Definition: Cryptography is associated with the process of converting ordinary plain text into unintelligible text and vice-versa. It is a method of storing and transmitting data in a particular form so that only those for whom it is intended can read and process it. Cryptography not only protects data from theft or alteration, but can also be used for user authentication. Show Description: Earlier cryptography was effectively synonymous with encryption but nowadays cryptography is mainly based on mathematical theory and computer science practice. Modern cryptography concerns with: Confidentiality - Information cannot be understood by anyone Integrity - Information cannot be altered. Non-repudiation - Sender cannot deny his/her intentions in the transmission of the information at a later stage Authentication - Sender and receiver can confirm each Cryptography is used in many applications like banking transactions cards, computer passwords, and e- commerce transactions. Three types of cryptographic techniques used in general. 1. Symmetric-key cryptography 2. Hash functions. 3. Public-key cryptography Symmetric-key Cryptography: Both the sender and receiver share a single key. The sender uses this key to encrypt plaintext and send the cipher text to the receiver. On the other side the receiver applies the same key to decrypt the message and recover the plain text. Public-Key Cryptography: This is the most revolutionary concept in the last 300-400 years. In Public-Key Cryptography two related keys (public and private key) are used. Public key may be freely distributed, while its paired private key, remains a secret. The public key is used for encryption and for decryption private key is used. Hash Functions: No key is used in this algorithm. A fixed-length hash value is computed as per the plain text that makes it impossible for the contents of the plain text to be recovered. Hash functions are also used by many operating systems to encrypt passwords.
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What is the process of transforming data into unreadable form?Encryption is the method by which information is converted into secret code that hides the information's true meaning. The science of encrypting and decrypting information is called cryptography. In computing, unencrypted data is also known as plaintext, and encrypted data is called ciphertext.
Which is the process of converting data to an unrecognizable or encrypted form?Encryption is the process of converting data into an unrecognizable format in order to protect it. This conversion is accomplished by using one or more cryptographic keys. Each key is a string of data, such as letters and numbers, that creates a unique encryption of the original information.
What is the name of the key used to decrypt data?A session key is an encryption and decryption key that is randomly generated to ensure the security of a communications session between a user and another computer or between two computers. Session keys are sometimes called symmetric keys because the same key is used for both encryption and decryption.
Can you decrypt data without a key?No, not with the current hardware if a good encryption method was used and the key (password) was long enough. Unless there is a flaw in the algorithm and that you know it, your only option is to brute force it which might takes hundred of years.
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