encryption
the process of encoding information
The process of changing information into a secret code so that only people with a special key or password can read it.
use [encryption] to protect [data]
- The messaging app uses end-to-end encryption to keep your conversations private.
- New regulations require strong encryption for all customer payment data.
- Hackers were unable to read the files because the encryption had not been broken.
- You should enable encryption on your laptop in case it gets stolen.
- The company upgraded its email encryption after a major security breach.
- This website uses encryption to protect your credit card number.
- Turn on encryption on your phone so other people cannot read your messages.
- Because of the encryption, the stolen files were useless to the thieves.
- Good encryption makes online banking safer for users.
- The IT team is responsible for setting up encryption on all company computers.
- Base: encryption
- Plural: encryption, encryptions
data encryption
1encrypting stored or sent data
Using encryption to protect information that is saved on a device or sent over a network.
- The bank invests heavily in data encryption to protect customer records.
- Good data encryption is essential for any online store.
encryption at rest
1encryption of stored data
Encryption that protects data while it is stored on a device or server, not moving over a network.
- The cloud provider offers encryption at rest for all customer databases.
- Regulations now require encryption at rest for medical records.
encryption in transit
1encryption of data being sent
Encryption that protects data while it is moving from one place to another over a network, like the internet.
- The service guarantees encryption in transit for all user communications.
- Without encryption in transit, attackers could read the data as it moves across the network.
encryption key
1secret value for encrypting data
A special piece of information, like a long password or code, that a computer uses to encrypt or decrypt data.
- If you lose your encryption key, you may never be able to open those files again.
- The hackers managed to steal the encryption key from the server.
end-to-end encryption
1encryption between sender and recipient
A type of encryption where messages are protected so that only the sender and the final receiver can read them, not even the service provider.
- Most modern chat apps now offer end-to-end encryption by default.
- The company advertised that its calls are protected with end-to-end encryption.
file encryption
1encrypting individual files
Using encryption to protect one or more specific files, instead of an entire device or disk.
- You can use this tool for simple file encryption before sending documents by email.
- File encryption is useful when you only need to protect a few sensitive documents.
full-disk encryption
1encrypting an entire storage drive
Encryption that protects everything on a hard drive or disk, so no files can be read without the correct password or key.
- Many laptops now ship with full-disk encryption turned on by default.
- Full-disk encryption helps protect sensitive data if a device is lost or stolen.
military-grade encryption
1very strong, high-level encryption
A marketing or technical phrase meaning very strong encryption, similar to what the military might use.
- The password manager advertises military-grade encryption for all your stored passwords.
- They claimed their product used military-grade encryption to protect user data.
public-key encryption
1encryption using separate public and private keys
A kind of encryption that uses two different keys: one public key to lock (encrypt) the data and a different private key to unlock (decrypt) it.
- Secure websites rely on public-key encryption to protect traffic between your browser and the server.
- Public-key encryption makes it possible to send secure messages to people you have never met.
strong encryption
1encryption that is hard to break
Encryption that uses modern, complex methods so that it is extremely hard or practically impossible to crack.
- The service promises strong encryption for all stored files.
- Using strong encryption is one of the best ways to keep hackers out.