Security · Website glossary

Encryption

Quick answer · What is Encryption?

A transformation that makes readable data unintelligible without the appropriate cryptographic key.

IN PRACTICE

Encryption: an example

A TLS connection encrypts page requests and responses while they travel between its endpoints.

KEEP IN MIND

Encryption and access control solve different problems; an authorized account can still expose decrypted data.

Put the idea to work

Frequently asked questions

What is a practical example of Encryption?

A TLS connection encrypts page requests and responses while they travel between its endpoints.

Does encryption replace access control?

Encryption and access control solve different problems; an authorized account can still expose decrypted data.

Which concepts should I read alongside Encryption?

Hashing: The calculation of a fixed-size digest from input data using a hash function.
TLS: Transport Layer Security is a protocol that provides encryption, integrity protection, and authentication for network connections.