Encryption
Cryptography 🔒 • Security+ 🏆
•
Difficulty: free
Definition
Encryption converts readable data (plaintext) into unreadable data (ciphertext) so only someone with the correct key can recover the original content.
Examples
- A website uses TLS so login details are encrypted in transit and cannot be read over public Wi-Fi.
- A laptop with full-disk encryption keeps files protected if the device is lost or stolen.
Discover 🔎
Encryption protects confidentiality and, when used with the right modes, also protects integrity. It is used in two main places: data in transit (across networks) and data at rest (on disks, databases, backups). The core idea is simple: without the correct key, intercepted data is useless.
Tip: The interactive version includes progress tracking, decks, and premium deep dives.