"Data Encryption - Part 1"

The translation of data into a secret code. Encryption is the most effective way to achieve data security. To read an encrypted file, you must have access to a secret key or password that enables you to decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called plain text ; encrypted data is referred to as cipher text. There are two main types of encryption: asymmetric encryption (also called public-key encryption) and symmetric encryption. What is Encryption? It refers to algorithmic schemes that encode plain text into non-readable form or cyphertext, providing privacy. The receiver of the encrypted text uses a “key” to decrypt the message, returning it to its original plain text form. The key is the trigger mechanism to the algorithm. Until the advent of the Internet, encryption was rarely used by the public, but was largely a military tool. Today, with online marketing, banking, healthcare and other services, even the average householder is aware of encryption. Web browsers will encrypt text automatically when connected to a secure server, evidenced by an address beginning with https. The server decrypts the text upon its arrival, but as the information travels between computers, interception of the transmission will not be fruitful to anyone “listening in.” They would only see unreadable gibberish. There are many types of encryption and not all of it is reliable. The same computer power that yeilds strong encryption can be used to break weak encryption schemes. Initially, 64-bit encryption was thought to be quite strong, but today 128-bit encryption is the standard, and this will undoubtedly change again in the future. Though browsers automatically encrypt information when connected to a secure website, many people choose to use encryption in their email correspondence as well. This can easily be accomplished with encryption programs that feature plug-ins or interfaces for popular email clients. Encryption can also be applied to an entire volume or drive. To use the drive, it is “mounted” using a special decryption key. In this state the drive can be used and read normally. When finished, the drive is dismounted and returns to an encrypted state, unreadable by interlopers, Trojan horses, spyware or snoops. Some people choose to keep financial programs or other sensitive data on encrypted drives. In order to easily recover the contents of an encrypted signal, the correct decryption key is required. The key is an algorithm that "undoes" the work of the encryption algorithm. Alternatively, a computer can be used in an attempt to "break" the cipher. The more complex the encryption algorithm, the more difficult it becomes to eavesdrop on the communications without access to the key. Click here to read PART 2. >>    Recommended Links:    PC Tracker Web-based Theft recovery System  |  Well-known privacy software on the market  How To Get Started?    Quick Actions:   FREE SEO eBook  Download »»   SEO Software  - Buy Now! >>>>>>>>> Avoiding the trap of over-optimization »» Read more...             SEO Marketing Services   Free Domain   Web Hosting   SEO Plans   Search-Engine-Optimization