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Handbook of Applied Cryptography

Posted by michael on from the complete-from-adelman-to-zimmerman dept.

cconnell writes "The Handbook of Applied Cryptography is now available free (for personal use) on the Internet. This is a $100 book. Note also the companion C source code for most of the crypto algorithms, written by James Pate Williams. There is some very cool code here!"

3 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. hardcopy worth buying by selectspec · · Score: 5, Funny

    The ink cartridges required to print out the some odd 800 pages are worth $100.

    For an online resource this is great in case I'm travelling or my hardcopy is unavailable.

    However, I still want my bible in print.

    --

    Someone you trust is one of us.

  2. It's been free by DeadSea · · Score: 4, Informative
    It's been free for some time now. I downloaded it and read it about a year and a half ago.

    The first chapter is great. It gives a general overview of how cryptograhy works and how it can be defeated. It is somewhat technical, but it doesn't use formulas so it reads easily. If you don't know why security certificates on web sites need to be signed, or why accepting an unsigned certificate could be bad, I would highly recommend reading it. It also shows how different cryptography methods work in general and gives the stengths and weaknesses of each.

    Beyond the first chapter things get a little bit hairy. I have a degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics and much of the math is over my head, or at the very least required several reads. If you are implementing cryptography algorithms I'm sure it is a must read, but for somebody, like me, who is more interested in applications of cryptography, I'd recommend skipping.

  3. A must-have. by rjh · · Score: 4, Informative
    I work in the information security field--or, rather, don't work since I'm unemployed in the tech downturn--and I'm looking at the Handbook of Applied Cryptography right now. It's a pale green tome, a little larger than Schneier's Applied Cryptography (which is standing behind it on the bookshelf). Here's how I would rate the two:
    • AC is by far more readable; HoAC is by far more correct and information-dense.
    • AC gives a very superficial coverage of the material; HoAC could be used as a textbook for a college math course. When I need a quick reminder of what some common RSA exponents are, I pull down AC. When I need in-depth information, I pull down HoAC.
    • AC is easier to navigate.
    • AC makes better leisure reading; HoAC is extremely dry and terse.
    Short answer: if you think you know beans about crypto just because you've read through Applied Cryptography... well, you don't. Read through the Handbook until you can understand and follow all the math that they use, and then you can honestly call yourself a cryptonerd. :)