18 Oct What is Encryption in Computer Software?
Every modern computer has tools for encryption of data, making it unreadable by unauthorized parties without a valid key. But what exactly is encryption, and how does it work? This article explains how encryption protects sensitive information from hackers.
In simple terms, data encryption converts textual information into ciphertext that can only be deciphered by authorized users who have the appropriate password. It is a crucial element of cyber-security that ensures the security of data as well as keeping confidential information from being accessed by unauthorized users.
A typical form employs mathematical models that are cryptographic to convert the original information into a chaotic collection of characters (also known as ciphertext). The encryption algorithm « scrambles » individual bits of data randomly, so that it would take an immense amount of computing power to figure out the key, and then convert it to plaintext.
If you’re using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) which is the most widely used encryption method for your digital files and files, then all the zeros and ones within the file are scrambled 10 times in a semi-random pattern. Without the right key to understand it, the computer would need to run for an extremely long time to try and sort them in the right order.
The encryption process can also be used to prevent data leaks and ransomware. If hackers steal encrypted data, they can’t read it and are in a position to not blackmail the business or anyone else involved in the threat of releasing the stolen information to the dark web. The encryption also protects backup systems from hackers since they can’t access the data in its original format.
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