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ABSTRACT

There are rising concerns about data security in our society. Strong cryptographic systems provide a primary means of dealing with these concerns. Since encryption algorithms are an integral component of any cryptographic system, computer science students need to understand how encryption algorithms work. However, the complexity of encryption algorithms inhibits both authors and professors from providing multiple and/or dynamic examples. This paper describes a new pedagogical tool that provides interactive step by step demonstrations of the encryption processes for various algorithms on user defined strings and scalability to allow for the addition of future algorithms. This tool is ideal for professors and students because it shows error free step by step descriptions in an interactive environment. It is designed to be used in conjunction with a lecture or outside reading material. Furthermore, this tool's object oriented nature allows the user to change the interface, add subsequent algorithms, and even incorporate the package into other software for actual encryption purposes. We have made the tool freely available on the web.

REFERENCES

• 1: Niels Ferguson , Bruce Schneier, Practical Cryptography, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 2003
• 2: http://homepage.smc.edu/morgan_david/vpn/des.htm
• 3: http://www.cryptool.com
• 4: http://www.mapleapps.com/powertools/cryptography/Cryptography.shtml
• 5: http://www.merlot.org
• 6: Fred Piper , Sean Murphy, Cryptography: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2002
• 7: Schneier, Bruce. <u>Applied Cryptography</u>. New York. John Wiley, 1996

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.4 OPERATING SYSTEMS
      D.4.6 Security and Protection
          Subjects: Cryptographic controls

Additional Classification:
  E. Data
  E.3 DATA ENCRYPTION

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education

General Terms:
Experimentation, Human Factors, Security

Keywords:
cryptography, decryption, encryption, simulator, teaching aid