History of computing

• Computing
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Crack the code

The History of Computing – Alan Turing and Encryption

Learning objective:

Conquer: Understand the importance of encryption

Aspire: Create your own encrypted messages.  

Alan turing 

Alan Turing was a key figure in the development of computers as we know them today.

He was a hero during WW2 and is credited with potentially saving over 14 million lives. 

Alan turing key facts

Born: 1912

Invention: Turing machine (First computer)

Role in the war: Breaking German codes.

Specialism: Encryption

When was Alan Turing born>

1. 1945
2. 1912
3. 1911
4. 1938

Which countries code did Alan Turing break?

1. Germany
2. England's
3. Japan
4. France

On which bank note can Alan Turing be found?

1. £20
2. £10
3. £5
4. £50

What was the name given to the first computer?

1. The Alan computer
2. The Turing Machine
3. The Turing Tablet
4. The Alan App

TRUE

FALSE

Alan Turing achieved a first class honours degree in maths

Alan Turing was born in 1912

The code cracking took place at Bletchley Park

Turing died by Cyanide poisoning

Alan Turing went to Oxford University

When Turing was convicted of gross indecency he was sent to prison

The work at Bletchley saved 5 million lives

The police came to the decision that Turing was homosexual when investigating a house fire.

The machine that was developed to crack the German code was called Enigma

Keyword: Encryption

Encryption is the changing of data so that it can no longer be easily understood

 

Can you give examples of information we would encrypt?

Why do we encrypt data?

• Banking details
  
• Passwords
  
• Text messages – or any app messages like whatsapp
  
• Browsing habits
  
• Emails
  
• Records about yourself – medical/student
  

Encryption Key words

Plaintext: the original message to be encrypted

Ciphertext: the encrypted message

What is encryption?

1. A way to Save files
2. A type of computer virus
3. A way of hiding information
4. A type of computer

What is plaintext?

1. Unencrypted, readable text
2. Text that has been encrypted
3. A special type of font
4. A coding language

What is ciphertext?

1. Readable text
2. A scrambled version of plaintext
3. A programming language
4. A type of hacking tool

Who came up with encryption? 

The first encryption was created by the roman general Julius Caesar.

1. He would give orders to his men 
2. These messages could be intercepted 
3. He decided to encrypt them so the enemy would never know his plans. 

 

Have a go at cracking the codes

Crack the code