Assignment - Discussion Topic 1

The Vigenère Cipher

Primary Task Response:

Please provide a detailed response to the below to include specific details and examples.

• What is the Vigenère Cipher?
• How does it work?
• Although the Vigenère cipher was an improvement upon previous historical encryption techniques, it is still vulnerable.  How would an attacker break a Vigenère-style cipher? 

Try your hand!

1.  Encrypt the below message using the Vigenère cipher.

• NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY.

2.  Decrypt the below message using the Vigenère cipher.  The passphrase is ‘crypto.’

• Vyc Kbugecgx Qkgftk kcj btosnfntw pa dyiasorrxvwce Zatwuv bt Owivltks ke rwx 16hj tccmitp

3.  Create a Vigenère cipher of your own and see who can crack it!  Toward the end of the week, provide the solution to your cipher.

Peer Response(s):  Read the responses from your peers, attempt to crack the cipher codes presented and offer a constructive critique or additional information that adds substantively to the discussions.  Be sure to acknowledge any outside sources you use.