Vigenère cipher
Shifting alphabet code
A Vigenère cipher is an encryption method that uses a keyword to shift each letter of a message by varying amounts, making it harder to crack than simple substitution ciphers.
Named after sixteenth-century French diplomat Blaise de Vigenère, though he didn't invent it.
Once considered unbreakable, it remained standard for centuries until frequency analysis techniques defeated it.
- keyLock-opening device
- keywordIndexed lookup term
- tableauStriking pictorial arrangement
- encryptionConverting data into code
- codeSymbolic communication system
secret message · Enigma machine · periodic · classical · codebreaking · cryptography · secret · letter · shift · wartime · unbreakable · Blaise · intercepted · Renaissance · secure communication · military · rows · espionage
Vigenère cipherplaintext
Unencoded readable information
cleartext · open communication · decryption · decipherment · cryptanalysis