Cryptanalysis: meaning, definitions and examples
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cryptanalysis
[ ˌkrɪptəˈnæləsɪs ]
security
The process of analyzing and deciphering encrypted messages or codes in order to reveal their hidden meaning or content. Cryptanalysis involves various techniques such as frequency analysis, brute force attacks, and statistical analysis.
Synonyms
codebreaking, cryptoanalysis, decryption.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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cryptanalysis |
Primarily used in academic and professional settings to describe the study and methods used to decode encrypted information.
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codebreaking |
Commonly used to describe the practice of deciphering coded messages, often with historical and practical connotations, such as during wartime.
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decryption |
Specifically refers to the process of converting encoded data back into its original form, commonly used in both technical and everyday contexts.
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cryptoanalysis |
Often used interchangeably with cryptanalysis in informal contexts, but less commonly seen in professional literature.
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Examples of usage
- The cryptanalysis of the Enigma machine played a crucial role in World War II.
- Modern cryptanalysis relies heavily on computer algorithms to break encryption codes.
- One of the challenges of cryptanalysis is to distinguish between random noise and actual meaningful data.
Translations
Translations of the word "cryptanalysis" in other languages:
🇵🇹 criptoanálise
🇮🇳 क्रिप्टोविश्लेषण
🇩🇪 Kryptoanalyse
🇮🇩 kriptanalisis
🇺🇦 криптоаналіз
🇵🇱 kryptanaliza
🇯🇵 暗号解読 (あんごうかいどく)
🇫🇷 cryptanalyse
🇪🇸 criptoanálisis
🇹🇷 kriptoanaliz
🇰🇷 암호 해독 (암호 해독)
🇸🇦 تحليل الشفرات
🇨🇿 kryptanalýza
🇸🇰 kryptanalýza
🇨🇳 密码分析 (mìmǎ fēnxī)
🇸🇮 kriptanaliza
🇮🇸 dulmálsgreining
🇰🇿 криптоаналіз
🇬🇪 კრიპტოანალიზი
🇦🇿 kriptotəhlil
🇲🇽 criptoanálisis
Etymology
The term 'cryptanalysis' originated from the Greek words kryptós (hidden) and analýein (to loosen or untie). The practice of cryptanalysis dates back to ancient civilizations, where secret messages were often encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. Throughout history, cryptanalysis has played a significant role in warfare, espionage, and information security.
See also: crypt, cryptanalyst, cryptanalytics, cryptic, crypto, cryptogram, cryptography, cryptology, cryptosystem, decrypt, encrypt.