Concept in Definition ABC

Hidden or encrypted messages, some coded secrets and certain conspiracies can be decrypted. The discipline that deals with this is cryptology, although sometimes another term is used, cryptography. Both words share the Greek word crypto, which means hidden or secret.

Hiding messages

- In Ancient Egypt some hieroglyphs hid information through strange symbols and images and most of them have been revealed thousands of years later.

- Among the ancient Hebrews, scholars modified the traditional alphabet by some symbols (this encryption system is called Atbash).

- The Greeks wrote hidden messages on tables of wood and above them other normal messages were written.

- Some Roman slaves hid on their heads a tattoo that was camouflaged by their hair until the slave met the recipient of the information and shaved his head to finally show the message hidden.

-Emperor Julius Caesar devised a cryptographic system to communicate with his generals without anyone being able to understand the true meaning.

- According to some recent studies, the book of Genesis contains secret information on dates and relevant data and for this reason it has been reached think that these messages could be related to certain historical events.

Cracking codes

In the Middle Ages Advanced techniques were developed to decipher the enigmatic secret codes. In most cases, the procedure consisted of analyze the frequencies of the letters in the texts.

Cryptology experts argue that certain techniques can help resolve encrypted information. The procedures They are based on exercising three mental skills: maintaining concentration, enhancing short-term memory and trying to perceive possible patterns.

During World War II, the English mathematician Alan Turing dedicated himself to deciphering the secret codes of the Germans. To achieve his goal he devised a machine that he named "The Bomb". With this invention he intended to decipher the enemy codes that were made from another machine, "Enigma".

After many failed attempts, Alan Turing and his assistants managed to unveil thousands of coded messages and thanks to this the allies were able to defeat Nazi Germany

At present, crypotology is a discipline directly related to the math and with the computing. The handling of integers, certain algebraic calculations and the use of algorithms are the mathematical tools necessary to know the truth of the coded messages.

Photos: Fotolia - Alexander / Lagartija