Cryptool

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CrypTool is a free software illustrating the cryptographic concepts. A great number of analysis and algorithms are implemented. The graphical interface and the abundant online documentation allow the user, even a newbie, to be introduced to cryptography mysteries. The most classical mechanisms, as well as asymmetric cryptography RSA, ECC, digital signatures or Diffie-Hellman key exchange, are explained by visual animations.

This software is developed in an open source project. Originally it was developed by German companies and universities. Its role was to make the users aware about network security threats and explain them some of the underlying concepts. It is designed rather as an e-learning tool than as a programme to be used productively. It is completely available in English and German.

Currently it runs only on the operating system Microsoft Windows. The current version is written in C++. New sub projects to port it to .NET/WPF and Eclipse/Java already started.

CrypTool has been internationally awarded as an educational software (TeleTrusT Special Award, EISA 2004, IT Security Award NRW 2004).

The download rate of the whole package is about 2000 times a month (about 1/3 of it in English). It is used in schools, universities, companies and agencies for education and awareness training.

The development of CrypTool started in 1998. Current version is 1.4.00 which was released in July 2006.

[edit] External links

• www.cryptool.com The official site