By simple definition, Cryptography is the art of writing or solving codes in order to transfer data securely. There are various ways in which this is done, and cryptography can be used for any digital properties: code, images, files, etc.
One way cryptography protects data is through obfuscation – scrambled or unclear data – is used as a method of protecting code in transportation, usually for images. This encryption is then decrypted on the recipient end by microdots or merging – techniques derived from Egyptian hieroglyphics.
For the most part though, cryptography is used for encrypting and decrypting texts and emails using the secret-key system. The secret-key is required to unlock the data content. This mostly functions autonomously and is used daily by just about everyone. These keys have two forms: a public key so that senders or recipients can commence the exchange, and a private key used for decoding all received messages.
So how is cryptography active in cryptocurrency and blockchain?
In case you didn’t put 2 and 2 together, the “crypto” In cryptocurrency stands for cryptography. Cryptography has evolved to a new level with blockchain and cryptocurrency. To begin with, cryptocurrency protocols such as keys and seed-phrases are all cryptographic. Almost all security features are some form of cryptography interlocked with blockchain protocols, a force believed to be the strongest and most ingenious security measures the world has seen.
Loss protection and theft protection are unmatched, the only way you’ll lose funds is if you are tricked or deceived into sending them to the wrong address or willingly giving up delicate information (100% human error, 0% technological).
One day other protocols may become stronger than private key systems in cryptocurrency, but for now cryptography is essential, and second to nothing.
