Cleartext is unencrypted text that doesn’t require decryption to be read. Plaintext is data between two parties that is never encrypted. Encryption is used to protect information, and plaintext can be viewed by anyone. It’s important to avoid posting or sending confidential information in cleartext.
Cleartext is a term used to describe text that has not been encrypted and does not require decryption to be read. Sometimes used as an alternate term for plain text, plaintext actually has a distinct definition. While plaintext is data between two parties that is in a language, computer or otherwise, that they both understand, plaintext is defined by the fact that it is never encrypted.
In order to protect and secure the information being transmitted, people use cryptography to mask the message and make it readable only by those who have a decryption key or mechanism. While originally encryption was done by hand, to enter messages and letters into secret codes, today it is largely done using complex computer algorithms to provide high levels of security. Plaintext is data or messages that are unencrypted and were never meant to be encrypted, unlike plaintext, which is the decoded form of ciphertext.
Cleartext can also refer to a document or file that uses a specific word processing program. While these specific programs are a form of encryption, data is generally not saved to that program as a means of securing or protecting it, but rather because of what word processor is conveniently installed. The intention of saving a text document in a word processing program is not to prevent others from seeing or reading it, so it’s still considered plaintext.
Almost any text program, word processor, or web browser can read plaintext. Search results and web pages that appear on a search engine are all examples of this type of document, as they can be read by anyone. If, however, a web page or document requires a person to log in, enter a password, or use a certain program, it’s usually subject to some form of encryption. Most email accounts use encryption to prevent anyone without a username or password from reaching your data and decrypting it for reading. When the correct information is entered, the account automatically decrypts the email information, making it readable.
It’s important to remember that when you use plaintext, anyone can see it. This means that security is non-existent and the document, if posted on the Internet, can be viewed by anyone, anywhere. Even slightly personal or private information should not be posted or sent in this way. Posting or sending confidential information in clear text, such as items that violate confidentiality clauses, may result in legal action.
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