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If anything, I am being continually surprised by the awesome content. I have not been disappointed with this purchase. The book does get very technical, but that is what I wanted. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how cryptography works and how the different protocols work. This book covers so much, and even includes source code.
Hello there, Ah, The Bible on Cryptography. Mr. then this IS the book for you. Bruce Schneier, I was able to implement RSA encryption/decryption programs in 4 days.
It is clear to me that everybody, and I mean EVERYONE has to various degrees, secrets that they do not want revealed. Schneier covers history, all the basic crypto-logic terms, all the algorithms in concise, simple language. Cryptography has so many applications that can be used in common-folks daily lives'. This book is the #1 basic learning block on how to encrypt those secrets so they stay in that state (secret). especially now that everyone owns a personal computer and has access to email. If you have 0 knowledge of Cryptography, and want a crash-course on the all major ciphers used by the NSA and other organizations including the mathematics behind them,.
I can't praise this book enough. Cheers, Charles Darakdjian Thanks to the wonderful clear and detailed explanations of Mr. I am currently learning DES.
A recommended read to all aspiring cryptographers. Overall, the book is very consitent in how much it expects the reader to know, few sections are much more advanced than others.While not up-to-date with the latest algorithms and available computing specifications, it focuses as much as possible on the timeless aspects of cryptography. Applied Cryptography is a classic book on how and why cryptography works. It is written very clearly and explains in detail how various aspects of cryptography work.Some math-based sections are included, but overall math knowledge is assumed to be minimal.
Nothing presents the fundamentals as well. But I'm not sure that it would really make any difference -- the field now evolves so swiftly that any detailed, thorough volume would be obsolete by the time it reaches the shelves.So instead of looking for something more recent, pick up Applied Cryptography. Read it and keep it close at hand as a reference (mine is almost falling apart from years of loving use). Sadly, this book is more than a few years old. If you need to know about a new cipher, a new hash, a new encryption mode or protocol, that's what the Internet is for.But to really understand the underlying ideas, techniques, challenges, risks, and rewards of cryptography, nothing finer exists. For clarity of description, for illustration, and for its success at communicating essential concepts and ideas without resorting entirely to mathematics, it is without peer.Every so often I look on Amazon and hope that I'll find Schneier has penned a third edition, updating this work with the results of the AES selection process and all the other recent developments in this suddenly fast paced field. That said, it is still the finest single volume introduction to data security in the modern age. Alas, I don't think that's going to happen.
It has at least the merit that it did stimulate my curiosity about number theory when I have read the first edition of this book.Another point that makes this book interesting is that at the end of each chapter presenting the various algorithms in a given category, you will get Bruce Schneier opinion on which algorithm is the best. It describes the political implications of cryptography and finally it shows how cryptography can be used in applications and presents the different cryptographic algorithms.The algorithm section starts with a number theory primer.Honestly, I have found it a little bit too thin to learn all the needed background to fully understand the algorithms but on the other side, you cannot expect a simple 600 pages book to provide that background in the latest mathematical research number theories. Of course, this type of information usually become outdated real fast but it is interesting to follow his thought process and test his predictions as the book grow older.So, if you are looking for your first cryptography book, it should be this one. This book is extremely complete. It briefly covers the history of cryptography.
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