One of the best introductions to the field of cryptography this is a book well worth reading, even for those who simply want a better understanding of the potentials about cryptography, and what it's all about. A fantastic introduction and a handy reference on one of computer science's most interesting fields. Tal Cohen More than any other field in computer science, cryptography is associated with computer warfare. Recent international treaties define cryptographic algorithms as weapons, and the laws of many countries prohibit either the development, the usage, or the export of cryptographic algorithms. The whole point of cryptography is to solve problems.
Cryptography solves problems that involve secrecy, authentication, integrity, and dishonest people.
You can learn all about cryptographic algorithms and techniques, but these are academic unless they can solve a problem. Bruce Schneier's Applied Cryptography , in its second edition, is probably the best introduction to the field. But unlike many works by other researchers, Schneier's work does not read like a dry paper for a scientific journal. Breaking a plate is a good example of a one-way function. It is easy to smash a plate into a thousand tiny pieces.