Personal Encryption Clearly Explained [Paperback]

Pete Loshin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Clearly Explained | Publication Date: May 27, 1998

This book is a hands-on guide for effectively using cryptography and encryption. It opens with an introduction to the concepts of modern encryption: secret-key encryption, public key encryption, digital signatures and user authentication mechanisms. The book then moves into why encryption is necessary, how it can be used to protect information at the individual level and how the new cryptographic technologies are implemented in both software and hardware. Key to the book is how to efficiently set-up a personal encryption system, and how to use it to protect yourself while browsing the Web, sending and receiving e-mail, or using any Internet application.

* Explains why individuals need to use encryption and covers other cryptographic tools
* How encryption and digital signatures work
* How to use common software to encrypt communications and data
* How to use common software to digitally sign data and messages

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thorough exploration of the basics of encryption - the technology that will be the foundation for commerce and communication in the coming millennia. Loshin moves through topics revealing each layer in precise detail, making it possible for a newcomer to walk away with a complete education. The thoroughness makes it a good reference for filling in gaps and answering questions." -- Peter Wayner, author of Disappearing Cryptography, Digital Cash, and Digital Copyright Protection

About the Author

Pete Loshin writes and consults about Internet protocols and open source network technologies. Formerly on staff at BYTE Magazine, Information Security Magazine and other publications, his work appears regularly in leading trade publications and websites including CPU, Computerworld, PC Magazine, EarthWeb, Internet.com, and CNN. Pete Loshin, Independent Consultant

Product Details

• Paperback: 545 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (May 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0124558372
• ISBN-13: 978-0124558373
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,992,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Encryption by Example let down by early chapters, February 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Personal Encryption Clearly Explained (Paperback)

This isnt a bad book despite the 3 stars I've given it. The first part of the book describes the theory and aspects of cryptography. I felt it was rather waffly and not precise enough. I wanted more diagrams and more stuff like Appendix A in the early chapters. By page 100 I felt the knowledge I had learnt could have been dealt with in 10 pages.

The 2nd half of the book is quite good. Lots of walk throughs with the likes of verisign (getting a digital id) and emailing with PGP. However, the book assumes you already have the software, eg PGP and I had to refer to Appendix B to find where to download software.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was delighted with this book!, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Personal Encryption Clearly Explained (Paperback)

Many years ago, when atomic testing was in full swing in the New Mexico desert, The New Yorker ran a cartoon showing two indians exchanging smoke signals when a giant mushroom cloud appeared over the horizon. The caption was one of the indians saying, "I wish I had said that!".

I felt that way when I read PERSONAL ENCRYPTION. I found it a most enjoyable and useful treatment of a non-trivial subject.

As a former IBM-er (I have been retired for many years, living in Southern Spain) I had the pleasure twenty years ago, when working at the Palo Alto Scientific Center, to meet Marty Hellman who gave us a few seminars on his work in Public Key Encryption. However, I found the subject matter reminiscent of my earlier experience with Norbert Weiner's "Yellow Peril" (Interpolation, Extrapolation, and Smoothing of Stationary Time Series), viz., I could follow it all and nod me head in agreement but, a week later, if I tried to explain the fundamentals to a friend at a cocktail party, I would get my tongue twisted around my eye teeth and couldn't see what I was saying. Since reading this book I can't wait for someone to ask about Public Key Encryption, although I must admit the chance of that happening here in Mojacar, Almeria is vanishingly small.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good explanation of encryption basics including Internet., March 11, 1999

By 

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This review is from: Personal Encryption Clearly Explained (Paperback)

How private are your Internet communications? Would you like an explanation of electronic encryption technology? You may want to determine how much information you are willing to give away - and how much to protect..

The first half of the book is a good explanation of encryption basics that clearly details theory and mechanics. The second half demonstrates useful Internet protection schemes.