What is data encryption?

ENCRYPTION is the process of modifying or changing (SCRAMBLING) the actual data into another form, so that another person can understand it only by unscrambling it with the correct DECRYPTION KEY.

For example, a "secure" HTML link (such as for online banking) uses encryption to prevent a wiretapper from knowing what your data and passwords actually look like. The secure (secret) distribution of the necessary keys is a critical component of any encryption system.

Encryption can be used for secrecy (transmission or storage), authentication (only someone with the secret key), disposal (encrypt then delete the only key), digital rights management (combination of above), and key distribution, among other things.

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