Product Description

". . .the best introduction to cryptography I′ve ever seen. . . . The book the National Security Agency wanted never to be published. . . ." –Wired Magazine

". . .monumental . . . fascinating . . . comprehensive . . . the definitive work on cryptography for computer programmers . . ." –Dr. Dobb′s Journal

". . .easily ranks as one of the most authoritative in its field." –PC Magazine

". . .the bible of code hackers." –The Millennium Whole Earth Catalog

This new edition of the cryptography classic provides you with a comprehensive survey of modern cryptography. The book details how programmers and electronic communications professionals can use cryptography–the technique of enciphering and deciphering messages–to maintain the privacy of computer data. It describes dozens of cryptography algorithms, gives practical advice on how to implement them into cryptographic software, and shows how they can be used to solve security problems. Covering the latest developments in practical cryptographic techniques, this new edition shows programmers who design computer applications, networks, and storage systems how they can build security into their software and systems.

What′s new in the Second Edition?
∗ New information on the Clipper Chip, including ways to defeat the key escrow mechanism
∗ New encryption algorithms, including algorithms from the former Soviet Union and South Africa, and the RC4 stream cipher
∗ The latest protocols for digital signatures, authentication, secure elections, digital cash, and more
∗ More detailed information on key management and cryptographic implementations

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39680 in Books
• Published on: 1995-11-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 758 pages

Wired Magazine
the best introduction to cryptography I've ever seen ... The book the National Security Agency wanted never to be published...

Review
"the definitive publicly available text on the theory and practice of cryptography" (Computer Shopper, January 2002)

PC Magazine
...easily ranks as one of the most authoritative in its field.

Customer Reviews

The best introduction to cryptography I have read
If you are already a cryppie or other security professional, this book will not add much to your knowledge. But if you are a programmer or other systems person with a desire to familiarize yourself with the field, I can't recommend this book highly enough. A reasonably solid mathematical background is required to fully understand the algorithms, but the book is structured in such a way that you can skip most of the heavily technical stuff and still get a lot out of the read.

Because this is essentially an introductory text, generality is the name of the game. Pretty much everything is covered, but to a low, or medium at best, degree of depth. (Only DES is covered thoroughly.) However, the reference list in the back is huge, and you can use it to easily track down any more detailed information that you're after.

An excellent introduction
This is without a doubt the best book to introduce anyone to cryptography on a detailed level, providing readable definitions of protocols, and a valuable mathematical introduction to help you keep your head above the water. If you have a solid mathematical base and crypto knowledge, the Handbook of Applied Cryptography would be a better reference, but for the rest of us, Applied Cryptography is superb.

An true all-rounder.
This book supplies information at all levels. I am a computer scientist with a poor mathmatical background- it managed to explain the maths in a simple and methodical way. It also includes brief insights into quantum mechanics. A truly brilliant book for technical people from all disciplines and at all levels.