2.3 encryption

what is the need and purpose for encryption

encryption is needed for protecting data during transmission, its purpose is to convert readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) so that only authorised users with the correct encryption key can access the information. Preventing unauthorised access, even if the data is intercepted.

what are the two types of encryption

symmetric encryption

asymmetric encryption

what is symmetric encryption and how does it work.

when the sender and receiver share the same private key. (This key is used to encrypt and decrypt the data sent between sender and receiver). The sender and receiver must exchange keys to ensure that they have a copy of their shared key. It is sent along a network which is vulnerable to be stolen.

what is asymmetric data and how does it work

each device has a public key and a private key, if you encrypt the data using a public key, the exact private key is required to decrypt it. If you encrypt the data using a private key, the exact public key is needed to decrypt it, the private key and the public key are mathematically linked.

how does asymmetric data work and why is it safer than symmetric data.

sender uses the recipients public key to encrypt the data

it gets sent to the receiver that has the mathematically linked private key to decrypt it.

This is safer becuase the hacker wouldn’t have the chance to intercept the private key since there is no need to.