What Is Encryption? | Definition + How It Works | Norton

Encryption is an important privacy tool when you are sendingsensitive, confidential, or personal information across the Internet.

Encryption scrambles plain text into a type of secret code thathackers, cybercriminals, and other online snoops can't read, even if theyintercept it before it reaches its intended recipients. When the message doesget to its recipients, they have their own key to unscramble the informationback into plain, readable text.

Encryption, then, can help protect the data you send, receive andstore using a device. That can include text messages stored on your smartphone, running logs saved on your fitness watch, and banking information sent throughyour online account.

Encryption is a process that scrambles readable text so it canonly be read by the person who has the secret code, or decryption key. It helpsprovide data security for sensitive information.

Vast amounts of personal information are managed online and storedin thecloud or on servers with an ongoing connection to the web. Its nearlyimpossible to do business of any kind without your personal data ending up inan organizations networked computer system, which is why its important to knowhow to help keep that data private.

Encryption plays an essential role in this task.

Encryption takes plain text, like a text message or email, andscrambles it into an unreadable format called cipher text. This helpsprotect the confidentiality of digital data either stored on computer systemsor transmitted through a network like the Internet.

When the intended recipient accesses the message, the informationis translated back to its original form. This is called decryption.

To unlock the message, both the sender and the recipient have touse a secret encryption key a collection of algorithms that scramble andunscramble data back to a readable format.

An encryption key is a series of numbers used to encrypt anddecrypt data. Encryption keys are created with algorithms. Each key is randomand unique.

There are two main types of encryption systems: symmetricencryption and asymmetric encryption. Heres how theyre different.

An encryption algorithm is the set of rules, usually governing acomputer or other tech device such as a smart phone, that turns readable datainto scrambled cipher text.

The data scrambled by these algorithms look like randomized code.But the algorithms configure this scrambled data in a purposeful way so that itcan easily be turned back into a readable format by a decryption key.

There are several types of encryption, some stronger than others.Here are the most common examples of encryption.

Data Encryption Standard is considered a low-level encryptionstandard. The U.S. government established the standard in 1977. Because ofadvances in technology and decreases in the cost of hardware, DES isessentially obsolete for protecting sensitive data.

Triple DES runs DES encryption three times. It encrypts, decryptsand encrypts data thus, triple. It strengthens the original DES standard,which is now viewed by security experts as being too weak for sensitive data.

RSA takes its name from the familial initials of three computerscientists. It uses a strong and popular algorithm for encryption. RSA ispopular because of its key length and, therefore, widely used for secure datatransmission.

Advanced Encryption Standard is the U.S. government standard as of2002. AES is used worldwide.

TwoFish is considered one of the fastest encryption algorithms andis free for anyone to use. Its used in hardware and software.

Most legitimate websites use the encryption protection calledsecure sockets layer (SSL), which is a form of encrypting data that is sentto and from a website. This keeps attackers from accessing that data while itis in transit.

Want to make sure a site is using this technology? Look for thepadlock icon in the URL bar, and the s in the https://. If you see thesesigns, you'll know that you are conducting secure, encrypted transactionsonline.

Its a good idea to access sites using SSL when:

Why is encryption important? Here are three reasons:

Encryption helps protect your online privacy by turning personalinformation into for your eyes only messages intended only for the partiesthat need them and no one else.

You should make sure that your emails are being sent over anencrypted connection, or that you are encrypting each message.

Most email clients come with the option for encryption in theirSettings menu. If you check your email with a web browser, take a moment toensure that SSL encryption is available.

Cybercrime is a global business, often run by multinationaloutfits.

Many of the large-scale data breaches that you may have heardabout in the news demonstrate that cybercriminals are often out to stealpersonal information for financial gain.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)requires healthcare providers to implement security features that help protectpatients sensitive health information online.

Institutions of higher learning must take similar steps under theFamily Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to protect student records.

Retailers must contend with the Fair Credit Practices Act (FCPA)and similar laws that help protect consumers.

Encryption helps businesses stay compliant with regulatoryrequirements and standards. It also helps protect the valuable data of theircustomers.

Encryption is designed to protect your data, but encryption canalso be used against you.

Targeted ransomware is a cybercrime that can impact organizations of all sizes,including government offices. Ransomware can also target individual computerusers.

How do ransomware attacks occur? Attackers deploy ransomware toencrypt the various devices, including computers and servers, of victims. Theattackers often demand a ransom before they will provide a key to decrypt theencrypted data. The goal is to persuade victims to pay out as a way to recoveraccess to their important files, data, video and images.

Ransomware attacks against government agencies can shut downservices, making it hard to get a permit, obtain a marriage license, or pay atax bill, for instance.

Ransomware attacks aimed at large organizations and governmentagencies tend to generate the biggest headlines. But ransomware attacks canalso happen to you.

Here are some tips to help protect your devices against ransomwareattacks and the risk of having your data encrypted andinaccessible.

Encryption is essential to help protect your sensitive personalinformation. But in the case of ransomware attacks, it can be used against you.Its smart to take steps to help you gain the benefits and avoid the harm.

Its important to encrypt the messages,files and data that you send whenever they are personal, sensitive orclassified. You dont want hackers intercepting your emails to your doctor ifyou are sending information about an illness. You dont want criminals toccess your financial information after you log into your online bank account.And you dont want scammers to snag that confidential report you are reviewingfor your employer. Its important to encrypt all this data to keep it secret.

There are several encryption methods that are consideredeffective. Advanced Encryption Standard, better known as AES, though, is apopular choice among those who want to protect their data and messages. Thisform of encryption has been the U.S. government standard as of 2002. AES isused worldwide.

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What Is Encryption? | Definition + How It Works | Norton