Python Cryptography: Analyze & Break Ciphers

Coursera MOOC / Non-credit USD 49
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Python Cryptography: Analyze & Break Ciphers

About this course

Learners will analyze classical ciphers, apply Python programming to cryptographic challenges, and evaluate cipher vulnerabilities through hands-on hacking exercises. By the end of the course, they will be able to design cryptographic utilities, demonstrate brute-force and frequency analysis techniques, and solve real cipher challenges using modular arithmetic and Python logic. This intermediate-level course builds directly on Python Hacking fundamentals, guiding learners from coding essentials to practical cipher cracking. Students begin by strengthening programming foundations—creating utilities, handling strings, and managing files—before applying mathematical concepts like the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) and modular inverses to break multiplicative and affine ciphers. Finally, learners will tackle substitution cipher secrets, leveraging digraphs, trigraphs, and word-pattern analysis. What makes this course unique is its blend of theory and hands-on practice. Instead of abstract explanations, every concept is implemented in Python step by step, ensuring learners gain both practical coding skills and cryptographic insight. With quizzes, graded exercises, and structured modules, this course transforms abstract cryptography into applied problem-solving—ideal for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and Python enthusiasts looking to level up their skills.

What you'll learn

  • analyze classical ciphers
  • apply Python programming to cryptographic challenges
  • design cryptographic utilities
  • demonstrate brute-force techniques
  • solve real cipher challenges using modular arithmetic and Python logic

Course objectives

  • strengthen programming foundations
  • apply mathematical concepts to cryptography
  • tackle substitution and multiplicative ciphers

Skills you'll gain

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