Meaning of encryption (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Encryption:

Encryption is a security procedure that consists of altering, through algorithms, the data that makes up a file. The goal is to make such data unreadable in the event that a third party intercepts it.

Encryption is a widely used resource today to ensure the secure transfer of data and documents. Although it cannot be guaranteed that sensitive information will not be stolen, it can prevent it from being used to the detriment of its legitimate owners.

Online banking and merchants use data encryption to prevent inappropriate handling of customer information (credit card numbers, transaction information, personal data, etc.).

Similarly, many messaging systems use this tool to provide safer communications and prevent conversations from being intercepted.

Although the terminology associated with encryption processes is more common with the rise of technology and the need to protect data handled by the Internet, the reality is that techniques have been used for millennia to protect valuable information.

It is known that in Antiquity, the Egyptians used encrypted messages, whose data was replaced, altered or exchanged, for military purposes.

During World War II, the German army used an encryption machine called Enigma, which allowed it to send and receive sensitive information undetected.

However, the British Alan Turing and his team managed to decipher the encrypted messages, and thus found the way for the Allies to achieve victory and end the war.

Encryption types

Encryption methods are classified according to their keys and their algorithms.

Encryption according to your passwords

Symmetric encryption

Symmetric encryption is one where the same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt data. Some of the most popular symmetric encryption systems are AES ( Advanced Encryption Standard ), DES ( Data Encryption Standard ) and Triple DES.

The Enigma encryption machine was based on a symmetric encryption system.

Asymmetric encryption

It consists of a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt. The best-known methods are ElGamal (named after its creator, Taher ElGamal) and RSA ( Rivest, Shamin, and Adleman ).

This method is used for encrypting messages via email.

Encryption according to its algorithms

Stream encryption

Very long keys are used to encrypt, which can be predetermined or created randomly using a key generator. In many cases, the message to encrypt itself is part of the key, and this must be kept secret.

With this type of encryption, you can protect phone conversations and audio and video applications that operate in real time.

Block encryption

The message or the data to be encrypted are decomposed into blocks of the same length to encrypt each one of them. This system, in turn, can be symmetric or asymmetric.

The DES and Triple DES encryption systems use block encryption.