Computer Science for Kids

7. The Whisper Network

Standard: 2‐NI‐06: Use encryption to secure data for transmission

You settle down to watch the newly gated moss device that you created in Chapter 6, “Securing the Moss,” to see if any visitors are able to enter the correct password to gain entrance. You're happy to notice that a line has formed, made up of small black ants, who seem to need to get to the moss. They seem to know the password and gain entrance quickly. What are they up to? And how did they manage to get the password so quickly, given that you just implemented the system?

Being aware of security, break‐ins, and hacks, you comment to the Guide, “These ants are up to something suspicious!” “I don't think so,” the Guide says with a smile. “Listen!”

You listen attentively and notice a low undercurrent of what can only be described as whispered words and numbers. What on Earth could that be? Bending down, you observe two ants chatting to each other in tiny voices. “What are they saying?” you ask, puzzled. “It's not a language I've ever heard!”

“It's encrypted,” replies the Guide. “These ants have developed a sophisticated way to transmit information among the members of their community. No other creature understands what they say, but they seem to be able to tell each other important things such as the gate's password and, most important, the locations of the different patches of this type of moss throughout the forest. They may be an ancient race of creatures, but they use modern encryption ...