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

This encryption ensures user data remains secure, even on public or unsecured networks.

From Salon

Now, regarding the supported VPN and encryption protocols, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

From Salon

A US physicist and a Canadian computer scientist have won this year's Turing Award for their invention of a form of seemingly unbreakable encryption.

From BBC

Those last two categories could supercharge artificial intelligence, and could break current encryption technology, requiring banks and other institutions to develop new methods of keeping their data safe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Microsoft said users can manage and delete their information, and any data and conversations are kept separate from the general Copilot chat on the app using encryption and strict access controls.

From The Wall Street Journal