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Encryption

Encryption scrambles data using a secret code or key so that only someone with the key can read it, protecting confidential information sent online. It works using advanced mathematics to scramble a message with a large digital key. While important for privacy, encryption can slow websites and require digital certificates that add costs, so it is mainly used for sensitive transactions like online shopping through secure payment gateways.

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17 views2 pages

Encryption

Encryption scrambles data using a secret code or key so that only someone with the key can read it, protecting confidential information sent online. It works using advanced mathematics to scramble a message with a large digital key. While important for privacy, encryption can slow websites and require digital certificates that add costs, so it is mainly used for sensitive transactions like online shopping through secure payment gateways.

Uploaded by

ss_a
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is .......... Encryption?

What is it?

Encryption means to scramble data in such a way that only someone with the secret code / key can
read it.

Why is it important?

Today, encryption is far more sophisticated, but it serves the same purpose - to pass a secret message
from one place to another without anyone else being able to read it.

Encryption is extremely important for e-commerce as it allows confidential information such as your
credit card details to be sent safely to the online shop you are visiting.

Web browsers are able to encrypt your purchase details using an encryption method called 'SSL'
(Secure Socket Layer). You know this is switched on when a small padlock appears in the bottom
right of the browser. SSL gets switched on when you visit a 'secure server' that has an address that
starts with HTTPS:// (note the 'S').

How does it work?

Encryption works by scrambling the original message with a very large digital number (key). This is
done using advanced mathematics. Commercial-level encryption uses 128 bit key that is very, very
hard to crack. The computer receiving the message knows the digital key and so is able to work out the
original message.
Why don't we use it all the time?

There are three problems.

a) It is slower than normal browsing. It takes a while for the browser to do the maths required to
scramble the message and another delay on the server that has to unscramble the data.

b) Online shops have to have a digital certificate that contains part of the key. This is not free and has
to be supplied by a 'certificate authority'.

c) It can be a complicated business running a secure server, so very often, ordinary online shops will
hire a specialist 'Payment Gateway' such as 'WorldPay' or 'Paypal' to handle payments for them.

Any more about encryption?

Yes, it is going to appear more and more in your home as DRM (Digital Rights Management) is used
to encrypt downloaded music or to copy-protect DVD's.

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