Cryptography: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Fred Piper, Sean Murphy
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $11.95
Buy New: $6.46
You Save: $5.49 (46%)
New (37) Used (14) from $1.00
Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 236358
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Pages: 160
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.5
ISBN: 0192803158
Dewey Decimal Number: 652.8
EAN: 9780192803153
Publication Date: July 15, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new book delivered from the UK in 10-14 days.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This book is a clear and informative introduction to cryptography and data protection--subjects of considerable social and political importance. It explains what algorithms do, how they are used, the risks associated with using them, and why governments should be concerned. Important areas are highlighted, such as Stream Ciphers, block ciphers, public key algorithms, digital signatures, and applications such as e-commerce. This book highlights the explosive impact of cryptography on modern society, with, for example, the evolution of the internet and the introduction of more sophisticated banking methods.
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| Customer Reviews:
 excellent read November 26, 2008
Brian R. Goulet
this book is exactly what it says it is and is excellent at that task. i highly recommend this book to a sys-admin that wants to understand the basics of encryption without being an expert, anyone interested in cryptograms, or anyone with just a casual interest in the history, and concepts of cryptography.
this book is not designed for mathematicians or security experts looking deep inner workings of algorithms.
the book is easy to follow without the need for a technical or mathematics background and gives occasional problems for the reader to solve which will be of interest to anyone who enjoys cryptograms.
as a network engineer, i found this an enjoyable pleasure read which shed some light on the encryption protocols employed on some of the gear i manage.
 covers the main ideas, with little maths needed October 11, 2005
W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
The book is good as befits its subtitle. Indeed, a very short introduction, with only a minimal evocation of maths background. But there is enough qualitative explanation so that you can understand the broad historical development. From the Caesar Cipher to a Simple Substitution Cipher to a Vigenere Square Cipher. Then, the text goes into modern ideas, all of which involve using computers to encrypt and decrypt. Notably the invention of the public key system. Truly quite different from all that preceded it.
There is also a brief foray into quantum computing. Here, it is mostly conceptual; discussing the possible potential, since current implementations are very rudimentary. The text has no mention of man in the middle attacks and how to guard against these. Pity. Because while this is a very hard attack to perform, if it can done, then it is very hard to defend against. One of the promises of quantum computing is that it inherently offers a simple detection, based on quantum interference by the attacker.
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