Can Computer Systems Keep Secrets?

3 credits · Undergraduate

When we use our phones to send a message or visit a website, we often don't think of the computer systems in place that protect our data. But attackers are constantly trying to break into computer systems. What are some of the most common ways that attackers steal data? How can cryptography protect sensitive data? And what security challenges does AI introduce? In this class, we'll explore how attackers compromise computer systems and how systems defend against attacks. The class will cover the core ideas behind secure systems that we use every day, ranging from secure network connections to end-to-end encrypted messaging to authentication. We will also discuss new ideas at the forefront of computer security.