Encryption Notes

Encryption

Definition

• Encryption involves transforming data into a meaningless format.
• Strong encryption renders the data incomprehensible without the correct key and algorithm.
• Data in plain text is converted to ciphertext using an algorithm key.

Ciphertext

• Ciphertext is the encrypted form of data.

Types of Encryption

Symmetric Encryption

• Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption.
• Process:
  • Plain text is encrypted into ciphertext using an encryption key.
  • The ciphertext and the encryption key are transmitted separately to the receiving device.
  • The receiving device uses the same key to decrypt the ciphertext back into plain text.

Asymmetric Encryption

• Asymmetric encryption employs two distinct keys: a public key and a private key.
• Process:
  • Plain text is encrypted into ciphertext using a public key.
  • The ciphertext is transmitted to the receiving device.
  • The ciphertext can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key, not the public key used for encryption.