are all based on some sort of one-way function.
We should be able to appreciate the purpose of cryptographic hash functions, and how
they can be used in cryptography to provide data integrity.
https://youtu.be/KMqgKQI58Zw
8.6.1. Understanding one-way hashes
One-way hashes, also called cryptographic hash functions, are used to compute a fixed
size representation of variable length input data. The hash value is virtually impossible
to return back to its original source data. The value gets computed from a single input
called the message. A one-way hashing algorithm then computes a fixed length binary
digest, which is sometimes called a message digest or hash.
8.6.2. One-way hashes: critical to many cryptographic systems
One-way hashes are critical to many cryptographic systems and implementations used
today, including HMACs and digital signatures.
One-way hashes generate a digest that is normally unique for any message. Yet, when
two or more messages can generate the same digest, this is referred to as a collision
and it's rather rare.
Even a small change that gets made to a message would resolve in a new message
digest, for that reason one-way hashing is often used to detect changes to data.
8.6.3. Common hashing algorithms
Some common hashing algorithms include:

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 Message Digest 2 (MD2) – MD stands for message digest.
 Message Digest 5 (MD5) – MD stands for message digest.
 Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-0, SHA-1, and SHA-2)
 Hashed Message Authentication Code (HMAC)
 RIPEMD, Tiger, Whirlpool, and more.
8.6.4. About MD5 common hashing algorithm
If we were to look at the MD5 common hashing algorithm, we could see that it uses 64
bits to result in a 128 bit unique digest.
One-way hashes though should not be used for encryption because brute force and
dictionary attacks can potentially recover data, where the user might guess the original
message, such as a password or a credit card number, but using a salt – which is
randomized data – can reduce the effectiveness of these types of attacks. But the salt
would need to be safely protected.
8.7. Describing Digital Signatures
We should be able to explicate digital signature and how it can be used for
authentication and non-repudiation.
https://youtu.be/MvbLcGr6UEQ
8.7.1. What is digital signature?
A digital signature is used by the receiver of a message to confirm that the message
came from a particular sender.
At one end, the signature gets generated by the sender using a private key. On the
other end of the connection, the signature gets verified by the recipient using a
mathematically related public key.
8.7.2. What’s digital signature used for?
Digital signatures might be used to secure e-mail messages or to secure sensitive
documents stored in the document management system. Digital signatures can be used
to provide both authentication as well as non-repudiation.
8.7.3. Components of a digital signature
Digital signatures use asymmetric and one-way hashing functions and usually consist of
three components, including an asymmetric key pair, where one key is kept private and
used to sign the message, and the second key is public and is used by the receiver to
verify the message.

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The second component of a digital signature is having an algorithm that can generate a
digest of the message. This is a hashing function that takes the original message and
the unique private key of the sender to generate a signature for the message.
The third component of a digital signature is an algorithm to verify a message and the
digest. This is the same hashing function used by the sender. It's the same message,
but it's a different key. We verify the signature with a public key.
8.7.4. Advantages of digital signatures
An advantage to digital signatures is that the recipient has a reasonable assurance of
message authenticity; because only the sender would possess their unique private key.
The recipient must have access to the public key to verify the signature.
Digital signatures provide better security than with physical documents, which can be
intercepted, forged, or altered.
8.7.5. Disadvantages of digital signatures
There are disadvantages to digital signatures, and one is key management. In the case
of lost or stolen keys, it can take time to replace those keys that are used for digital
signatures, which could offer an opportunity for an attacker.
On the legal side, not every country has laws or protections for digitally signed
messages.
8.7.6. Digital signatures algorithms
Examples of digital signature algorithms include RSA, DSA, and ECDSA.

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9. Building Blocks of Cryptography
9.1. Distinguishing between Block and Key Sizes
We should be able to distinguish the difference between blocks and key sizes as they
apply to cipher algorithms.
https://youtu.be/OswuM_GwbwE
9.1.1. Block ciphers
Block ciphers are designed to work with blocks of data to either be encrypted or
decrypted. This data needs to be split into sections that match the block size of the
algorithm.
The block size is of a fixed value – like 16, 32, 64, or more bits. Then again, because the
algorithm would require a block of data to work on, if the input data is less than the block
size, then that input data needs to be padded.
9.1.2. Key sizes
The key size of an algorithm is also called the key length and is the number of bits that
are required for the key used within that cryptographic algorithm. It relates to the
strength of the algorithm. Generally speaking, a larger key size means greater strength.
9.1.3. Block algorithms
Block algorithms can support multiple key sizes, but usually they have a single block
size.
9.1.3.1. Symmetric algorithms
Let's take a look at some cases starting with symmetric algorithms. AES supports 128,
192, and 256-bit key sizes whereas DES supports 56-bit keys. 3DES supports a 168-bit
key size, but in practice, it's really equivalent to 112 bits.
9.1.3.2. Asymmetric algorithms
For asymmetric algorithms, the key sizes will vary. For instance, we might have a 1024-
bit key up to a 4096-bit key. A 1024-bit key is about the equivalence of an 80-bit
symmetric key.
9.1.4. Comparing algorithm block and key sizes
If we were to compare algorithm block and key sizes, we would get an idea of their
strength.
For instance, with the AES algorithm, the block size is 128 bits; the key sizes are 128,
192, and 256.
However, if we were to look – for instance – at DES, its block size is 64 and it has a
number of key sizes including 56, 112, 168, and so on.

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Finally, SHA-2 – the Secure Hash Algorithm – has block sizes of 512 or 1024, and the
key sizes range from 224-256-384-512.
9.2. Using Padding
We should be able to understand and perform padding operations to data for block
ciphers.
https://youtu.be/EdICXZOJ42E
9.2.1. About padding
Many cryptographic block algorithms require that data be a fixed block length.
Nonetheless, some modes of operation that some algorithms can use don't require that
data be a fixed block length.
On the other hand, for those that data be a fixed block length, padding adds additional
data to the end of the message to fit the block size. This means we can end up in
encrypted data taking more room than the original message itself. For instance, if we've
got a block size of 16, yet our original message is the text "hello world," we're going to
need to add some padding beyond the text "hello world" to meet our block size. And
there are various ways in which this can be done.
9.2.2. Zero padding
With zero padding, sometimes called null padding, all of the padding or the padded
bytes are set to a value of zero. Now this should only be used for text-based messages
or when we know the message length. With binary data, the 0s can be confused with
real data. And this is a problem. For example, if our original message is 101000, to pad
it using this method, we would add 0s at the end of our message up to 16 bits.
Now, when the padding gets removed, we have a problem. Because the padding is all
0s, therefore, all of the 0s would be removed, leaving us with only 101. But the problem
is the original message was 101000.
9.2.3. Bit padding
With bit padding, a single bit is set to a value of 1. And it's added to the end of the
message followed by all of the other bits set to a value of 0. Knowing the length of the
data or having additional checks for invalid decryption is required. And this can be done
with an extra block with fake padding.
For illustration, let's say our original message is 101001. With bit padding, a binary 1 is
added after our original message followed by binary 0s to meet the block size. No
padding will be required if we have a message that is already 16 bits long and that's our
block size. But assume that the last two binary digits are 10. This can be difficult
because that looks like it's padding that needs to be removed when it's actually part of
the original message.
However, if we know the length of the original data, then we wouldn't confuse that with
padding because we would know the entire message was 16 bits long.

______________________________________________________________________________
9.2.4. Byte padding
With the byte padding mechanism – otherwise called PKCS#7 – we work with bytes
rather than individual bits.
Byte padding calculates the number of padding bytes that are required and fills the last
bytes with this value. Hence, the last value will be less than the block length.
9.2.5. Byte padding illustrated
9.2.5.1. Example 1
As an illustration, let's say our original message is the alphabetic characters A through
to and including K. However we must pad it up to 16 bytes. Thus we're missing five
placeholders. Therefore, with byte padding, 5 is the value that would be used for
padding.
Indeed, in this example, the last 5s aren't the ASCII variation of 5, but rather the binary
representation of the number 5. With ISO 10126, it calculates the number of padding
bytes and puts this number in the last byte with random bytes filling in the rest of the
empty spaces. With the data ending on the block size boundary depending on the
implementation of the algorithm, an extra block may be required.
9.2.5.2. Example 2
To illustrate again, let's say for our message we've got A through to K inclusive which
needs to be padded once again to 16 bytes.
In accordance with ISO 10126, we've got five placeholders. Consequently, a value of 5
is put in as the last byte. Thus, between the message and the last byte, we have a
series of random bytes.
Then, let's say we've got a 16-bit block size and our binary message ends with 11. Since
the last byte in this is 11, this would remove 11 characters of padding which really is part
of the original message.
Next, ANSI X.923 calculates the number of padding bytes and puts this number as the
last byte of padding with 0s filling in the empty spaces. The last byte gets checked, and
if it's less than the block size, it checks for the right number of 0s. If it's correct, therefor
the padding is removed; otherwise, it's just data that ended right on the block boundary.
9.2.5.3. Example 2
For instance, if our original message once again consists of the letters A through to and
including K, then we must pad it up to 16 bytes. With ANSI X.923, we've got five
placeholders that must be padded, which means the value of 5 is put as the last byte.
And then we've got 0s between the original message and the last byte.
9.3. Formatting the Output
We should be able to know how to encode encrypted data for easier storage or
transport.

______________________________________________________________________________
https://youtu.be/DQ-RCh0hZxQ
9.3.1. Understanding text encoding
Text encoding is used to convert raw binary output into a text-friendly representation.
Sometimes this is required by some applications or for readability. Encoding, however,
does not protect data – that's what encryption is for. Both encryption and encoding are
reversible whereas hashing values are not. For instance, if we possess the correct
encryption key, we can decrypt back to the original plaintext.
9.3.2. Text encoding format
The most common text encoding format for cryptographic operations is hex, which
stands for hexadecimal or base 16 where we use characters 0 through to 9 as well as A
through to F where A would equal 10, B would equal to 11, and so on.
With hexadecimal, each byte is converted into two alphanumeric characters. For
instance, 255 in decimal would equate to FF in hexadecimal. "Hello World" would
encode to 48 65 6C 6C and so on.
Encrypted or hashed raw data can't be easily stored, for example in a database, or even
transferred using e-mail. ASCII control characters – those with decimal values less than
32 – and ANSI characters from 128 to 255 may display as junk characters or not be
displayed at all. Thus, text encoding solves these types of issues.
There are many encoding formats available – some common ones include base16,
base32, base64, and uuencoding. These usually make the text longer than the original
raw data. However, when encoded, it's still shorter than the hexadecimal equivalent
which approximately doubles the size.
9.4. Using Nonces and the Initialization Vector
We should be able to describe the purpose of an initialization vector for a cipher
algorithm and how Nonces can be used to protect small datasets.
https://youtu.be/3ZlIHKABKbg
9.4.1. About initialization vectors (IV)
Initialization vectors are also called starting variables, nonces, or IVs, And an IV is used
when encrypting or decrypting multiple blocks of data.
An IV is normally used on the first block to be encrypted. It is a random fixed-length
string similar to a key. However, it doesn't need to be protected like the key itself does.
For block ciphers, the IV is the same length as the block length. Therefore, the primary
purpose of an IV is to add randomization to each block being encrypted to prevent
patterns from showing up in the encrypted data. To illustrate, let's say we're encrypting
the text ABCABC without the use of an IV. ABCABC then might encrypt to
A3E54EA3E54E. As such, this isn't good because there is a repeatable pattern.

______________________________________________________________________________
9.4.2. About Nonces
Cryptography often gains strength by adding randomness to the encryption process.
One method by which this is accomplished is through the use of a nonce. A nonce is a
random number that acts as a placeholder variable in mathematical functions. When the
function is executed, the nonce is replaced with a random number generated at the
moment of processing for one-time use. The nonce must be a unique number each time
it is used.
If we were to add an IV, or initialization vector, then the encrypted data would look more
random. This way there wouldn't be a repeatable pattern. The initialization vector can
also be unique for each block encrypted. In this case, it's referred to as a nonce.
Nonces are integers and may increment like a counter for each block of data. They are
commonly used for disk encryption where the nonce is the sector of the disk.
Nonetheless, it exists not so good implementations of IVs notably with Wi-Fi encryption
WEP.
WEP or Wired Equivalent Privacy uses IVs. However, the problem is that the IV is only
24 bits long. Consequently there are not that many variations, and it’s pretty much
guaranteed to have a repeatable pattern given enough traffic.
9.5. Identifying and Using Entropy
We should be able to comprehend how entropy is used in generating random numbers
and how that entropy is critical to the strength of a cryptographic key.
https://youtu.be/-fgbPWUeF9c
9.5.1. Understanding entropy
A cryptographic cipher is only as strong as its key, which is only as strong as the entropy
that was used to create it. But what is entropy?
Entropy is randomness and the more of it, the stronger the key. Therefore, one could
say entropy adds disorder and confusion to data.
9.5.2. Weaknesses of using passwords
However, using passwords to generate keys presents a weakness because, rather than
attacking the cipher or the key an attacker would find it easier to go for the password
that was used to create the key.
Effectively, this has reduced the key space from the key size all the way down to the
password strength. We should be using multiple sources of randomness to generate
keys that are effectively secure.
As a weakness in any source of entropy reduces the strength of the protected data
because the key that protected the data is derived from the source of entropy. Using just
a cipher and a key is not good enough if the key is not truly random.

______________________________________________________________________________
9.5.3. Using pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs)
Most operating systems contain a random number generator that uses operating system
events to gather entropy or randomness from various sources such as mouse
movements, keyboard typing, network communications, memory usage, audio noise,
disk drive timings, and so on.
These systems can use a pseudorandom number generator, often called a PRNG. Such
randomness generators use a seed and cryptographic algorithms to generate a
sequence of data that approximates the properties of real random data.
9.6. How cryptographic keys are generated?
We should be able to recognize the generating of keys and how the key strength is
critical to cryptographic ciphers.
https://youtu.be/sxcGHUqHxbg
9.6.1. Types of cryptographic keys
For most cryptography, there are two types of keys.
9.6.1.1. Symmetric key
Firstly, we have a symmetric key, which is a single shared or secret key. All
communicating parties that wish to communicate in a secured manner must have
knowledge of this secret key.
The problem is that the key needs to be safely distributed to communicating parties in
the first place. Symmetric keys are often used with file encryption and VPN tunnel
establishment to name just a few uses.
9.6.1.2. Asymmetric key
Secondly, there are asymmetric keys which are mathematically pair of related public and
private key. The public key can be made available to everybody, but the private key
must be available only to the owner.
Asymmetric keys are used with digital signatures for documents or e-mail messages as
well as for e-mail message encryption.
9.6.2. Generating keys
Key generation can occur within an operating system.
9.6.2.1. In Linux
For instance, in Linux, we can use the /dev/random device to generate keys. We could
also use the ssh-keygen command to generate keys used for SSH authentication. Since
SSH allows Linux administrators to remotely connect over the network to the host for
command line administration.

______________________________________________________________________________
9.6.2.2. In Linux Microsoft Windows
Regarding Windows, in PowerShell, we could use the System.Security.Cryptography
provider to generate keys.
9.6.2.2.1. Using PKI Certificate Authorities (CA)
The major strength of public key encryption is its ability to facilitate communication
between parties previously unknown to each other. This is made possible by the Public
Key Infrastructure (PKI) hierarchy of trust relationships. These trusts permit combining
asymmetric cryptography with symmetric cryptography along with hashing and digital
certificates, giving us hybrid cryptography.
A PKI Certificate Authority could be used to generate keys as well. That means we could
either have an internal Certificate Authority or have keys generated from a trusted third-
party Certificate Authority.
Either way, the Certificate Authority (CA) generates PKI certificates, which are also
called X.509 certificates. A unique public and private key pair would be issued to each
entity, such as a user or a computer. In addition, the public and private key pair will be
stored within the certificate. The keys in the certificate are mathematically related to one
another.
9.6.2.3. Asymmetric keys creation
How asymmetric keys get created? First – two large prime numbers must be chosen.
For illustration purpose, they are being denoted as p and q.
Next, we must calculate a value, which we'll call n where n equals p multiplied by q (n =
p x q).
The idea is that prime numbers have no discernible pattern. Therefore, when we build
keys from prime numbers, we have a stronger key. Consequently, we get a stronger
encryption.

______________________________________________________________________________
10. Summary
Cryptographers and cryptanalysts are in a never-ending race to develop more secure
cryptosystems and advanced cryptanalytic techniques designed to circumvent those
systems.
We were exposed to the basic cryptography concepts, and explored a variety of private
key cryptosystems.
Also we were introduced to the basic principles behind both private (symmetric) and
public (asymmetric) key cryptography.
We learned that symmetric key cryptosystems require both communicating parties to
have the same shared secret key, creating the problem of secure key distribution.
We also learned that asymmetric cryptosystems avoid this hurdle by using pairs of
public and private keys to facilitate secure communication without the overhead of
complex key distribution systems.

Defining Cryptography (Cryptography fundamentals 1/2)

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