Cryptography Course

Cryptography is the practice of protecting information in a way that keeps eavesdroppers from learning valuable info. Learn about cryptographic methods, symmetric and asymmetric cryptosystems, hashing, digital certificates, trust models, PKIs, and password cracking.

3 hours, 5 minutes

Syllabus

Ask me anything

Video - 00:02:00
Digital cryptocurrencies provide a centralized public way to pay for goods and services. This video explains the relationship between cryptocurrency, public ledgers and the blockchain.
SSH public key authentication lab

Video - 00:09:00
Multifactor authentication should always be used for administrative accounts. In this demo, SSH public key authentication is configured for a Linux host.
Exam question review

Video - 00:02:00
Protecting sensitive data can be done using many techniques. In this episode , the viewer is tested on the best security control for a given scenario.
Password cracking demo

Video - 00:06:00
Dan demonstrates how to use a password cracking tool to turn hashed passwords into cleartext.
Password cracking

Video - 00:10:00
Passwords are often stored in hash format but can still be susceptible to attacks. The various password attacks include brute force, dictionary, and rainbow table. Salting and key stretching add another layer of security to hashed passwords.
Cryptographic attacks

Video - 00:05:00
In this episode, Mike explains how encrypted information is at risk and explores ways to protect it.
Touring certificates

Video - 00:09:00
Mike tours various certificates in this episode.
Certificate types

Video - 00:14:00
Mike reviews different types of certificates including Web, e-mail, code-signing, machine/computer, and user.
Public Key Infrastructure

Video - 00:04:00
In this episode, Mike discusses public key infrastructure (PKI), used to enable commerce and other secure activities over the Internet.
Trust models

Video - 00:05:00
Web of trust is a mostly outdated method of proving identities; however, it is helpful to understand as the predecessor of public key infrastructure (PKI) which is widely used today.
Understanding digital certificates

Video - 00:08:00
Digital certificates are used in many different places to verify the identity of a public key owner. They can also include verification from third parties for an added layer of security.
Hashing

Video - 00:09:00
Hashes provide assurance of data integrity using fascinating mathematical calculations. Passwords are a very common use for hashing.
Diffie-Hellman

Video - 00:07:00
Learn the Diffie-Hellman key exchange agreement and methods in this very complex algorithm.
Asymmetric cryptosystems

Video - 00:13:00
In this episode, Mike describes encrypting and decrypting data with different keys and the magic that happens when key pairs are generated.
Symmetric block modes

Video - 00:08:00
Symmetric block algorithms have limitations depending on which kind of cipher is used. This episode explores the different block modes.
Symmetric cryptosystems

Video - 00:13:00
In this episode, Mike describes encrypting and decrypting data with the same key. He also covers how symmetric algorithms can either be block or streaming and use various types of ciphers depending on which one is used.
Cryptographic methods

Video - 00:07:00
This episode introduces various methods used to protect the critical keys in cryptography that keep communication secure.
Data protection

Video - 00:09:00
Data are not all the same. Whether data are at rest, in use, or in transit will affect how you can best secure it.
Cryptography basics

Video - 00:16:00
Cryptography is the practice of disguising information in a way that looks random. This episode explores the history of cryptography and how it has evolved into the complex systems today.
Security+ - Cryptography

Lab - 00:30:00
When using the Internet, users retrieve or share information. Depending on the application, purpose, and implementation methods, the need to provide data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity emerges. To ensure these requirements are fulfilled and that only authorized parties have access to the data, the information transmitted over the Internet is obfuscated.

Meet the author

Mike Meyers

Mike Meyers, affectionately called the "Alpha Geek," is the industry's leading authority on CompTIA certifications. He is the president and co-founder of Total Seminars, LLC, a provider of PC and network repair seminars, books, videos and courseware for thousands of organizations throughout the world. Mike has been involved in the computer and network repair industry since 1987 as a technician, instructor, author, consultant and speaker. He has sold over a million IT and certification books, including the best-selling CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide and CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide. He has personally taught thousands of students, including U.S. senators, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, members of the United Nation, every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, many branches of the Department of Justice, hundreds of corporate clients and academic students at every level.
Learn More

Unlock 7 days of free training

  • 1,400+ hands-on courses and labs
  • Certification practice exams
  • Skill assessments
Start a Free Trial

Plans & pricing

Infosec Skills Personal

$299 / year

Buy Now 7-Day Free Trial
  • 190+ role-guided learning paths (e.g., Ethical Hacking, Threat Hunting)
  • 100s of hands-on labs in cloud-hosted cyber ranges
  • Custom certification practice exams (e.g., CISSP, Security+)
  • Skill assessments
  • Infosec peer community support

Infosec Skills Teams

$799 per license / year

Book a Meeting
  • Team administration and reporting
  • Dedicated client success manager
  • Single sign-on (SSO)
    Easily authenticate and manage your learners by connecting to any identity provider that supports the SAML 2.0 standard.
  • Integrations via API
    Retrieve training performance and engagement metrics and integrate learner data into your existing LMS or HRS.
  • 190+ role-guided learning paths and assessments (e.g., Incident Response)
  • 100s of hands-on labs in cloud-hosted cyber ranges
  • Create and assign custom learning paths
  • Custom certification practice exams (e.g., CISSP, CISA)
  • Optional upgrade: Guarantee team certification with live boot camps

Learn about scholarships and financing with

Affirm logo

Award-winning training you can trust