What does encryption mean?

Definitions for encryption
en·c·ryp·tion

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word encryption.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. encoding, encryptionnoun

    the activity of converting data or information into code

Wiktionary

  1. encryptionnoun

    The process of obscuring information to make it unreadable without special knowledge, key files, and/or passwords.

Wikipedia

  1. Encryption

    In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding information. This process converts the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext. Ideally, only authorized parties can decipher a ciphertext back to plaintext and access the original information. Encryption does not itself prevent interference but denies the intelligible content to a would-be interceptor. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. It is possible to decrypt the message without possessing the key but, for a well-designed encryption scheme, considerable computational resources and skills are required. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients but not to unauthorized users. Historically, various forms of encryption have been used to aid in cryptography. Early encryption techniques were often used in military messaging. Since then, new techniques have emerged and become commonplace in all areas of modern computing. Modern encryption schemes use the concepts of public-key and symmetric-key. Modern encryption techniques ensure security because modern computers are inefficient at cracking the encryption.

ChatGPT

  1. encryption

    Encryption is the process of converting data or information into a code to prevent unauthorized access. It is commonly used in cybersecurity to protect sensitive data during transmission over networks. This coded data can only be accessed and decoded using a key, ensuring that only the intended recipients can access the original information.

Wikidata

  1. Encryption

    In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding messages in such a way that eavesdroppers or hackers cannot read it, but that authorized parties can. In an encryption scheme, the message or information is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, turning it into an unreadable ciphertext. This is usually done with the use of an encryption key, which specifies how the message is to be encoded. Any adversary that can see the ciphertext should not be able to determine anything about the original message. An authorized party, however, is able to decode the ciphertext using a decryption algorithm, that usually requires a secret decryption key, that adversaries do not have access to. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually needs a key-generation algorithm to randomly produce keys. There are two basic types of encryption schemes: Symmetric-key and public-key encryption. In symmetric-key schemes, the encryption and decryption keys are the same. Thus communicating parties must agree on a secret key before they wish to communicate. In public-key schemes, the encryption key is published for anyone to use and encrypt messages. However, only the receiving party has access to the decryption key and is capable of reading the encrypted messages. Public-key encryption is a relatively recent invention: historically, all encryption schemes have been symmetric-key schemes.

Editors Contribution

  1. encryption

    To change language into computer code that is private, safe and secure.

    The computer systems all use encryption in their systems to ensure they are safe and secure.


    Submitted by MaryC on January 19, 2020  

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of encryption in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of encryption in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of encryption in a Sentence

  1. Kevin Mitnick:

    Companies spend millions of dollars on firewalls, encryption and secure access devices, and it’s money wasted, because none of these measures address the weakest link in the security chain.

  2. Dean Garfield:

    Encryption is a security tool we rely on everyday to stop criminals from draining our bank accounts, to shield our cars and airplanes from being taken over by malicious hacks, we deeply appreciate law enforcement's and the national security community's work to protect us, but weakening encryption or creating backdoors to encrypted devices and data for use by the good guys would actually create vulnerabilities to be exploited by the bad guys.

  3. Rianna Pfefferkorn:

    The end of Roe throws into sharp relief the paramount importance of turning on [ end-to-end encryption ] by default instead of making users navigate security and privacy settings for themselves.

  4. James Comey:

    U.S. officials believe it is likely the plotters of the Paris attacks used phones or communications devices that could not be monitored by law enforcement because of encryption. Speaking at the event, the head of the FBI said ISIS had a history of taking precautions to prevent monitoring any planning of lethal attacks. If they find somebody who they think might kill on their behalf… they move them to a mobile messaging app that’s encrypted.

  5. Manish Tewari:

    The encryption policy is a snooping and spying orgy.

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Translations for encryption

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"encryption." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/encryption>.

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