encryption

American  

[en-krip-shuhn] / ɛnˈkrɪp ʃən /

noun

encryptions plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• encryptions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of encryption

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

Explanation

Encryption is the process of translating something into a code, so that data is protected, hidden, or concealed. Encryption makes it difficult for hackers to steal people's credit card numbers. If there's information worth stealing, encryption is used to protect it — especially when it comes to computer or electronic data that holds financial, private, or dangerous material. Governments use encryption to hide classified information, and banks use it to protect their customers' money and other data. Crypt- has been used to mean "secret or hidden" since the 1700s, and it comes from a Greek root, kryptos, "hidden or concealed."

Example Sentences

They also break down a major vulnerability in email encryption.

From Slate • May 16, 2018

As a computer-science student at the University of Milan in the ’90s, he became fascinated by cryptography; he corresponded with programmers around the world about new cryptographic theories and wrote code for email encryption.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2017

PGP email encryption, especially, is very annoying to use.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2015

After Glenn Greenwald almost missed out on the story of a lifetime for not having set-up PGP email encryption, more journalists than ever now have set up more secure methods for sources to contact them.

From The Guardian • Jun. 5, 2014

To help IT managers, there is a growing number of third-party security options, such as email encryption and technology, that allow IT managers to remotely control data on personal phones.

From Reuters • Jul. 1, 2011