Crypto 101 – Introductory course on cryptography (2017)

234 points by pona-a 3 days ago | 15 comments
  • teleforce 3 days ago
    Thanks for the link.

    You can download this entire Handbook of Applied Cryptography for free [1].

    Recently the authors also provided online course and video namely:

    - Cryptography 101: Building Blocks (fundamental cryptographic primitives) [2]

    - Cryptography 101: Real-World Deployments (PKI, TLS, Bluetooth, AWS, Signal) [3]

    Other courses and video includes:

    - The Mathematics of Lattice-Based Cryptography (introductory course)

    - Kyber and Dilithium (standardized lattice-based cryptosystems)

    - Hash-based signature schemes (LMS, XMSS, SPHINCS+)

    - Error-Correcting Codes (linear, Hamming, Golay, cyclic, BCH, Reed-Solomon codes

    [1] Handbook of Applied Cryptography:

    https://cacr.uwaterloo.ca/hac/

    [2] Crypto 101: Building Blocks:

    https://cryptography101.ca/crypto101-building-blocks/

    [3] Crypto 101: Real-World Deployments:

    https://cryptography101.ca/crypto101-deployments/

    • xavdid 3 days ago
      I don't remember if it links to it, but this pairs well with https://cryptopals.com/, which are practical examples of many of these theories.
      • baxtr 3 days ago
        >Fortunately, we donʼt have an algorithm that can factor such large numbers in reasonable time. Unfortunately, we also havenʼt proven it doesnʼt exist. Even more unfortunate is that there is a theoretical algorithm, called Shorʼs algorithm, that would be able to factor such a number in reasonable time on a quantum computer. Right now, quantum computers are far from practical, but it does appear that if someone in the future manages to build one thatʼs sufficiently large, RSA becomes ineffective.

        Can anyone comment on how close we are to having Shor's algorithm on a quantum computer? Is feasible like the moon landing was in 1962 when Kennedy announced that "We choose to go to the Moon" (hard, but possible with a lot of money).

        Or is it still something that we have no clue how to get to?

      • mac-monet 3 days ago
        About to finish reading "Real World Cryptograhy" by David Wong, would highly recommend for anyone curious about this subject.
        • z3phyr 3 days ago
          I think cryptanalysis as a discipline is not massively funded. All of the cryptography is only as strong as the collective failure of all human intelligence so far to break it.

          Most people consider cryptography as a "solved" problem, but I don't think it is. I am sure if enough cryptologists try algorithmic methods and are well compensated for it, they will likely find algorithmic weaknesses (and invent new kinds of mathematics) that can bring down complexity of solving such schemes, even before we have real and functional Shor machines.

          • thaumasiotes 3 days ago
            > I think cryptanalysis as a discipline is not massively funded.

            Really? That would be a change.

            • z3phyr 3 days ago
              I guess massively is the relative word. But I will stand by the claim that we can discover/invent new mathematical methods that can aid in cryptanalysis, if not directly by cryptographers, then by some adjacent field.
          • anorphirith 3 days ago
            this is the type of crypto i like
            • HJD2BHVaxDA 3 days ago
              [flagged]
              • teiferer 3 days ago
                Blockchains/cryptocurrencies are actually quite simple, from a cryptographic POV.
                • beeflet 3 days ago
                  I disagree. While it's true that early cryptocurrencies were based on well established cryptography, a lot of the modern (post 2017-ish) cryptocurrency tech involves cutting-edge cryptography. Especially with respect to post-quantum setups, zero-knowlege proofs, and new devices like adaptor signatures.

                  One reason for this is that cryptocurrencies are highly bandwidth-limited. Cryptography developed for other applications (such as voting systems, etc.) needs to be specialized to meet the size and computational restraints inherent to cryptocurrency design. Efficiency is everything.

                • titanomachian 3 days ago
                  You wouldn't happen to be a cryptobro yourself, would you?
              • physix 3 days ago
                This looks to be really well written. After 25 odd pages, I'm saying to myself, can't wait to read the whole book.
                • pythops 3 days ago
                  Looks great, thanks for sharing
                  • 3 days ago