About data encryption
Encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm (called cipher) to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key.“(Wikipedia excerpt)
Encryption has long been used by militaries and governments to facilitate secret communication. Encryption is now used in protecting information within many kinds of civilian systems, such as computers, storage devices networks, mobile telephones, wireless microphones, wireless intercom systems, Bluetooth devices and bank automatic teller machines. Encryption is used in digital rights management to prevent unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted material and in software to protect against reverse engineering…”
Encryption, when applied in personal computing, refers to the process of hiding data from view for reasons of confidentiality. The user may choose to encrypt certain email, files, folders or whole file systems to render them useless to those who don’t possess the unlocking key. This practice prevents exposure of sensitive personal or corporate confidential data in the event of a security breach, computer or hard disk theft, hacking or other threats.