The Mysterious World of Cryptography: How Prime Numbers Keep You Safe Online
When you browse the internet, you're actually sharing very personal information with several websites such as email accounts, bank accounts, and social media platforms. In this era of digitalization, we depend on the internet for almost everything but how secure is your personal information online? Can hackers access your information easily? The answer to that question is "No" because of cryptography.
Cryptography is one of the most complex and fascinating topics when it comes to online security. It involves transforming readable information, known as plaintext, into an unreadable format, known as ciphertext. This process is achieved through the use of algorithms and keys.
One of the most popular methods of cryptography is RSA cryptography. It is widely used around the world, and it's security is purely based on the properties of prime numbers. RSA cryptography is used for secure communication in online businesses and banking transactions.
How Does RSA Cryptography Work?
RSA encryption involves the use of two prime numbers, a public key, and a private key. The two prime numbers have to be large, random, and distinct. Once these two prime numbers have been chosen, they are multiplied together to form a composite number. The composite number is used as part of the public key. The other part of the public key is a number that is relatively prime to the product of the two chosen primes. The private key consists of the two prime numbers multiplied together, and two other numbers that correspond to the original public key.
With the public key, the plaintext is encrypted and transformed into ciphertext using a complex mathematical formula. The resulting ciphertext can only be decrypted with the private key, which only the intended recipient possesses. This keeps the information incredibly safe and secure.
Why Are Prime Numbers Important in RSA Cryptography?
Prime numbers are incredibly important in RSA cryptography because of their unique properties.
First, prime numbers cannot be divided by any other number except 1 and themselves. This makes them incredibly useful in RSA cryptography as it makes it hard for hackers to factorize the product of the two prime numbers.
Second, prime numbers are abundant; there are an infinite number of them. This provides an endless supply of prime numbers, which is essential when using them for cryptography.
Conclusion
Without cryptography, online transactions and digital communications would be extremely vulnerable to hacks and cyber attacks. Understanding the complex world of cryptography can help us appreciate the level of security achieved through the use of prime numbers in encryption algorithms.
There are many other forms of cryptography that utilize prime numbers, but RSA cryptography remains one of the most widely used and trusted methods. Now that you've learned the importance of prime numbers in online security, you can appreciate the protection provided next time you log in to your social media account, shop online, or make an online transaction.