What is Encryption? Definition, Types, Uses and More

Encryption, as defined in Wikipedia, is a key technological application used to transmit confidential or sensitive data using digital means. Encryption uses the operation of a key or code to transform a message into an unreadable form. Messages that are transmitted through the Internet have the potential to become unreadable without the usage of encryption. Encryption is one of the three forms of secrecy commonly used in communication systems. The other two types of secret communications include Digital (PCI) and Analog (PCI/Packet) encryption.

Symmetric encryption:

In symmetric encryption, the sender generates a public key and an asymmetric key, both of which are used in the transmission of data. The sender uses his public key to encrypt his message with the recipient’s private key. When you send data or information over the Internet to another individual, it passes through a series of underlying network devices located around the world, which form part of the worldwide public Internet network. Through this network, any user with knowledge of the key that was originally generated could make the necessary decryption to read the transmitted message.

RSA algorithm:

This is another highly commonly used encryption algorithm that is used in the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and VPN (Virtual Private Network). The main advantage of using the RSA algorithm is that it ensures the integrity of the transmitted messages and data, even between two different endpoints. The main difficulty associated with the usage of the algorithm is its high level of strength required for various purposes such as authenticating emails, making sure that the copied data is not lost and creating strong passwords. Currently, a standardization process known as the Shorabag algorithm has been developed as well that provides a significantly higher level of strength than the RSA algorithm.

Also Read: What is a Website? – Definition, Classification, Types and More

Symmetrical Blowfish (SBF) and Asymmetric Cryptographic Primitives (ACP):

These are the two most commonly used asymmetric encryption algorithms that are also known as the SBF and ACP. SBF is a known password encryption method that works on a session secret key (DSK) and is typically used on websites that do not require clients to share their login information. For instance, an email account used for business purposes would require users to create a secret DSS and then use it with a random password chosen by the user. Using this method, an SBF algorithm makes it possible to encrypt data into the same format as an HTTP header.

Digest-MDH and MD Digest:

These are two different types of message Authentication. These methods work on a DH Sharepoint secret key (DSK), which is a shared secret key between different types of servers. With this method, when two different people create a message and send it to each other, it will be received and decoded without the knowledge of both parties. When both messages match with the same DH parameters, both people will receive the message successfully.

RNG (rand) Generator:

This is a device that randomly creates numbers using an algorithm. Some examples of these devices include a “ciphering” device, which can generate keys, and an operating system that run on a generator. Symmetric encryption uses public keys and private keys, where the public key is known only to authorized people and is kept hidden on the server. The private key is only known to the owner of the key and cannot be publicly derived.

Also Read: What is Technology? – Definition, Types and More