Cryptographic algorithms are a set of mathematical operations used to protect data from unauthorized access or alteration. Cryptography is used to authenticate, encrypt, and decrypt data transmitted through networks. This technology provides users with the assurance that their confidential data will remain safe from malicious actors.
Examples of cryptographic algorithms include Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), and Diffie Hellman.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): AES is a symmetric key encryption algorithm that uses different keys for encryption and decryption. It was first released in 2001 and is based on a modified version of the Data Encryption Standard (DES). AES is the industry standard for data encryption and is widely used by government agencies, financial institutions, and online services.
Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA): RSA is an asymmetric key encryption algorithm that was developed by three computer scientists in 1977. The algorithm relies on two large prime numbers to generate a public and private key pair. The public key can be shared with anyone, while the private key is kept secret. RSA is used for secure data transmission and digital signatures.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC): ECC is a popular public key cryptography algorithm that was developed by two mathematicians in 1985. It is based on the difficulty of solving the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem, which is considered to be more secure than RSA. ECC is commonly used for digital signature verification in e-commerce and other applications.
Diffie-Hellman: Diffie-Hellman is a key exchange algorithm that was developed by two computer scientists in 1976. It is used to securely exchange cryptographic keys over an untrusted network. The algorithm relies on a shared secret between the two parties, and is widely used for VPNs and other secure networks.