Security and privacy are becoming a requirement of online communication. Whether through emails, texts, social media, web browsing, or paperwork, we want our information to remain inaccessible to those seeking to use our data for harm. Encryption has become a necessary offering for many sites and applications as it provides essential privacy and security. Additionally, it can be helpful for authentication, complying with security regulations, and retaining data integrity.
What is encryption?
Encryption scrambles text to make It unrecognizable. So, for example, if you send a text to someone, the text will not be affected; the recipient can still read it normally. But when the text is stored or transmitted somewhere else, the content of the text is completely jumbled, making it so any other parties can’t read it.
Encryption makes use of plaintext and ciphertext to work. The plaintext is your raw input. The encryption program then uses a cryptographic key, the cipher, to ‘randomize’ the ciphertext, the text that gets stored. Ciphertext appears like a random assortment of symbols and letters, but the cryptographic key decides how to scramble your plaintext. Cryptographic keys need to be complex enough that someone could not decrypt the ciphertext by guessing the key. Then, only someone with access to the specific key used to encrypt the data can ‘unlock’ it or decrypt it.
There are two primary types of encryption: symmetric and asymmetric encryption.
The number of keys used in the encryption process determines if the encryption is symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric encryption, the same key is used by the sender and receiver to decrypt data. This makes symmetric encryption fast but is more limited when compared to asymmetric encryption.
Asymmetric encryption is often used for websites and large amounts of sensitive data. Asymmetric encryption uses a public key and a private key. Either key can be used to encrypt a message, and then the other is used to decrypt. The difference between asymmetric encryption and symmetric encryption is that two different keys, asymmetric keys, exist in asymmetric encryption.
How is encryption used on websites?
Encryption can be used in various ways on websites and is the foundation for HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). When building a website, you will have the option to obtain either a TLS (Transport Layer Security) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which brings encryption, giving you an HTTPS instead of HTTP. These technologies encrypt requests sent to your website so that users’ data and information remain secure. Encryption is also important to authenticate your website to ensure that users are accessing the correct site.
What are the benefits of encryption?
Encryption is necessary for several factors. First, encryption is needed to make communications private. Encryption allows only the sender and the recipient to access the data, preventing your ISP, ads, government organizations, and cyber-attacks from accessing your data. Similarly, encryption mitigates the negative impacts of data breaches. Even if data is stolen, the data will remain encrypted and thus unusable without the key. Additionally, there are government regulations that require companies to encrypt specific sensitive user data. Encryption allows businesses and organizations to adhere to these regulations.
Hotwire Networks offers SSL certificates. SSL certificates can secure your site and add trust & confidence for your visitors. With a range of brands, we have the right certificate for all your site security needs.
