Every modern computer has a tool to encrypt data in order to make it unreadable by unauthorized parties without a key. What is encryption and how does it work? This article explains how encryption protects sensitive information from hackers.

Data encryption is the process of turning readable information into coded text that can only be deciphered with the authentic passwords of authorized users. It is an essential element of cyber-security, which ensures board computer protection software the security of data and protects confidential information from being accessed by unauthorised users.

An encryption method that is commonly used makes use of cryptographic mathematical models to transform the original data into a confusing collection of characters that isn’t easily readable (known as ciphertext). The encryption algorithm “scrambles” individual bits in a random manner to ensure that it takes an enormous amount of computing power to figure out the key and then convert it back to plaintext.

For instance, if employ the most popular type of encryption, referred to AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for your digital files, each one of the ones and zeros that make up it is scrambled ten times, creating an uni-random pattern. Without the right key to read it, the computer would need to run for a long time trying to arrange them in the right order.

Encryption also serves to prevent ransomware attacks and leaks of information. Hackers who steal encrypted data are unable to read the data and cannot blackmail the company, or the person involved by threatening to release the stolen information onto the dark web. Also, encryption protects backup systems against hackers, since they cannot access the data in its original format.