What do you think?
Cryptography
A broad introduction to cryptography—what it is, how it really works, what its future holds, and why every informed citizen should understand its basics.
We all keep secrets—from our gym locker codes to our email passwords to our online interactions. And we choose to share those secrets only with those whom we trust. So, too, do organizations, businesses, governments, and armies. In this fascinating book Cryptography, Panos Louridas provides a broad and accessible introduction to cryptography, the art and science of keeping and revealing secrets. Louridas explains just how cryptography works to keep our communications confidential, tracing it back all the way to its ancient roots. Then he follows its long and winding path to where we are today and reads the signs that point to where it may go tomorrow.
A few years back, interest in cryptography was restricted to specialists. Today, as we all live our lives attuned to our digital footprint and the privacy issues it entails, it becomes more and more essential to have a basic understanding of cryptography and its applications to everyday life. Starting with classical cryptography, Cryptography takes the reader all the way up to the twenty-first century cryptographic applications that underpin our lives in the digital realm. Along the way, Louridas also explains concepts such as symmetric cryptography, asymmetric cryptography, cryptographic protocols and applications, and finally, quantum and post-Quantum cryptography as well as the links between cryptography and computer security.
We all keep secrets—from our gym locker codes to our email passwords to our online interactions. And we choose to share those secrets only with those whom we trust. So, too, do organizations, businesses, governments, and armies. In this fascinating book Cryptography, Panos Louridas provides a broad and accessible introduction to cryptography, the art and science of keeping and revealing secrets. Louridas explains just how cryptography works to keep our communications confidential, tracing it back all the way to its ancient roots. Then he follows its long and winding path to where we are today and reads the signs that point to where it may go tomorrow.
A few years back, interest in cryptography was restricted to specialists. Today, as we all live our lives attuned to our digital footprint and the privacy issues it entails, it becomes more and more essential to have a basic understanding of cryptography and its applications to everyday life. Starting with classical cryptography, Cryptography takes the reader all the way up to the twenty-first century cryptographic applications that underpin our lives in the digital realm. Along the way, Louridas also explains concepts such as symmetric cryptography, asymmetric cryptography, cryptographic protocols and applications, and finally, quantum and post-Quantum cryptography as well as the links between cryptography and computer security.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
About the author
Panos Louridas
4 books16 followersPanos Louridas is Associate Professor in the Department of Management Science and Technology at the Athens University of Economics and Business. He is the author of Real World Algorithms: A Beginner's Guide (MIT Press).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 13, 2026
A great book for people who want to have a first look at cryptography without overwhelmed by math and technical stuff. The author covers all the basic terms, makes clear examples, explains thoroughly. Especially, he always provides the full picture: what kind of problems that need what type of scheme, how does that work, pros and cons, its weaknesses and how to avoid them, and how to apply them in the real-world.
Suitable for beginner.
Recommend
Suitable for beginner.
Recommend
January 13, 2025
NQBFVSNQBUUDXQYBOAMJ
September 1, 2025
Likely focused on theory more than practical contemporary issues on purpose to achieve timelessness; lacks urgency due to this very trait
February 21, 2026
Covered lots of topics at a comfortable level which was just what I was looking for.
May 5, 2026
Who watches the watchers?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews