A B C
D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U
V W X Y Z
Algorithm - a process for completing a task. An encryption algorithm is the process, usually a mathematical process, to encrypt and decrypt messages.
Asymmetric algorithm -A crypto algorithm that uses different keys for encryption and decryption.
Asymmetric Key Cipher - Also known as public-private key cryptography system
Authentication - the process of verifying that a file or message has not been altered in route from the distributor to the recipient(s).
Authenticity - The ability to ensure that the given information was in fact produced by the entity whose name it carries and that it was not forged or modified.
Brute force cracking - The process of trying to recover a crypto key by trying all reasonable possibilities.
Certificate - An electronic document binding some pieces of information together, such as a user's identity and public-key. Certifying Authorities (CA's) provide certificates.
Certifying
Authority (CA) - A person or
organization that creates certificates.
Certificate revocation - Certificates have a specified lifetime, but
CAs can reduce this lifetime by the process known as certificate revocation
Certificate
revocation list - A list of
certificates that have been revoked before their expiration date.
Cipher - a cryptographic algorithm used to encrypt and decrypt files and messages.
Ciphertext - the disguised (or encrypted) file or message.
Cryptography - the art of creating and using cryptosystems.
Cryptosystem - the entire process of using cryptography. This includes the actions of encrypting and decrypting a file or message, or authenticating the sender of an e-mail message.
Decryption - Any process to convert ciphertext back into plaintext. The inverse (reverse) of encryption.
Digital Signature - systems allow people and organizations to electronically certify such features as their identity, their ability to pay, or the authenticity of an electronic document.
Encryption -The transformation of plaintext into an
apparently less readable form (called ciphertext) through a mathematical
process. The ciphertext may be read by anyone who has the key that decrypts
(undoes the encryption) the ciphertext.
Hash - Improved checksum in which it is hard for someone to construct a data block that generates a predetermined checksum or hash value.
Key - A string of bits used widely in
cryptography, allowing people to encrypt and decrypt data; a key can be used to
perform other mathematical operations as well. Given a cipher, a key determines
the mapping of the plaintext to the ciphertext. See also distributed key,
private key, public key, secret key, session key, shared key, sub key,
symmetric key, weak key.
Nonrepudiation - Ensuring that the signer of a document or communication does not deny the origination, submission, delivery, or integrity of its contents.
PKI - Public-key Infrastructure. PKIs are
designed to solve the key management problem (The various processes that deal
with the creation, distribution, authentication, and storage of keys.) A public key infrastructure is a networked
system of Certification Authorities (CAs), Registration Authorities (RAs),
Certificate Management Systems (CMSs), and X.500 Directories. It enables two
parties unknown to each other to exchange sensitive information and monetary
units over an unsecured network like the Internet.
Plaintext - the original message or file. After a file or message has been encrypted and then decrypted you should end up with the original file or message.
Private Key - the secret key of a public-private key cryptography system. This key is used to "sign" outgoing messages, and is used to decrypt incoming messages.
Public Key - the public key of a public-private key cryptography system. This key is used to confirm "signatures" on incoming messages or to encrypt a file or message so that only the holder of the private key can decrypt the file or message.
Public-private Key Cryptography System - a cryptography system that uses two different keys to lock and unlock (encrypt and decrypt) messages and files. The two keys are mathematically linked together. An individual's public key is distributed to other users and is used to encrypt messages to the individual. The individual keeps the private key secret and uses it to decrypt messages sent with the public key.
Registration - is the process by which subjects make
themselves known to a CA.
Registration Authority (RA) - A Registration Authority (RA) verifies the information provided by an entity requesting a and authorizes the digital signature certificate Authority (CA) to issue the certificate.
RSA algorithm -A public-key cryptosystem based on the
factoring problem. RSA stands for Rivest, Shamir and Adleman, the developers of
the RSA public-key cryptosystem and the founders of RSA Data Security (now RSA Security).
Symmetric Key - the key that is used to encrypt a file or message is the same key that is used to decrypt the file or message.
TTP – Trusted Third Party. When two sides want to authenticated each other it should be using certificates that were issued by a third side.
Verification -The act of recognizing that a person or
entity is who or what it claims to be.
X.509 - X.509 is the current standard for digital certificates from the International Organization for Standards (ISO)