Read: Introduction and Chapter One of The Code Book by Simon
Singh
Find at least two non-trivial web sites that deal primarily with
cryptologic issues. The sites should not be advertisements, news stories,
nor Sarah Lawrence web sites (i.e., not any of my pages). Indicate the URL
of the site and how you discovered the site. Familiarize yourself with
navigating the site and with what the site has to offer. Be prepared to
give a brief demonstration of one of the sites you find.
Cryptologic exercises. For the following problems, indicate
sources (book, computer, etc.) you use for assistance, if any.
For each of the following, decipher the message and indicate the
cryptosystem and key (where appropriate) used.
HZIZS OZDIVMXV
TP DH SW TVB CY MQ
The following ciphertext has been encrypted using a shift
cipher. (Spaces have been omitted from the original plaintext.) Write the
corresponding plaintext (i.e., decrypt the message). What is the key?
JSYVWGSVIERHWIZIRCIEVWEKS
Describe a technique for cryptanalyzing any shift cipher. Is your
technique practical for a person to do by hand? Would a computer help?
Why or why not?