Storing messages in Binary
In most programming languages there are
techniques that allow the program to disguise
data such as passwords or usernames. Some are
encrypted so that they are difficult to decipher
(crack by hackers), others are disguised. E.g. in
php language if someone typed in the following
username: Jim
Jim could be stored store as Vuy
e.g.
Username = “Jim”
StoreUsername = Str_Rot13(Username)
So if this username was stored in a database and
a hacker gained access they would see Vuy as
the Username.
I used to write secret messages on paper with
lemon juice which could then be made visible by
placing in the paper in the oven and also pass
messages around the class by agreeing with my
classmates what the key will be to decipher (
translate) the message.
Activity
If you had to store your initials in binary what
would the binary code be? (remove box hiding
clue below if you need help).
Clue : decide what number each letter of the
alphabet could be represented by, then convert it
to binary by typing each number into a denary to
binary calculator ( lots of these online).
You will be placed in pairs and you are tasked
with cracking the secret messages
Disguised
message
Ifmmp
Morning
yourname
Clue
Answer
Common way
to greet
someone
Use Str_Rot(5)
Str_Rot(13)
Why do you think Str_Rot13 is a popular way of
disguising and undiscuising words?
Remember data might look complete nonsense
to us e.g. 01011011010110 could be used to
store your favourite colour in Photoshop, or your
lottery numbers etc. The hardware and
particularly the software, has been programmed
to make sense of these numbers.