CS/ECE/Math 435, Introduction to Cryptography - Spring 2017
Nigel Boston
Contact Information
3619 Engineering Hall, 303 Van Vleck
Telephone: 265-3817, 263-4753.
E-mail: boston@math.wisc.edu
Homepage
Office Hours: In 3619 EH, 1:30-3 Mon; in 303 VV, 1:30-2:30 Th and 3-3:30 F; or by appointment.
Text
Eric Bach's course notes can be picked up at the University Book Store.
Interesting Links
Summary of Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Security Implications of Using DES (from 2006)
Presentation about Solution of Simon Singh's Cipher Challenges
Famous Unsolved Codes and Ciphers
Comic courtesy of Bill Kay
Diaconis article
Stick figure guide to AES, courtesy of John Cabaj
Vigenere cipher used by Confederacy
Magician card trick of Fitch Cheney
Article on factoring of RSA-129
Twenty years of attacks on the RSA cryptosystem
Course objectives
Familiarity with the major algorithms of historical and
modern cryptography as documented in open literature;
knowledge of issues involved in choice of algorithm and
key size; ability to analyze performance of various cryptographic and cryptanalytic algorithms
Topics covered
-
Classical cryptography: substitution ciphers, polyalphabetic
methods, etc.
-
Introduction to cryptanalysis: frequency counts, coincidence
index, Shannon's theory
-
Block ciphers (DES, IDEA, AES, etc.)
-
Public-key cryptography (modular arithmetic, systems based
on factoring and discrete logarithms)
-
Cryptographic protocols (key exchange methods, digital
signatures, secret sharing, authentication)
Sections
- Main Lecture: MWF, 8:50-9:40, Mech Engr 1106.
Grading Policy
The HW will be worth 10%, each midterm 20%, and the final 50% of your grade.
If you score 90% or higher, you will get an A; if you score 80% or higher, you will at least get a B;
if you score 70% or higher, you will at least get a C; if you score 60% or higher, you will at least
get a D.
Homework Assignments
Homework will be set most Wednesdays and due the following Wednesday (in class- I will not go looking for or accept homeworks
in my mailboxes and offices around campus). You are encouraged to discuss
the exercises with your classmates but the work you hand in should be your own.
- HW1, due Weds, Feb 1
- HW2, due Weds, Feb 8
- HW3, due Weds, Feb 15
- HW4, due Weds, Feb 22
- HW5, due Weds, Mar 8
- HW6, due Weds, Mar 15
- HW7, due Weds, Apr 5
- HW8, due Weds, Apr 19
- HW9, due Weds, Apr 26
- HW10, due Weds, May 3
The following tables may be of help to you:
- Addition and Multiplication mod 26
- Helpful Statistical Information for Cryptograms
Midterms
Midterms will be in class on Friday, March 3, and on Wednesday, April 12. If you have a McBurney visa, then please let
me know as soon as possible (certainly at least two weeks before the 1st midterm) so I can arrange accommodation.
- Practice 1st Midterm, no.1
- Practice 1st Midterm, no.2
- Practice 1st Midterm, no.3
- Practice 2nd Midterm, no.1
- Practice 2nd Midterm, no.2
- Practice 2nd Midterm, no.3
Final
