Original: In 1976 , Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman published a cryptographic protocol , ( Diffieâ '' Hellman key exchange ) , which allows users to establish ` secure channels ' on which to exchange keys , even if an Opponent is monitoring that communication channel .
Simplified: In 1976 , Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman published a cryptographic protocol , ( Diffie-Hellman key exchange ) , which allows users to establish secure channels in order to exchange keys , even if an attacker is monitoring that communication channel .