While the term ‘encryption’ is critical and often used, how many of us understand what it is? Continue reading to learn more about encryption and why it is critical to our collective security.
Encryption – What is it?
Encryption is a technique for safeguarding and securing digital information while it is sent across public networks like the internet. Indeed, it is the only technology capable of ensuring the internet’s security. Encryption is the process of scrambling data, such as a message, so that it is unintelligible to outsiders. While some networks provide encryption as a basic feature, the majority do not. Fortunately, using a VPN today makes it easy to secure your internet connection.
How does encryption work?
Encryption scrambles data using an algorithm, rendering it unreadable to outsiders. Encryption ensures the security and privacy of your data. However, the data may be accessed by those who possess a unique key, which is why encryption is employed to ensure the security of communications. The key is a number, and the encryption method can use this number to decrypt the material, allowing it to be read and understood.
End-to-end encryption: What is it?
End-to-end encryption ensures that transmitted data is only readable and understandable by the person who sent it and the individual who receives it. This is because only these two individuals possess the proper keys necessary to decrypt the data. End-to-end encryption prohibits intermediaries from seeing the data.
What is the purpose of encryption?
Businesses employ end-to-end encryption to safeguard their customers’ personal information. Individuals may also employ encryption, for example, while sending emails or text messages to others through their smartphones. While browsing the internet at home, you are likely to use encryption without realizing it. For instance, when a browser’s URL begins with “HTTPS,” it indicates that an encrypted connection exists between the browser and the website being viewed.
Why is encryption important?
Encryption safeguards our digital data as it travels across networks. Additionally, encryption safeguards our data while it is kept, such as on our phones and laptops. Encryption is thus critical for maintaining the security and safety of our private data and prevents others from seeing information that we want to keep secret. For example, immediately encrypt your internet connection via the use of a VPN.