Encryption is the process of converting data into secure ciphertext that can only be read by the intended recipient. There are many types of encryption, including email encryption, hard drive encryption, and HTTPS protocol pages. Encryption can be distinguished by material, means, methodology, and software or hardware-based encryption. Different encryption methods include symmetric and asymmetric encryption, different algorithms, key lengths, and block or stream ciphers. Some encryption types are considered obsolete, while others, such as Triple DES and WAP2, are newer and stronger.
Encryption is the process of converting data from its normal, readable state, called the plaintext, into safe and secure data called ciphertext so that it can only be read by the intended recipient or recipients, who are able to decrypt it using a secret key. Encryption dates back to ancient warfare, when it was important to send messages that your enemies couldn’t access. There are many types of encryption which can be classified in different ways: the material of the encryption, the means of encryption, the encryption methodology used including the particular algorithm used, and/or earlier or more recently invented/used encryption systems.
There are several types of encryption that always work on a particular type of material, and other types of encryption that you control and apply as needed. Email encryption applies to all email leaving a system. Hard drive encryption, also known as full disk encryption or FDE, whole disk encryption, hard drive encryption, or disk encryption, encrypts all files of all kinds located on a computer’s hard drive. HTTPS protocol pages encrypt all transactions made through them, allowing credit card payments over the Internet. Conversely, a user may choose to protect a particular pdf, for example, and, depending on the software program used, require a password to open and/or to modify it or prevent any modification or restrict or prohibit printing.
Encryption types can also be distinguished from software-generated encryption or hardware-based encryption. For example, hard drive encryption was mostly done by software. However, the group of hard drive manufacturers that make up the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) agreed on an encryption standard for hard drives in 2009, which they called the TCG Storage Specification. When fully activated, your hard drives will be encrypted automatically, rather than needing a separate, additional software program to do this.
Another way to distinguish types of encryption is how they work. Encryption methodology can be symmetric, meaning they have a single key that is used for both encryption and decryption and that must be sent along with a message to ensure it can be decrypted by the recipient. On the other hand, it can be asymmetric, in which case the sender uses the recipient’s public key to encrypt the plaintext, and the recipient’s computer uses the recipient’s private key to decrypt it. The use of different algorithms, different key lengths, and block ciphers or stream ciphers are other distinguishing factors. You could also distinguish types of encryption considered obsolete, such as DES (Data Encryption Standard) and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), from newer and better encryption, such as Triple DES and WAP2 (WiFi Protected Access, version 2), which uses AES ( strong encryption standard).
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