Concept in Definition ABC

A cryptogram is a writing in code. Normally each sign used in this type of message corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. In this way, a number or an image is equivalent to a certain sign of the alphabet. If we look at the etymology of the term, cryptogram comes from the Greek, specifically from cryptós, which means hidden, and from grama, which means representation graph. Remember that when something is indecipherable or very difficult to understand we say that it is something cryptic.

The resolution of a cryptogram always involves deciphering something that initially appears as an enigma. The knowledge that studies these codes in code is cryptography.

The historical origin of the pictograms

At present the pictogram it is used as an intellectual exercise for leisure. In this sense, it is similar to deciphering the meaning of a hieroglyph. However, this modality of writing It was formerly used to keep certain information secret that could not be known for some reason.

In this sense, cryptograms were effective in allowing a persecuted religious group to keep its activities secret. From the earliest times the strategy The military of the armies has resorted to this type of coded language to hide information from the enemy armies.

The Voynich Manuscript is the most enigmatic cryptogram in existence

It is estimated that this manuscript was written about 500 years ago. It is unknown who wrote it and, above all, the meaning of the alphabet used in his writing is completely unknown. The purpose of the drawings that appear in it is also unknown.

The name of the manuscript is due to the Lithuanian Wilfrid Voynich, a specialist in ancient manuscripts who acquired this book in 1912. Currently the original manuscript can be found in the Yale University Library, specifically in the Beinecke Library dedicated to rare books.

Since its discovery, several cryptographers have tried to decipher its true meaning. Despite efforts, the Voynich Manuscript remains a mystery.

Cryptography is an antecedent of computer language

Most of the operations we carry out through Internet They are protected by a complex mathematical encryption and decryption mechanism based on combinations of prime numbers. For this reason, in the terminology of the computing there is talk of encrypting keys and discipline that deals with this activity is known as cryptography computing.

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