Non-Interactive Zero-Knowledge (NIZK) is a cryptographic method that allows one person to prove to another that they know a secret, without revealing the secret itself and without any back-and-forth communication. Unlike traditional zero-knowledge proofs that require multiple steps between the prover and verifier, NIZK proofs are completed in a single message. This makes them efficient…
Category: Privacy-Preserving Technologies
Commitment Schemes
Commitment schemes are cryptographic methods that allow one person to commit to a chosen value while keeping it hidden, with the option to reveal the value later. These schemes ensure that the value cannot be changed after the commitment is made, providing both secrecy and integrity. They are often used in digital protocols to prevent…
Post-Quantum Encryption
Post-quantum encryption refers to cryptographic methods designed to remain secure even if powerful quantum computers become available. Quantum computers could potentially break many of the encryption systems currently in use, making traditional cryptography vulnerable. Post-quantum encryption aims to protect sensitive data from being deciphered by future quantum attacks, ensuring long-term security for digital communications and…
Lattice-Based Cryptography
Lattice-based cryptography is a type of encryption that builds security on the mathematical structure of lattices, which are grid-like arrangements of points in space. This approach is considered strong against attacks from both classical and quantum computers, making it a leading candidate for future-proof security. Lattice-based methods can be used for creating secure digital signatures,…
Peer-to-Peer Data Storage
Peer-to-peer data storage is a way of saving and sharing files directly between users computers instead of relying on a central server. Each participant acts as both a client and a server, sending and receiving data from others in the network. This method can improve reliability, reduce costs, and make data harder to censor or…
Anonymous Credential Systems
Anonymous credential systems are digital tools that let users prove they have certain rights or attributes, such as being over 18 or being a student, without revealing their full identity. These systems use cryptographic techniques to let users show only the necessary information, protecting their privacy. They are often used to help keep personal data…
Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing
Privacy-preserving data sharing is a way of allowing people or organisations to share information without exposing sensitive or personal details. Techniques such as data anonymisation, encryption, and differential privacy help ensure that shared data cannot be traced back to individuals or reveal confidential information. This approach helps balance the need for collaboration and data analysis…
Confidential Smart Contracts
Confidential smart contracts are digital agreements that run on a blockchain but keep certain information private from the public. They use cryptographic techniques so that data like transaction amounts or user identities are hidden, even though the contract code runs transparently. This allows people and businesses to use smart contracts for sensitive matters without exposing…
Oblivious RAM
Oblivious RAM is a technology that hides the pattern of data access in computer memory, so that anyone observing cannot tell which data is being read or written. This prevents attackers from learning sensitive information based on how and when data is accessed, even if they can see all memory requests. It is particularly useful…
Private Set Intersection
Private Set Intersection is a cryptographic technique that allows two or more parties to find common elements in their data sets without revealing any other information. Each party keeps their data private and only learns which items are shared. This method is useful when data privacy is important but collaboration is needed to identify overlaps.