The Caesar Cipher

Who here can tell me of one of the first people to make and use a cryptographic message and why it was important? Caesar made the first known cryptographic message. Why? Because when a messenger would travel across into dangerous territories, the enemy could easily take and read war and other secret plans. So, Caesar created the Caesar Cypher.

If you have ever seen A Christmas Story, which is based in my childhood hometown a couple of miles from where I grew up. In the movie, we all know the unforgettable scene where Ralphie finally gets his decoder pen. That decoder he used uses the exact Caesar cipher method. Ciphering and deciphering can be completed by moving letters of the alphabet to a different spot on a dial for translation.

For instance, A is 1 of 26 in the English alphabet. Right? Well, if I we started A at 13? Let’s see who can figure out my cipher: Gzvmi Xmtkoj wt Gpixc. With only 26 options, it would take you a moment, but thinking logically like a computer, you would halve the information to possibly get quicker results. Try starting your decoding by going to this website and pasting my text in there, and try adjusting the cipher number until you can actually read the message.

https://cryptii.com/pipes/caesar-cipher

Pretty neat, huh? Well, even cooler is cryptography. Imagine using 64 digits! You have zero chance. AI and quantum chips have a 100% chance. So you aren’t just going to be fighting scammers and hackers, some AI believes they are alive and live normal digital lives like you and I. But, being 64 digits and AES-256 encryption, it has never been broken. If someone ever learns how to break that encryption, there are several more complex versions waiting to be released at a moment’s notice.

You yourself do not have to worry about cryptographic encryption. But it is nice to know that no one can break your encryption. Now, on to the real threat: You. You are more likely to hand over your crypto to a keen scammer on the web or on a phone call. We will discuss crypto security several times in this course.

I only tell you this so you understand how protected your crypto actually is.