what is encryption?
Secret encryption has been a part of global operations like the military for years. Since ancient times, the world has known the use of private lines of communication hidden from the masses.
However, the hidden language is undoubtedly a thing of the past, having only recently developed.
A similar concept, cryptography, has drawn attention around the world. Defined as the practice of investigating classified communications, preventing malicious third parties from accessing the information.
Cryptography is used in many areas of the real world and uses cryptography to hide information in an encrypted language that attackers (malicious third parties) cannot access anyway. Simply put, encryption prevents unauthorized access to information and keeps data safe and secure.
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Here is a list of crypto resources that will help you better understand the concept.
authentication
Each communication channel includes a receiver and a transmitter. For any communication channel to be safe and secure, it is important that the true identities and locations of the recipient and sender are known.
Perhaps encryption ensures this and prioritizes authentication above all else.
private data
Once authentic information about the recipient and sender is collected and stored, this ensures that the data remains confidential.
With an increasing number of privacy issues related to unauthorized access to data, information has become a harmful asset that can lead to heinous crimes.
Therefore, it is better to use encryption as it maintains the privacy of the data and does not involve any entity other than the receiver and sender of the communication channel.
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change protection
Since the data is kept private and no entity other than the sender and recipient is involved, encryption is also referred to as a way to protect the data from being tampered with.
With all communication channels insecure, any third party can change the relevant data. However, this does not happen in cryptographic communication channels.
Only the sender and the receiver can change the information exchanged.
Transmission of information not rejected
No person involved in a crypto channel can reject or deny the truth. This implies that the data cannot be rejected by either the sender or the recipient.
From now on, participation in the process cannot be denied if the channeling has already started.
clear communication channel
As it has already been mentioned that cryptographic channels do not contain adversaries, the communication channel only occurs between the sender and the receiver of the message.
However, the communication channel is unimpeded and you don't need to go through the third-party verification portal.
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Let us understand how WhatsApp encryption works. Of all the everyday examples of cryptocurrencies, this one is sure to be something we are all familiar with. WhatsApp, a social network, uses end-to-end encryption technology to keep personal information private.
This means that every image, video or text message exchanged on Whatsapp is encrypted. Example Whatsapp end-to-end encryption means that it is encrypted in such a way that no one can access it except the people who received and sent it.
"That's because your messages are protected with end-to-end encryption with lockdown, and only you and the recipient have the special key needed to unlock and read them."
Cryptographic algorithms
Encryption has become an essential part of data security in today's scenario. As more and more hackers began to break into private chats and communication channels, it became a necessity to maintain privacy and block the visibility of third-party items.
Therefore, cryptographic algorithms were developed to combat this problem. Encryption code or encryption algorithms are used as systems to encrypt data from end to end and ensure privacy.
Commonly used for symmetric key cryptography, ciphers are cryptographic algorithms that help encrypt and decrypt end-to-end data. In real world cryptography, a key is the most important element that helps to decrypt encrypted data and perhaps the only way to recover data from a secure communication.
"A cipher uses a system of hard and fast rules, an algorithm, to convert plaintext, a human-readable message, into ciphertext, a seemingly random string of characters."
encryption types
Now that we've learned about encryption and how it works, let's find out about the different types of encryption.
Symmetric key encryption
Symmetric key encryption refers to an encryption technique that uses a key to encrypt and decrypt data. In this case, it is easier to exchange this cryptographic key between the sender and the receiver.
The best known symmetric key encryption system is the Data Encryption System (DES).
asymmetric key encryption
On the other hand, asymmetric key cryptography refers to an encryption technique that uses two different keys to encrypt and decrypt data.
This is comparatively more difficult to use as the data can only be unlocked with 2 different keys. Changing these keys can also be quite tedious.
hash functions
Another type of cryptographic system is the hash function. Hash functions take random input values and produce a fixed output value that can be used to identify the user for private data retrieval.
It is a more complex mechanism and hash algorithms are more secure cryptographic systems.
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encryption applications
Now that we have covered the different aspects of cryptography, let's look at one more aspect. Here is a brief overview of the 3 main uses of cryptography.
encryption applications
digital currency
A well-known application of cryptography is digital currency, where cryptocurrencies are traded over the Internet. Major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin,etherand Ripple have been developed and commercialized over time.
With the advent of cashless economies, digital currencies have captured the world's attention. Not regulated by governments or banks, cryptocurrencies are our near future.
block chain technologyhas a lot to do with this app. Several blockchain nodes are equipped with cryptography that allows you to operate securely.cryptocurrencyin a digital accounting system.
These books are protected, maintained, and cannot be viewed by any other person or organization.
electronic commerce
With the current pandemic tying us to our homes, the rise of e-commerce has been tremendous. Who wouldn't want the convenience of shopping in the living room and receiving baskets the next morning?
However, there is something we need to know about e-commerce to understand how it works.ecommerce startupsallow us to purchase items online and pay for them online.
These transactions are encrypted and cannot be altered by third parties. Furthermore, the passwords we set for these websites are also key protected to ensure that no hacker has access to our e-commerce details for malicious purposes.
military operations
The applications of cryptography in the military are well known. Military operations have also long benefited from cryptography. Military encryption devices, used to encrypt military communication channels, convert actual communication signals so that enemies cannot learn your future plans.
Simply put, encryption securely transmits messages from one end to the other without hostile forces intercepting the true meaning. This is a very important application of cryptology, as it can be used both in public and in private.
On a large scale, it can be widely used to declare wars and send important messages without the involvement of a messenger. Contrary to traditional times, this technology can be used precisely to increase the military might of a nation.
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Final note
In the end, it would be imperative to say that cryptography has real-world applications that are unavoidable. As a virtual world develops, it becomes important for crypto operations in many areas.
Whether it is financial transactions or military communications, everyone is talking about crypto. A process to transfer messages without allowing access to third-party encryption has become essential.
However, it is also used for malicious purposes that have given way to ethical hacking operations. Perhaps time will tell if the correct use of cryptography will outweigh its harmful purposes.