Simple Cipher Examples

Cryptography · Axiom Academy

EXAMPLE Simple Cipher Examples Walk through classic cipher techniques: ROT13, Atbash, substitution, and encoding methods Excellent work! You've explored fundamental cipher techniques. Here's what we learned: ROT13 is symmetric: Applying ROT13 twice returns the original message, making encryption and decryption identical operations. Atbash uses reversal: The Atbash cipher reverses the alphabet (A↔Z, B↔Y), making it simple but predictable. Substitution requires a key: Custom substitution ciphers map each letter uniquely, requiring both parties to know the substitution table. Encoding vs. Encryption: Base64 is encoding (not encryption) - it transforms data format but provides no security. Historical significance: These classic ciphers laid the foundation for modern cryptography, teaching us about symmetric operations and key management. While simple ciphers are easily broken today, understanding them helps you appreciate modern cryptographic algorithms like AES and RSA!

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full Cryptography course.