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Encryption is a process of encoding information in such a way that only authorized parties can access it. It uses mathematical algorithms (ciphers) to transform plaintext into ciphertext, which appears as a random sequence of characters. The authorized parties possess the decryption key to revert the ciphertext back to plaintext, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
There are two main types of encryption: symmetric key encryption and asymmetric key encryption. Symmetric key encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. The key must be securely shared between communicating parties beforehand. Popular symmetric encryption algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and DES (Data Encryption Standard).
Asymmetric key encryption, also known as public-key encryption, uses a pair of keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The public key can be freely distributed, while the private key must be kept confidential. RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) are common asymmetric encryption algorithms.
Encryption ensures data confidentiality, protects against unauthorized access and tampering, and is fundamental to securing communications, transactions, and sensitive information in digital environments.