encryption

American  

[en-krip-shuhn] / ɛnˈkrɪp ʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of converting messages into cipher or code.

   During World War II, the encryption process involved code tables and a machine.

2. Computers. the act or practice of changing digital data into a form that cannot be read without converting it back using a unique key.

   Though its data encryption is strong, the app has other security flaws exploited by hackers.

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encryption Cultural  

1. The process of encoding a message so that it can be read only by the sender and the intended recipient. Encryption systems often use two keys, a public key, available to anyone, and a private key that allows only the recipient to decode the message. (See also cryptography.)

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Etymology

Origin of encryption

First recorded in 1940–45; 1960–65 encryption for def. 2; encrypt ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

TikTok told the BBC it believed end-to-end encryption prevented police and safety teams from being able to read direct messages if they needed to.

From BBC

The iPhone’s encryption is as strong as it was before the FBI came knocking, because it is an architectural property of the device.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even the fastest supercomputers struggle with certain complex tasks, such as discovering new medicines or breaking advanced encryption.

From Science Daily

In his view, although alternatives have been available for decades, clients are sticking with mainframe for a host of reasons: reliability and speed advantages, better cost efficiency at scale, and security such as quantum-safe encryption.

From Barron's

Unlike WhatsApp, Max appears to lack end-to-end encryption, meaning messages are not scrambled while travelling between the reader and sender and could possibly be retained by the state.

From Barron's