Data encryption and data decryption is the process of converting data from a normally decipherable format (or 'plaintext') into a completely, undecipherable format (or 'ciphertext') and back by scrambling the data through the use of some sort of algorithm (or 'cipher'). This encryption and decryption process is managed by relationship of the encryption cipher and a corresponding encryption and decryption key.
Data encryption is typically used to protect and control access to confidential or sensitve data from people who may not be allowed to or should not have access to the data. For computers, this includes static electronic data (documents, photos, email, etc.) and streamed data (data sent from computer to computer within a local network or across the Internet).
This site will cover basic data encryption concepts, types of data encryption, and real-world practical uses of data encryption including securing data files, data traffic over the Internet, and wireless networking.
