Encryption

It ensures that sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details, is protected from unauthorized access. The data can only be decrypted and understood by someone who has the correct key.

The Principle of Encryption to Secure Data

Encryption secures data as it travels across networks by scrambling it into an unreadable format. Even if the data is intercepted during transmission, it remains secure because the person intercepting it cannot understand it without the correct key. This is essential in protecting personal information and maintaining privacy over the internet, especially in activities like online banking, email communication, and file transfers.

Types of Encryption

Caesar Cipher

• A simple encryption technique where each letter in the message is shifted by a certain number of places in the alphabet.
• For example, shifting "A" by 3 would make it "D". It is easy to break but introduces the concept of encryption.

Symmetric Encryption

• The same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting the data.
• Both parties must have access to the secret key, making key management crucial.
• It's faster but less secure if the key is intercepted.

Public Key Encryption (Asymmetric Encryption)

• Uses two keys: a public key to encrypt the data and a private key to decrypt it.
• The public key is shared openly, but the private key is kept secret by the receiver.
• More secure since only the private key holder can decrypt the data.

Encryption for Wi-Fi Security

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) are common encryption methods used to secure Wi-Fi networks.
• WEP is older and less secure, while WPA and newer versions like WPA2 offer stronger encryption and better protection against unauthorized access to the network.