Today most of us have exposure to what was once a military interest, that being Cryptography. Whether it be home shopping over HTTPS or sending emails using PGP, we've all used it at some time in our 'internet lives'.

The problem, is that a vast majority of people just don't understand the concepts involved in this area, and this can lead to them being incorrectly configured or just misused (to such a point that using it becomes redundant).

To combat the problem I'd like to share, what I consider, to be THE best beginners book on Cryptography, that being Cryptography Decrypted by HX Mel and Doris Baker.

This book achieves what I though was impossible, in that it takes a very complex subject and breaks it down in to very easy to understand elements. All complicated parts, such as the mathematics involved, are moved to Appendixes, making the main text clearer to understand.

The main text itself takes you from the early days of cryptography, using such things as Ceasers Cypher, and slowly ramps up to show how HTTPS, Public Key, Digital Certificates, and Digital Signatures all work.

In short, I've recommended this book to colleagues more times than any other, and I'd certainly recommend it to anybody using the Internet today.

Links

• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com