2024-08-07 –, Tuscany
Tens of thousands of encrypted messages from the last 500 years have survived in archives, libraries, collections, and attics. This includes encrypted dispatches from aristocrats and diplomats, encrypted military messages, encrypted telegrams, encrypted newspaper advertisements, encrypted postcards, encrypted diaries, and encrypted messages created by criminals. Previously unknown ciphertexts are discovered frequently.
DECODE, a database for historical ciphertexts, currently has about 8000 entries, and it keeps growing (https://de-crypt.org/decrypt-web).
While many of these old cryptograms are easily broken today, others are more difficult. And then, there are still numerous unsolved ciphertexts from the last 500 years. As a result of inter-disciplinary research, techniques for breaking historical ciphers have made considerable progress in recent years.
This presentation introduces the most important historical ciphers and modern techniques to break them - based on the 2023 book “Codebreaking: A Practical Guide” authored by the presenters. Many real-world examples are provided, with slides that use an entertaining style including Lego brick models, self-drawn cartoons, and animations.
Tens of thousands of encrypted messages from the last 500 years have survived in archives, collections, libraries, and attics. This includes encrypted dispatches from aristocrats and diplomats, encrypted military messages, encrypted telegrams, encrypted newspaper advertisements, encrypted postcards, encrypted diaries, and encrypted messages created by criminals. Previously unknown ciphertexts are discovered frequently.
DECODE, a database for historical ciphertexts, currently has about 8000 entries, and it keeps growing (https://de-crypt.org/decrypt-web).
Breaking real encrypted messages that have been created before the advent of modern crypto software has become an active field of research. Specialists have recently deciphered letters written by Mary Queen of Scots and the Zodiac Killer, and sent to 19th century polar explorer Richard Collinson. In addition, numerous ciphertexts of less prominent origin have been broken, which often lead to fascinating insights into the everyday life of long-gone times.
While many of these old cryptograms are easily broken today, others are more difficult. And then, there are still numerous unsolved ciphertexts from the last 500 years. Some of these have been examined by numerous codebreaking experts, others haven’t.
As a result of inter-disciplinary research, techniques for breaking historical ciphers have made considerable progress in recent years. Computer-based cryptanalysis methods such as hill climbing and simulated annealing have been successfully applied to break original WWII Enigma messages and others. The record in solving short Playfair messages has improved: whereas two decades ago the shortest Playfair ciphertext that could be cracked required a minimum of 60 letters, now messages as short as 26 letters can be solved.
This presentation introduces the most important historical ciphers, and modern techniques to break them - based on the 2023 book "Codebreaking: A Practical Guide" authored by the presenters. Many real-world examples will be provided, with slides that use an entertaining style including Lego brick models, self-drawn cartoons, and animations.
For examples, check the following links:
https://scienceblogs.de/klausis-krypto-kolumne/who-can-solve-this-coded-world-war-i-carrier-pigeon-message/
https://scienceblogs.de/klausis-krypto-kolumne/an-encrypted-postcard-from-pennsylvania-and-more/
https://scienceblogs.de/klausis-krypto-kolumne/solved-the-notebook-of-emil-klein/
https://scienceblogs.de/klausis-krypto-kolumne/two-more-coded-carrier-pigeon-messages-from-the-first-world-war/
