Basic Cryptography and Programming with Crypto API (Coursera)

Basic Cryptography and Programming with Crypto API (Coursera)

In this MOOC, we will learn the basic concepts and principles of crytography, apply basic cryptoanalysis to decrypt messages encrypted with mono-alphabetic substitution cipher, and discuss the strongest encryption technique of the one-time-pad and related quantum key distribution systems. We will also learn the efficient symmetric key cryptography algorithms for encrypting data, discuss the DES and AES standards, study the criteria for selecting AES standard, present the block cipher operating modes and discuss how they can prevent and detect the block swapping attacks, and examine how to defend against replay attacks.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

We will learn the Diffie-Hellman Symmetric Key Exchange Protocol to generate a symmetric key for two parties to communicate over insecure channel. We will learn the modular arithmetic and the Euler Totient Theorem to appreciate the RSA Asymmetric Crypto Algorithm, and use OpenSSL utility to realize the basic operations of RSA Crypto Algorithm. Armed with this knowledge, we learn how to use PHP Crypto API to write secure programs for encrypting and decrypting documents and for signing and verify documents. We then apply these techniques to enhance the registration process of a website which ensures the account created is actually requested by the owner of the email account.
Course 2 of 4 in the Fundamentals of Computer Network Security Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Basic Cryptography
In this module we learn the basic concepts and principles of crytography, introduce the basic concept of cryptoanalysis using mono-alphabetic substitution cipher as an example, and discuss the one-time-pad and quantum key distribution concepts.

WEEK 2
Symmetric Key Cryptography
In this module we present the basic mechanism of symmetric key crytography algorithms, discuss the DES and AES standard, describe the criteria for selecting AES standard, present the block cipher operating modes and discuss how the block swapping attacks and replay attacks can be prevented and detected.

WEEK 3
Assymetric Key Cryptography
In this module we will learn the Diffie-Hellman Symmetric Key Exchange Protocol, the modular arithmetic, the Euler Totient Theorm, and RSA Asymmetric Crypto Algorithm, and use OpenSSL to realize the basic operations of RSA Crypto Algorithm.
Graded: Project 2b. Decipher the message encrypted with shared key established by the Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange Protocol

WEEK 4
Develop Secure Programs with Crypto API
In this module, we learn how to use Crypto API to write secure programs for encrypting and decrypting documents, and for signing and verify documents. We then apply the techniques to enhance the registration process of a website which ensures the account created is actually belonging to the owner of the email account the request profile.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

C++程序设计 (Coursera) Coursera
Peking University

C++程序设计 (Coursera)

讲授C++语言中和面向对象有关的概念和语法,如类和对象、运算符重载、继承和多态、类模板和算法模板、标准模板库等。目标是使得学生能够用C++语言,以面向对象的方法编写可维护性、可扩充性好的,较大规模的程序,初步领会面向对象程序设计方法的优势所在。

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Open Source Programming - Master's (Coursera) Coursera
Illinois Tech

Open Source Programming - Master's (Coursera)

Contemporary open-source programming languages and frameworks are presented in this course. Students will consider design and development topics in system, graphical user interface, network, and web programming. Dynamic scripting languages are covered using object-oriented, concurrent, and functional programming paradigms. Concepts gained throughout the course are reinforced with numerous exercises which will culminate in an open-source programming project.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh,Universidad ORT Uruguay

Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming (Coursera)

Have you ever wished you knew how to program, but had no idea where to start from? This course will teach you how to program in Scratch, an easy to use visual programming language. More importantly, it will introduce you to the fundamental principles of computing and it will help you think like a software engineer.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Network Systems Foundations (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Network Systems Foundations (Coursera)

Welcome! Throughout this course, Network Systems Foundations, you will delve into the fundamental layers of network communication. You will start with a thorough discussion of the Link Layer and its crucial role, moving on to the intricacies of Internet Protocol (IP) and router data planes, and then navigate through the complexities of the transport layer, application layer, and network security.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Aprenda a ensinar programação com o Programaê! (Coursera) Coursera
Fundação Lemann,Fundação Telefônica

Aprenda a ensinar programação com o Programaê! (Coursera)

O curso "Aprenda a ensinar programação com o Programaê!" tem como objetivo apoiar professores no desenvolvimento de suas aulas com o ‘Programaê!’, um movimento que quer aproximar a programação do cotidiano de jovens de todo o Brasil por meio de um portal prático, agregador de ideias, soluções, dicas e planos de aula estruturados para professores.

Nov 16th 2026
3 Weeks
Blockchain Scalability and its Foundations in Distributed Systems (Coursera) Coursera
The University of Sydney

Blockchain Scalability and its Foundations in Distributed Systems (Coursera)

Blockchain promises to disrupt industries once it will be efficient at large scale. In this course, you will learn how to make blockchain scale. You will learn about the foundational problem of distributed computing, consensus, that is key to create blocks securely. By illustrating limitations of mainstream blockchains, this course will indicate how to improve the technology in terms of security and efficiency. In particular, this course will help you: understand security vulnerabilities of mainstream blockchains; design consensus algorithms that tolerate attacks, and; design scalable blockchain systems.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Open Source Programming - Bachelor's (Coursera) Coursera
Illinois Tech

Open Source Programming - Bachelor's (Coursera)

Contemporary open-source programming languages and frameworks are presented in this course. Students will consider design and development topics in system, graphical user interface, network, and web programming. Dynamic scripting languages are covered using object-oriented, concurrent, and functional programming paradigms. Concepts gained throughout the course are reinforced with numerous exercises which will culminate in an open-source programming project.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Programming Languages, Part C (Coursera) Coursera
University of Washington

Programming Languages, Part C (Coursera)

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of programming languages, with a strong emphasis on functional programming. The course uses the languages ML, Racket, and Ruby as vehicles for teaching the concepts, but the real intent is to teach enough about how any language “fits together” to make you more effective programming in any language -- and in learning new ones.

Nov 16th 2026
3 Weeks
VLSI CAD Part I: Logic (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

VLSI CAD Part I: Logic (Coursera)

A modern VLSI chip has a zillion parts -- logic, control, memory, interconnect, etc. How do we design these complex chips? Answer: CAD software tools. Learn how to build thesA modern VLSI chip is a remarkably complex beast: billions of transistors, millions of logic gates deployed for computation and control, big blocks of memory, embedded blocks of pre-designed functions designed by third parties (called “intellectual property” or IP blocks). How do people manage to design these complicated chips? Answer: a sequence of computer aided design (CAD) tools takes an abstract description of the chip, and refines it step-wise to a final design.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks