Encryption is a type of technology. Encryption can protect data sent, received or stored using the device of your choice. Encryption technology can protect everything from text messages on the phone to banking information.
There is no limit to the interest and fascination among many people about encryption. Let's learn about encryption in detail. In this post you will know:
- encryption key
- How encryption works
- Why is encryption important?
- Disadvantages of encryption
What is encryption?
Encryption is the process of changing a file into a format that can only be accessed with a secret code or decryption key. It provides security to sensitive information.
Users' personal information is stored online on various websites and servers. And these data are not saved directly in plain text language but are saved in a pattern, which can only be seen by using the decryption key. That is, encryption is the element of security of various information online or offline. Encryption turns data into scattered data that cannot be deciphered. But using a specific "decryption key" it is possible to recover the encrypted data. The opposite of encryption is “decryption”.
How does encryption work?
Encryption is the process of converting plain text, such as email or text messages, into an unreadable format, called "cipher text." Encryption is used to protect the privacy of digital data stored on a computer or sent or stored over the Internet.
When a message sent using encryption reaches the intended recipient, it becomes plain. To unlock this message, both sender and receiver have a secret encryption key, which works automatically.
Type of encryption
Different types of encryption have been developed with different needs and security in mind. Let's take a look at some popular encryption examples.
Data encryption standard
Data Encryption Standard or DES is a basic-level encryption standard. IBM designed it in the 1970s. Due to technological advancements and the decrease in the price of hardware, it has become quite vulnerable to providing sensitive data. It is 56 bit encryption technology.
Triple DES
Triple DES basically uses three 56-bit keys which provide 3 times more security than original DES. But at present it is also not used much.
RSA
Named after the initials of three computer scientists (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), RSA is an encryption method that uses strong and popular encryption. It is widely used for secure data exchange.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
Advanced Encryption Standard or AES is an encryption method used by the United States government, which was first published in 1998. It is widely used worldwide.
toufish
Twofish is one of the fastest encryption algorithms and in many cases it is slightly faster than others. Since it is free, anyone can use the software and hardware for free.
SSL
Most websites provide protection by encrypting data with “Secure Sockets Layer” or SSL. This protects the website from leaking data in transit.
After entering a website, if there is a padlock icon in the URL bar and there is an s in https://, it means that the website is using encryption technology. That is, the information coming to you from this site and the information going from you to this site cannot be seen by anyone else in transit. Internet service providers will not get that information either.
Why is encryption important?
Encryption is a very important topic in the Internet world. Let's talk about the importance of encryption.
Internet Privacy
Through encryption, personal information is not visible to anyone other than the intended person/device. Which results in the highest level of security using encryption technology.
But you have to confirm this yourself. Ensuring that emails are sent using an encrypted connection is the first requirement of online privacy.
Almost every email client has different settings for encryption in their settings. If you check your mail from a web browser, it is your responsibility to ensure that the website has SSL encryption after your visit.
Hacking a business
Cybercrime has now become a global business driven by multiple international organizations. Large-scale data leaks are often caused by these encryption technologies becoming ineffective.
Enforcement of laws
It is the duty of the citizens of the state to comply with the rules and standards of the law using encryption. It is also used to protect customer data.
Disadvantages of encryption
Although encryption is designed to protect our data, it can be used against us if desired.
Cybercriminals lock devices with encryption and demand money – but the phenomenon of ransomware is not new. This ransomware is capable of harming not only individuals but also organizations. Ransomware attacks are also often launched on specific computers.
Attackers try to encrypt various types of devices including computers, servers by inserting ransomware into the system. Sometimes ransomware asks for money before providing the encryption key for encrypted data.
So, we have learned about how encryption works. We also learned about different types of encryption. What is your opinion about encryption? Let us know in the comment section.
