Cryptography is a method of protecting information by transforming it into a secret code that only the intended recipient can decipher.
Imagine sending a message to a friend, but instead of writing it in plain words, you use a special code that only your friend knows how to decode. This way, if someone else intercepts the message, they won’t be able to understand it because they don’t have the key to decode it.
Cryptography uses complex algorithms and mathematical formulas to create these secret codes, making it very difficult for anyone unauthorized to access the information. It’s like locking a box with a special key that only you and the person you’re sending the message to have. This helps keep sensitive information, like passwords and credit card numbers, safe from people who shouldn’t have access to it.
The term “cryptography” comes from the Greek words for “hidden” and “writing,” which accurately describes how it works to keep information hidden from unauthorized viewers.
